martin HD 28v advice

chasingchet · #1 10-13-2017, 06:39 AM

Hey everyone ....posted a thread few days ago about martin d35 vs d41...Once again I am getting back into acoustic playing again LOVING the martin sound...searching for a great all around guitar...played a couple of hd28v yesterday in Guitar center union square manhattan....fabulous sounding one old strings High action another outta the box LITERALLY taken out for me new strings and also pretty great...Both at around 3700....QUESTIONS all the hd28v
owners players...are they consistent?? meaning if I get a deal across the country or slightly used do they have the same or similar sound?? Do you guys still love the guitar after owning playing for a while? Any information about this guitar would be greatly appreciated...I currently do not own an acoustic just a great old fender strat. So This would be for fingerstyle strumming all kinds of music.....THANKS EVERYBODY
Chris Rocco

chasingchet · #2 10-13-2017, 06:45 AM

sorry I forgot to mention I found the hd28v to be exceptionally balanced and powerful comparing to the d35..more bassy and the d41 very bright lol both in appearance and and sound....Sorry I am new at the forum thing just wanted some input from Martin hd 28v owners....any advice suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Greg Ballantyne · #3 10-13-2017, 07:09 AM

You should be able to negotiate that price - I looked at two Martins 11 months ago, one HD-28 and one D-28V. Both were new - didn't have the end strap pins installed yet. Both were offered for less than $2800 - the HD-28 was a little less than $2500. No electronics in them - that means a few $, and might be the difference in what you're looking at.

I almost bought the HD-28, but left it there..... it was a great guitar, but I didn't want another dread at that point.

KFP55 · #4 10-13-2017, 07:18 AM

Give a few of the AGF sponsors a call. You should be able to find what you want for ~60% of the price posted on Martin's site. I've purchased a new Martin and new Taylor from LA Guitar sales and Shoreline - Ted and Jon both inspected them for me before shipping and I couldn't be happier with either experience. I will only buy new guitars from AGF sponsors and think their attention to detail on the actual guitar you are getting eliminates the issue of having to play multiple models of the same guitar to find "the one". If you pick the model you want after playing a few, give them a call and pull the trigger - you'll be happy with the model they send you.

vindibona1 · #5 10-13-2017, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasingchet

....QUESTIONS all the hd28v
owners players...are they consistent?? meaning if I get a deal across the country or slightly used do they have the same or similar sound??

Chris,

For the most part, each guitar in an identical model will have certain similar characteristics, but no two guitars will sound identical. Some of the same model may sound radically different from each other.

If buying used, unless you can have a trial period with the option of returning it for full refund, I suggest you not buy sight unseen. There are a couple used ones out there, two in Chicago that I see and one in Ohio. Any chance you could check these out? https://reverb.com/p/martin-hd-28v-d...coustic-guitar

If buying new and sight unseen, as others have suggested, there are a number of forum sponsors that are very knowledgeable and helpful. They have reputations to maintain here and will steer you in the right direction. If you're paying up for a brand new guitar they won't sell you a dog and will make sure it's right going out the door. If you're inexperienced then you can take advantage of their experience as they deal with this stuff every day.

Good luck.

chasingchet · #6 10-13-2017, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Ballantyne

You should be able to negotiate that price - I looked at two Martins 11 months ago, one HD-28 and one D-28V. Both were new - didn't have the end strap pins installed yet. Both were offered for less than $2800 - the HD-28 was a little less than $2500. No electronics in them - that means a few $, and might be the difference in what you're looking at.

I almost bought the HD-28, but left it there..... it was a great guitar, but I didn't want another dread at that point.

hmnn very kool thanks

ManyMartinMan · #7 10-13-2017, 07:56 AM

Jon at My Favorite Guitars has 3 in stock. Call him and he'll clearly describe the ones he has. He usually has sound clips of his guitars as well. You'll likely save +/- $800 ish.

llew · #8 10-13-2017, 07:59 AM

I think the HD-28V is one of the more consistent models Martin builds. If I could only have one Martin dread that would be the one. As previously mentioned, our forum sponsors can help you get one new for around $2800. And if for some unlikely reason you aren't happy with it you can send it back but you will pay for the shipping both ways.
FYI: Jon @ MFG has one in stock!

chasingchet · #9 10-13-2017, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindibona1

Chris,

For the most part, each guitar in an identical model will have certain similar characteristics, but no two guitars will sound identical. Some of the same model may sound radically different from each other.

If buying used, unless you can have a trial period with the option of returning it for full refund, I suggest you not buy sight unseen. There are a couple used ones out there, two in Chicago that I see and one in Ohio. Any chance you could check these out? https://reverb.com/p/martin-hd-28v-d...coustic-guitar

If buying new and sight unseen, as others have suggested, there are a number of forum sponsors that are very knowledgeable and helpful. They have reputations to maintain here and will steer you in the right direction. If you're paying up for a brand new guitar they won't sell you a dog and will make sure it's right going out the door. If you're inexperienced then you can take advantage of their experience as they deal with this stuff every day.

Good luck.

very much appreciated! thanks

chasingchet · #10 10-13-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

I think the HD-28V is one of the more consistent models Martin builds. If I could only have one Martin dread that would be the one. As previously mentioned, our forum sponsors can help you get one new for around $2800. And if for some unlikely reason you aren't happy with it you can send it back but you will pay for the shipping both ways.
FYI: Jon @ MFG has one in stock!

thanks Jim...I never heard of Jon or his shop but omg just checked his website he has some amazing gear...impressive

Airstrummer · #11 10-13-2017, 08:18 AM

I bought a new 2017 HD-28v a couple months ago from Wildwood Music. It is my favorite for both neck profile and tone. I have not played any other HD-28v ones other than mine but was told by those in the know that they have never ran across a bad one of this model. You should pay between $2800.00 to $2900.00 at the most new for these.

chasingchet · #12 10-13-2017, 08:23 AM

Guys another question....I noticed Jon on MFG has hd28v with Adirondack tops.....what does that do exactly ? volume? warmth...or brighter? etc...thank you...he also has one with a vts top...any opinions on these more pricey 28s?
thanks again....Im getting close haha
Chris

Airstrummer · #13 10-13-2017, 08:33 AM

Best to call and ask Jon about the tone differences. You will get many different opinions here but every guitar can sound different with even the same woods. I went thru the same thing before buying mine on weather to buy one with a adrondack top or not but after much research decided that the price difference was not worth it.

rmyAddison · #14 10-13-2017, 08:44 AM

I owned a bunch of Martin dreads in the past and the HD-28V was one of my favorites because IMO it's the least like it's cousins, a unique smokey vintage voice that I loved. The skinny 1-11/16" nut didn't work for me but that's personal preference, loved the tone.

An Adi top will be punchier, not as warm, but won't drastically change the voice, maybe favor flatpicking a little more where the Sitka is more fingerstlye friendly, but we're almost in nitpick territory. Every Martin I own has different tonewoods and they all still sound like Martins.

A "well bought" HD-28V is a fine instrument, if the nut/neck profile work for you, pick one of our sponsors and they'll take care of the "well bought" part.........

chasingchet · #15 10-13-2017, 09:31 AM

thanks guys....yeah Irecently played an om28 marquis adi top and it was just bright and glassy not much warmth....interesting...