When Martin refined the dreadnought design in the '30s, the Style-28 rosewood dreadnought had bold Herringbone purfling around the top edge. Since then, that Herringbone trim has been known as a sign of robust Martin dreadnought tone. So much so that a good '30s D-28 is often called a "Herringbone."
Introduced by popular demand in 1976, the Martin HD-28 includes many of the features players and collectors prize about prewar Martin dreadnoughts. Refreshed in 2025 with Golden Era spaces to enhance tone, comfort, and style, the HD-28 now has the same Sitka spruce GE top bracing you find on the Modern Deluxe Series. The bracing helps the model consistently deliver vintage-inspired tone and sustain, and updates like a reimagined neck profile, thinner fingerboard, and refined bridge and heel improve playability and aesthetics.
This HD-28 features a solid Spruce top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides. Like the original D-28s of the '30s, its top is supported by Golden Era scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing. The result is accurate, expressive response, and like every good Martin dreadnought, a voice that wants to launch across the room. Of course, an HD-28 wouldn't be an HD-28 without Martin's iconic Herringbone purling, and we think the light aging toner and Antique White binding give this HD-28 the look it needs to honor the classic dreadnoughts that came before it.
One note: There is a cosmetic imperfection on the bass side of the top, right along the edge of the lower bout. See photos! Brand new guitar with warranty, but worth pointing out.
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Back & Sides: Solid East Indian Rosewood
- Bracing: Forward-Shifted, GE-Scalloped 5/16" X-Bracing
- Nut: Bone, 1-3/4"
- Neck Profile: Golden Era Modified Low Profile w/ High Performance Taper
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Solid Ebony
- Saddle: Compensated Bone, 2-5/32" string spacing
- Top Inlay Material: Bold Herringbone
- Tuning Machines: Open-Gear Grover w/ Butterbean buttons