Introduction
Martin guitars have a long and storied history dating back to 1833 when Christian Frederick Martin started building instruments in New York City after immigrating from Germany. The company that bears his name has pioneered many innovations in acoustic guitar design over the decades and built instruments played by iconic musicians from Hank Williams to Eric Clapton.
The Martin 00-28 is one of the company’s most revered models, known for its rich, balanced tone and excellent playability in a compact body size. First introduced in the early 20th century, the 00 body style was derived from Martin’s even smaller parlor guitars to produce a comfortable, articulate instrument well suited to fingerstyle playing.
Over the years, the 00-28 has cemented its reputation as a versatile workhorse acoustic that excels at a wide variety of musical styles. With a Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, this guitar produces a detailed, nuanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The addition of scalloped bracing gives the 00-28 impressive volume and projection from its small body size.
At around $3,299, the 00-28 sits near the top of Martin’s product lineup, representing the company’s finest craftsmanship and tonewoods in a comfortable, grab-and-go package designed for the discerning player. This in-depth review will explore what makes the 00-28 such a special instrument.
Martin 00-28 Specifications
The Martin 00-28 features a compact 00-14 fret auditorium body shape with all solid tonewoods. The top is constructed from premium solid Sitka spruce, which imparts clarity and volume. The back and sides are solid Indian rosewood, which adds warmth and complexity to the tone.
Some key specifications include:
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce
- Back and sides: Solid Indian rosewood
- Neck: Solid mahogany
- Fretboard: Ebony with 20 frets
- Scale length: 25.4"
- Nut width: 1 11/16"
- Bridge: Ebony belly-style bridge
- Bracing: Scalloped "X" bracing
- Hardware: Chrome enclosed tuners
The neck is carved from solid mahogany into a comfortable, slim profile that makes playing easier up and down the neck. It joins the body at the 14th fret in traditional Martin style with a dovetail joint.
The ebony fretboard and bridge provide crisp note articulation, while the 25.4" scale length and 1 11/16" nut width give the 00-28 a very playable feel. Overall the materials and construction deliver the premium tone and playability that Martin guitars are revered for.
Sound and Tonal Characteristics
The Martin 00-28 delivers a wonderfully balanced and articulate tone perfect for fingerstyle playing. The rosewood back and sides provide a pleasing warmth and resonance in the low-mids, while the Sitka spruce top offers excellent clarity and sparkle in the treble registers. There’s enough punch for light strumming, but the 00-28 really excels when played fingerstyle.
Compared to Martin’s iconic D-28 model, the 00-28 has a slightly darker and more focused sound. The smaller body enhances the midrange presence, and you don’t get quite as much booming bass as on a D-28. Tonally, the 00-28 sits nicely between Martin’s 000 and OM body styles – more intimate than a 000 but with better projection than a OM. Many players feel the 00-28 captures the essence of Martin’s signature sound in a compact package.
The 00-28 has a very balanced and refined voice right out of the box, but truly opens up and evolves with play over time. As with any quality acoustic guitar, the tone becomes richer and more nuanced the more the top vibrates and the woods mature. The 00-28 offers a lifetime of tonal discovery.
Playability and Feel
The 00-28 features Martin’s Modified Low Oval neck shape, which provides a slim and comfortable feel across the back of the neck. This makes chording and moving up and down the neck very smooth.
The action on the 00-28 is set low from the factory, making it easy to fret notes and facilitating intricate fingerpicking patterns. There is very little resistance when pressing down the strings, allowing you to play with ease.
Overall, the 00-28 offers excellent playability that will appeal to fingerstyle players. The compact body size and slim neck profile make wrapping your hand around the neck very comfortable. Whether you’re playing chords, scales, or fingerstyle melodies, the 00-28 feels natural. The light string tension allows for effortless bending as well.
While the smaller body doesn’t offer as much projection for aggressive strumming, the 00-28 certainly holds its own for normal chording and picking. The clear note articulation also helps your playing shine through in any musical setting. This is an extremely playable instrument all around.
Craftsmanship and Build Quality
Martin’s reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail is clearly evident in the 00-28 model. This guitar exemplifies the fine woodworking and hand-built construction methods that Martin is renowned for.
The fit and finish on the 00-28 is flawless, with tight seam joins and smooth, polished finishes. Martin uses only the highest grade tonewoods, such as solid Sitka spruce for the top and East Indian rosewood for the back and sides. These woods are expertly bookmatched and complemented by appointments like an ebony fretboard and bone nut and saddle.
The neck is carved from a single piece of genuine mahogany and attached using a traditional mortise and tenon or "dovetail" joint, ensuring stability and resonance. The bracing is hand-carved and scalloped in Martin’s distinctive X-pattern, which allows the top to vibrate freely. Even small details like the herringbone binding and rosette patterns are executed with immaculate precision on the 00-28.
Martin’s time-tested construction methods, like hide glue assembly and hand-fitting each component, result in guitars built to last a lifetime and sound better with age. Each 00-28 exemplifies Martin’s commitment to making instruments of exceptional tonewoods, playability, and build quality by master craftspeople.
Martin 00-28 Variations and Special Editions
The Martin 00-28 comes in several variations that offer different features, appointments, and pricing. Here are some of the most popular 00-28 models beyond the standard version:
Martin 00-28 Modern Deluxe
The 00-28 Modern Deluxe amps up the specs and appointments to deliver optimal tone and playability. It features a torrefied spruce top for enhanced resonance and sustain. The bracing is Martin’s forward-shifted pattern with A-frame "X" style, optimized for today’s steel strings. It also has an ebony bridge and bone nut and saddle. These features combine to make the 00-28 Modern Deluxe one of the highest performing 00-28 models.
Martin 00-28 Vintage
For players seeking an authentic vintage vibe, the 00-28 Vintage nails the look and feel of a well-played original 00-28. It features extensive relic’ing and aging to mimic decades of use. The Vintage also uses hide glue construction and distressed finishes. Sonically, it aims to capture the rich, complex tone of a vintage 00-28 that has been "played in" over many years.
Custom Shop and Limited Editions
Martin’s Custom Shop has produced a variety of limited 00-28 editions over the years. These include versions with exotic tonewoods like koa and walnut, ornate pearl inlays, unique bracing patterns, and other premium appointments. While pricing is significantly higher, they offer unmatched looks, tone, and collectibility for Martin enthusiasts.
Pricing and Value
The Martin 00-28 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $3,299 for a new instrument. This positions the 00-28 in the upper tier of premium acoustic guitars, competing with offerings from Taylor, Gibson, Larrivee, and other high-end brands.
While not inexpensive, the 00-28 represents a good value relative to other all-solid wood guitars with similar features and build quality. Martin’s reputation for impeccable craftsmanship and the use of top-grade materials helps the 00-28 retain its value extremely well over time.
On the used market, it’s common to find 00-28 models priced from $2,500 to $3,000 depending on their condition and age. Well-cared for examples that are only a few years old tend to sell for around 80-90% of the new MSRP. Vintage 00-28 models from the 1960s and earlier can fetch upwards of $4,000-5,000 among collectors.
The 00-28’s steady resale value is a testament to Martin’s heritage and the model’s esteemed reputation. For players seeking a lifetime acoustic guitar, the 00-28 is an investment that will hold its worth and potentially appreciate over decades of ownership.
Ideal Player
The Martin 00-28 is best suited for fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, and folk/indie musicians who appreciate the nuances of a finely crafted acoustic guitar. The compact body size and articulate tone make it ideal for intricate fingerpicking patterns and chord voicings. The balanced EQ allows the guitar to record beautifully in a home studio setting.
While versatile for multiple styles, the 00-28 does have some limitations. The smaller body lacks the bass response for heavy strumming, so rhythm players may find it too bright and zingy. The lack of onboard electronics also requires adding an aftermarket pickup system for amplification or live performance. The premium price tag puts it out of reach for many casual players as well.
Overall, the 00-28 is a specialist instrument suited for discerning players who can take full advantage of the tone and playability. The ideal user is a guitarist with advanced technical skills looking to upgrade to a lifetime instrument. While not the cheapest Martin available, it delivers outstanding quality and tone for fingerstylists and singer-songwriters.
Demo Video
To hear the Martin 00-28 in action and really appreciate its rich, nuanced tone, check out this video from the Acoustic Letter channel. This detailed demo really allows the guitar’s voice to shine through on fingerstyle passages, strumming, and varied dynamics.
You can instantly hear the crispness and clarity in the high end, along with the guitar’s balanced mids and tight low end. As the player digs in during the strumming portions, you get a sense of the 00-28’s dynamic range as well. Overall an excellent showcase of this guitar’s warm, well-rounded tone.
Conclusion
The Martin 00-28 stands out as one of the finest small-bodied acoustic guitars available today. Its impressive craftsmanship, premium tonewoods, and balanced sound profile make it a versatile instrument suitable for fingerstyle, folk, singer-songwriter, and other styles requiring an articulate, nuanced voice.
While the 00-28 commands a premium price point, it’s an investment that can last a lifetime if properly maintained. The guitar’s excellent construction and high-end appointments ensure it will retain excellent playability and hold its value on the used market.
For players who demand the very best in a compact acoustic, the 00-28 comes highly recommended. It’s the pinnacle of Martin’s storied 00 line, offering exceptional tone and playability in an comfortable, easy to handle package.
Interested buyers should seek out an authorized Martin dealer to try the 00-28 in person. It’s worth playing several examples to find one that resonates with your playing style. While the overall craftsmanship is superb on all 00-28 models, there can be slight variation in tone and feel between individual guitars.
Take the time to properly evaluate alternatives like the Modern Deluxe and Vintage Series. For those with the budget, these premium versions offer upgraded appointments and collectibility.
Whichever 00-28 you choose, proper care and maintenance will keep it sounding its best for years to come. Be sure to keep it in a humidity-controlled environment and out of direct sunlight. Schedule professional setups as needed to preserve optimal playability. Follow these guidelines, and a 00-28 can become a cherished lifetime companion.