Martin Guitars Custom Shop HD-28

Sonic Evaluation

Wildwoodians, I want to carry this glorious Custom Shop HD-28 around with me for my whole work day because I can't bear for my fingers to leave its fretboard. Sure, it might make the logistics of accomplishing my assigned tasks difficult, but we'll caulk the wagon and float across that river when we get to it. I'm absolutely O B S E S S E D! It has a big, bold voice with the perfect amount of brightness. The lows are deep and chocolate-y, and the E string is a certified rib-rattler. The highs are so sweet and rich that they sound like sugar spun by angels in heaven. This guitar's chime and jangle are simply otherworldly, and the deep warm bass response complements and balances them perfectly.

This guitar also has a lovely sag in the attack, which gives you a beautiful musical compression that presents the pick attack with stunning percussive accuracy. Some acoustics with a "squishy" attack splat out when you play hard, but this serial never sounds harsh, even when someone like me with a sledgehammer for a right hand like me plays it. All that happens is sweet, musical compression that results in an embarrassment of complex, silver-hued overtones that blend together beautifully.

Although this guitar is PLENTY loud, it's not necessarily a banjo killer. However, it's one of the greatest jangle machines I've ever played, because such guitars also rarely have this much low-end. And, its articulation allows it to punch through the mix. I suspect this guitar would be a lethal weapon in the studio for rhythm track and leads.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go inform my coworkers that I will not be completing any of my regularly scheduled duties today as they would interfere with my ability to play this guitar more.