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

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