Introduction
The Martin 000-28 is one of the most iconic acoustic guitars ever created, with a rich history dating back to 1934. This model helped establish Martin as the premier American acoustic guitar builder and cemented their reputation for impeccable craftsmanship and tone.
First introduced in 1934 as an orchestra model, the 000-28 featured Martin’s signature 14-fret 000 body shape with a sleek slotted headstock. It quickly became popular with players who wanted a responsive, balanced tone in a comfortable size. By 1945, the 000-28 was established as one of Martin’s flagship models.
Over the decades, the 000-28 has been continuously refined while retaining the same exceptional build quality and acoustic properties that made it an instant classic. Everything about this guitar exemplifies Martin’s meticulous attention to detail, from the carefully chosen tonewoods to the immaculate fretwork and finishing touches.
The 000-28 is renowned for its warm yet articulate and balanced tone. The combination of premium Sitka spruce tops with East Indian rosewood back and sides produces a rich, complex sound with excellent note definition. It’s equally adept at delicate fingerpicking as it is aggressive strumming.
When it comes to playability, the 000-28 sets the bar high with its comfortable neck profile, low action, and silky feel on the strings. The craftsmanship inspires confidence in the player, allowing full expression and dynamic control.
Simply put, the Martin 000-28 embodies everything expected from a top-tier acoustic guitar in terms of tone, playability, aesthetics, and workmanship. It remains an aspirational instrument for many players and still garners acclaim as one of the finest flat-top guitars money can buy. The 000-28 has earned its place in history as a true classic.
Martin 000-28 Specs & Features
The Martin 000-28 has the classic 000 (triple-0) body shape, with a width of 14.9" and depth of 4.1". This compact Auditorium style body produces a focused, articulate tone perfect for fingerpicking.
The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, which provides crispness and clarity in the highs along with good projection. The back and sides are solid East Indian rosewood, which imparts a warm, rich midrange and excellent bass response.
The 000-28 uses forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing. This bracing pattern maximizes resonance and volume while retaining the clarity of the spruce top.
The neck is carved from genuine mahogany in Martin’s Modified Low Oval profile, which feels extremely comfortable and smooth in the hand. The fingerboard is ebony with 20 frets and pearl dot inlays.
The guitar features a compensated ebony bridge with a PLEK precision cut bone saddle for optimal intonation. Vintage-style open-gear tuning machines with butterbean knobs provide precise and reliable tuning stability.
Sound & Tonal Characteristics
The Martin 000-28 is renowned for its beautifully balanced and articulate tone that excels across the entire frequency range. It has a clear, warm midrange that brings vocals and fingerstyle playing to life in a very pleasing way. The notes have a piano-like clarity and separation, allowing complex chords and melodic lines to ring out with definition.
Treble notes have a sweet, singing sustain without being overly bright or harsh. There is a crystalline quality in the highs that adds shimmer without crossing into brittle territory. Complimenting this are the warm, rounded lows that provide rhythmic punch and body without muddiness. Fingerstyle players will appreciate the dynamic range on tap as the 000-28 responds intuitively to different picking dynamics.
The all-mahogany neck and rosewood back and sides equip the 000-28 with incredible sustain and resonance. There is a 3D-like depth to each note that slowly blooms as you play. Chords ring out with a piano-like complexity as the rosewood adds vintage-flavored overtones. Overall, the 000-28 achieves that elusive combination of warmth and clarity that makes for an extremely versatile and responsive instrument.
To hear the 000-28’s exemplary tonal balance in action, take a listen to the following sound clips:
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Playability & Feel
The Martin 000-28 has a luxurious, easy-playing feel that makes it a joy to play for extended periods. It starts with the modified low oval neck profile, which is comfortable and ergonomic for most hand sizes. The nut width of 1 3/4" provides ample room for fingerpicking without being too wide for chordal playing.
The 000-28 excels when it comes to playability and feel due to its flawless setup right out of the case. It has low, buzz-free action from the PLEK precision fretwork, allowing for effortless fretting and string bending. The guitar also responds beautifully to a light touch, with dynamic and nuanced tone from the lightest brush of the strings. Yet it handles aggressive strumming extremely well too.
Overall, the 000-28 offers a sublime playing experience worthy of a premium Martin acoustic. The neck shape, nut width, low action, and tactile tone make it feel like an extension of the player. It’s evident from the very first strum that this is an extraordinarily comfortable and playable acoustic guitar. For many players, the 000-28’s ease of playability even inspires their creativity and musicality.
Craftsmanship & Aesthetics
The Martin 000-28 is the pinnacle of acoustic guitar craftsmanship, with an impeccable attention to detail that is evident across every inch of the instrument. Each 000-28 is hand-built by Martin’s most experienced luthiers, using techniques perfected over the company’s nearly two centuries of guitar-making expertise.
The fretwork on the 000-28 is immaculate and precise, with carefully crowned and polished frets sitting perfectly on the ebony fingerboard. This precision translates into silky smooth playability up and down the neck. The intricate abalone and mother-of-pearl inlays are inset with flawless accuracy, adding an elegant visual flair.
The binding and purfling on the 000-28 is another mark of master craftsmanship. The body is edged with premium multi-ply binding for structural integrity and aesthetics. The classic herringbone purfling is inlaid with painstaking precision along the top’s edges and around the soundhole. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish has a deep, lustrous glow that accentuates the premium tonewoods.
Premium appointments like open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs, the ebony bridge and fingerboard, and tortoiseshell pickguard elevate the 000-28 into a class all its own. The overall fit and finish is spectacular, with Martin’s trademark attention to the smallest details that add up to perfection. Everything about the 000-28’s construction and aesthetics reaffirms its status as one of the finest acoustic guitars money can buy.
Comparing the 000-28 to Other Models
The Martin 000-28 stands out when compared to other similar acoustic guitar models, offering its own unique blend of tone, playability, and visual appeal.
Compared to its larger sibling, the 000-42, the 000-28 has a more focused and articulate midrange punch. The smaller body size results in a more balanced overall tone, while still retaining impressive bass response. The 000-42 produces deeper low-end tones thanks to its larger lower bout and body dimensions.
When looking at other 000-size Martins like the 000-18 and 000-16, the 000-28 once again provides more midrange presence and clarity. Its combination of premium tonewoods gives it an edge over these more affordable 000 models. However, the 000-18 and 000-16 offer excellent value for those on a budget.
The 000 body shape itself provides certain advantages that have made it a popular choice. Its slimmer waist and tapered shoulders result in a comfortable fit against the body. The smaller body also provides excellent balance for seated playing positions. Tonally, the 000 projects with ease while maintaining an intimate feel perfect for fingerstyle and recording applications.
Comparing the 000-28 to premium flattops from other brands like Taylor and Gibson, it holds its own with top-notch craftsmanship and the famous Martin sound. Its pricing lands in the same range as high-end models from these competitors. Ultimately, the choice comes down to player preference in terms of tone, feel, aesthetics, and brand loyalty. The 000-28 satisfies those seeking the acclaimed Martin experience.
Special Editions and Variations
The Martin 000-28 comes in a few special limited edition and customized variations that offer upgraded appointments, vintage specs, and unique aesthetics.
Modern Deluxe 000-28
The Modern Deluxe 000-28 steps up the appointments with an Adirondack spruce top, vintage toner, antiqued ivoroid binding, open-gear butterbean tuners, an ebony bridge and fingerboard, and an old-style script logo. It has a hand-rubbed nitrocellulose lacquer finish for the vintage Martin look. These special touches push the materials and craftsmanship a notch above the standard model.
Authentic 1937 000-28
From the Custom Shop comes the Authentic 1937 000-28, an exact recreation of the original 1937 model with hide glue construction, a 24.9" scale, 13/16" nut width, vintage bracing, and aged toner. It captures the look, feel, and spirit of the earliest 000-28 guitars. The vintage appointments like the script logo, slotted headstock, and butterbean tuners take you back in time.
Unique Finishes
Martin has offered limited runs of the 000-28 in Ambertone and sunburst finishes. These transparent shaded finishes add warmth and visual flair. Ambertone has a light brownish hue, while the sunburst fades from brown in the center to orange-yellow along the edges for striking looks. The figured maple binding pops against these finishes.
Other Limited Editions
Various special run 000-28 models come and go, like those made for specific retailers or new color finishes. These exclusive batches are produced in small quantities before being discontinued, making them rare and collectible. The unique specs and appointments keep 000-28 collectors on the hunt for special editions to add to their collections.
Ideal Player Profile
The Martin 000-28 is best suited for premium buyers who appreciate exceptional craftsmanship and tone. Specifically, it excels for fingerstyle players and vocalists who require an extremely responsive and articulate instrument.
While accessible for intermediate players, the 000-28 truly shines in the hands of professionals and serious hobbyists who can fully utilize its nuanced tonal palette. It delivers the refined playability, dynamic range, and studio-quality tone demanded by discerning musicians.
Fingerstylists will delight in the 000-28’s clear note separation, singing trebles, and articulate bass. The balanced tone with robust midrange is also perfect for accompanying vocals or solo singer-songwriters. Players who crave premium woods, immaculate attention to detail, and vintage appeal will feel right at home with a 000-28.
While it carries a premium price tag, the 000-28 represents a lifetime investment for those seeking the pinnacle of Martin craftsmanship. In the right hands, it unlocks its full potential to become an heirloom acoustic with vintage soul and timeless elegance. For the player who can bond with this instrument, the 000-28 offers a transcendent musical experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Exceptional tone: The 000-28 is renowned for its balanced, warm, and articulate tone. The combination of premium Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood produces incredible resonance, sustain, and harmonic complexity.
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Top-notch craftsmanship: Martin’s exacting build quality and attention to detail result in flawless fretwork, binding, inlays, and lacquer finish. Every 000-28 exhibits Martin’s passion for fine woodworking.
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Sublime playability: With its comfortable neck profile, low action, and responsive strings, the 000-28 feels luxurious to play. Bending notes and complex fingerstyle playing come easily on this guitar.
Cons
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Premium pricing: With a street price ranging from $3,599 to $3,899, the 000-28 sits at the very top end of the acoustic guitar market. The exceptional quality comes at a high cost.
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Delicate nitro finish: The thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish requires more care and maintenance compared to polyurethane finishes. Owners must be cautious to avoid chipping or cracking it.
Conclusion
The Martin 000-28 stands as one of the most revered and iconic acoustic guitars ever made, and for good reason. Its exceptional tone, sublime playability, and unparalleled craftsmanship make it a true work of art worthy of its premium pricing and status.
This guitar’s balanced and articulate tone with singing highs, warm midrange, and excellent note separation is simply stunning. Combined with the comfortable modified low oval neck, low action, and responsiveness to light playing, the 000-28 delivers an amazing playing experience few can match. Martin’s flawless attention to detail in the build, exquisite woods, and vintage appointments give the 000-28 a luxurious feel and timeless aesthetic.
In summary, the Martin 000-28 represents the pinnacle of acoustic guitar achievement. Its rich voice, buttery playability, and masterful attention to detail justify its reputation as a top-tier instrument. For discerning players seeking the ultimate fingerstyle guitar, or professionals who need a world-class flattop in the studio, the 000-28 is worth every penny. It has rightfully earned its place in the pantheon of all-time great acoustic guitars.