The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 09-16-2021, 11:37 AM
Wellington Wellington is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,535
Default Finally Played a Nice D28

Not sure if it's bad luck with duds, a clash of my playing and tonal preferences with what it offers or if the guitar is simply over-rated but I've never played a D28 that impressed me considering the price tag. I haven't played a ton of them, less than 10, but the other day I went to 2 shops and played the D28 in both shops. The first one was the same experience I've always had, just not big or full sounding compared to what I expect but the second one I found had a very nice playable action, great neck feel and a nice much more full tone. I personally wouldn't pay the price tag I don't think but finally I could see why others do. It didn't blow me away but it did sound and play impressively!

Is it a case of my tonal preferences being different? Are D28's pretty inconsistent? I associate J45s with inconsistent tone, but haven't heard that much about the D28. Maybe what I'm unimpressed by actually flourishes in flat picking, which is what most people use them for, I mostly finger pick and strum.

Just some observations I had.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-16-2021, 12:01 PM
Draft Guitar Draft Guitar is online now
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 480
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wellington View Post
Are D28's pretty inconsistent?
In my opinion, yes, they are.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-16-2021, 01:03 PM
brencat's Avatar
brencat brencat is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,642
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wellington View Post
Is it a case of my tonal preferences being different? Are D28's pretty inconsistent? I associate J45s with inconsistent tone, but haven't heard that much about the D28. Maybe what I'm unimpressed by actually flourishes in flat picking, which is what most people use them for, I mostly finger pick and strum.

Just some observations I had.
Yes, a D-28 flourishes in flatpicking, same as a D-18 and HD-28. If you are primarily a fingerpicker or strummer, perhaps a D-35 or HD-35 with their 1/4" bracing and thus more flexible top would be better options for you.
__________________
Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson

For Sale: 2023 Collings D2H 1 3/4 Nut, Adi Bracing, NTB -- $4250 shipped
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-16-2021, 01:45 PM
J Patrick J Patrick is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,678
Default

….my experience is that most D-28’s are fairly stout in the standard series…they need a fairly strong right hand attack to hit their sweet spot whether you play with your fingers or a pick….occasionally one will be more alive with a softer touch but if you go to some of the other D-28 incarnations….the more vintage oriented models…they will usually be more responsive to a lighter touch….

…still…a Martin Rosewood Dreadnought has a distinctive and iconic tone that may or may or be someone’s cuppa
__________________
...Grasshopper...high is high...low is low....but the middle...lies in between...Master Po
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-16-2021, 01:58 PM
llew llew is online now
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Coastal South Carolina
Posts: 13,754
Default

I have an older limited edition 28 I really like. And have played a couple reimagined ones that were nice. And I don't flat pick particularly...more strumming and finger picking. But guitars and ears are all different.
__________________
Jim

Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-16-2021, 09:15 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 621
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wellington View Post
Not sure if it's bad luck with duds, a clash of my playing and tonal preferences with what it offers or if the guitar is simply over-rated but I've never played a D28 that impressed me considering the price tag. I haven't played a ton of them, less than 10, but the other day I went to 2 shops and played the D28 in both shops. The first one was the same experience I've always had, just not big or full sounding compared to what I expect but the second one I found had a very nice playable action, great neck feel and a nice much more full tone. I personally wouldn't pay the price tag I don't think but finally I could see why others do. It didn't blow me away but it did sound and play impressively!

Is it a case of my tonal preferences being different? Are D28's pretty inconsistent? I associate J45s with inconsistent tone, but haven't heard that much about the D28. Maybe what I'm unimpressed by actually flourishes in flat picking, which is what most people use them for, I mostly finger pick and strum.

Just some observations I had.
I mostly flat pick and strum, while I occasionally think a D-28 or D-18 sounds good, I often then pick up just about anything else and change my mind. They sound good when others play them, but in my hands they do nothing for me. The ones I have liked more have all been used ones, so possibly they just take some time to develop.

Personally, I'll take a good J-45 any day, enjoy the guitar more and save myself a bit of cash. Ditto with a D-15 or Larrivee D40, and save myself even more cash. Or heck, even some flavor of Godin and save myself almost $3000 dollars.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-16-2021, 09:21 PM
s2y s2y is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Somewhere middle America
Posts: 6,594
Default

Martin's stock/store setup doesn't help. Before I knew much about guitars, I just assumed that they were all hard to play.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-17-2021, 09:56 AM
Scolaguitar Scolaguitar is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 709
Default

My experience with D28s has been similar. I did like one at a guitar center of all places. I think I just tend to prefer D18s. Love mine.
__________________
We've got some guitars.

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-21-2021, 02:11 PM
asilker asilker is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 187
Default

I don't know how accurate this is, but having owned a couple of D28's and D18's I tend to think that the sound people have in their heads is a a nice D28 but sitting from the control room with a little mic EQ and compression.

For some reason very few Martin dreads have sounded like they do on records when I've been in the room with them.

I'd echo that the smaller 1/4" bracing would be my strong preference
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=