Sound Pure's Take
Condition: Used, Very Good
I just can't get enough of this guitar. It is truly an inspiring instrument, and it is a dream to hold for both hands! This piece from the Retro Series collection is easy to play, and I found it works for a variety of styles. It delivers smooth and powerful picking tones with speed suited for anything from Tony Rice to John Mclaughlin. As to be expected from a Dreadnought it is plenty loud but balanced enough to be perfect for solo instrumental pieces, finger-picking tunes, singer-songwriter accompaniment, or blues chuckin' and pickin'. It has such a wonderful, bright, resonant tone that I couldn't decide whether I wanted to let every chord ring or strike it again and again to hear that great percussive sound. Not only is this piece bold and powerful, but it is beautiful to look at too!
From Martin and Co.
The HD-28E Retro is a modern re-creation of the classic herringbone Dreadnought. Channeling legends like Hank Williams, this guitar carries a distinct prestige that can only come from the Retro Series collection.
C. F. Martin & Co. is inviting musicians to take a trip back in time with the introduction of a groundbreaking guitar technology available in the new four-piece Retro Series: D-18E Retro, D-45E Retro, HD-28E Retro, and OM-28E Retro. Paying homage stylistically and sonically to the iconic classic Martin guitars of the 1930’s and 40’s, this series features traditional non-cutaway Martin guitars incorporating significant advancements in plugged-in sound reproduction. The series exquisitely captures a sought-after sound, melding traditional models with state-of-the-art technology, and will appeal to musicians and guitar aficionados alike.
Martin designers dove back into the rich history residing in the Martin museum and chose world-class examples to use as “tone donors.” These guitars include a 1942 D-45, a 1941 D-28, a 1937 D-18 and a 1934 000-28 (long-scale) on loan from Vintage Instruments. Each of these guitars possesses unique tonal characteristics that can be attributed to the passing of time. The premise was to convince the new guitars into electronically behaving as if they were the museum guitars.
Developing the new Retro Series electronic foundation, Fishman electronically infused the essence of the museum instruments into the newly created Martin counterparts, a new technology for both companies. To build upon this “vintage-conditioned” sound, Martin Guitar teamed up with Fishman and Grammy Award -winning producer Bill VornDick at his historic Mountainside Studios in Nashville for a multi-step process. They utilized VornDick’s private collection of rare vintage and boutique microphones, many of which date back to the 30’s and are iconic recording industry microphones. This collection adds unique coloring to the plugged-in sound, reminiscent of the first microphones these museum guitars would have ever encountered in the professional recording studio.
The Retro series instruments are vintage in appearance but will have enhanced playability including a modern “High Performance Neck™” taper and modified low oval profile. They will all have the new Fishman F1 Aura + electronics system featuring “Easy Mode” with three pre-blended mic/pickup presets and all of the programmability and tweakability of the original F1 Aura in “Performance Mode. “
Serial Number: 2025747
Model: HD-28E Retro
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: D-14 Fret
Top Material: Sitka Spruce
Top Detail: N/A
Rosette: Style 28 Multi-Stripe
Bracing Pattern: Forward Shifted X Brace
Brace Shape: Scalloped
Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
Brace Size: 5/16"
Back Material: East Indian Rosewood
Back Detail: N/A
Back Purfling/Strip: Zig-Zag
Side Material: East Indian Rosewood
Side Detail: N/A
Endpiece: None
Endpiece Inlay: None
Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Top Inlay Material: Bold Herringbone
Side Inlay Material: None
Back Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
Plek: Yes
Nut Material: Bone
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Detail: N/A
Headplate Logo Style: Script Old Style Overlay
Headplate Binding Material: N/A
Heelcap: Grained Ivoroid
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Scale Length: 25.4"
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Number of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4''
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8''
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone
Fingerboard Inlay Style: Diamonds and Squares Long Pattern
Fingerboard Binding Material: N/A
Side Dots: White
Back and Side Finish: Gloss
Back and Sides Color: N/A
Finish Top: Gloss
Top Color: Aging Toner
Finish Neck: Satin
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Style: 1930 Style Belly - Drop in Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2 3/16''
Saddle: Compensated White Tusq
Saddle Radius: 16"
Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear
Recommended Strings: SP LIFESPAN 92/8 PHOSPHOR BRONZE MEDIUM (MSP7200)
Knob: Butterbean
Bridge Pin Material: White Plastic
Bridge Pin Dots: Faux Tortoise
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise
Pickguard Inlay: N/A
Case: Ply Hardshell
Label: N/A
Electronics: Fishman Aura VT Blend
Warranty
This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Returns
Try Before You Buy: 48-hour audition. Program details →
You may also like
Browse Dreadnought →
Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC
Come hear it in our control rooms.
Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.