Martin Guitars Custom Shop HD-28

Sonic Evaluation

This Custom Shop HD-28 is a flatpicker's dream! It has tons of headroom, it's loud as all-git-out, and it sounds rich and robust without sounding tubby so chords ring out clearly and single notes sound punchy. In other words, it's a purpose-built banjo killer! The low-end is deep and delightfully warm, and the low E string will rattle your ribs and make your liver quiver. The midrange packs more of a punch than we expect from a rosewood-bodied dreadnought, and the highs have an embarrassment of sweet overtones.

Overall, it has just the right level of harmonic complexity: enough that a high note near the tenth fret sounded so pretty that the hair stood up on arms, but not so much as to be muddy. Beyond that, it has a stout, springy attack with just a hair of compression that can stand up to ruthless bluegrass flogging even if you have a hammer for a right hand. Surprisingly, it also works well as a fingerstyle guitar thanks to its responsiveness--it sounds really warm and open, although you do have to work a little harder to get the top moving.

Basically, if you're looking for a 28-style dread with serious muscle and plenty of richness, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

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