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  #1  
Old 07-14-2017, 10:36 PM
OneMansGuitar OneMansGuitar is offline
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Default The new D-28 (2017) vs. Previous D-28

Think you've heard the new D-28? Not like this you haven't.

Sneak Preview of My Summer NAMM Martin Reviews

This supplemental video was shot just after I recorded the new D-28 for One Man's Guitar's exclusive review - which will be the first one published

The following audio was mixed quickly and synched to video on a tablet at the hotel last night, and the video was put together on the bus back to NYC this afternoon.

The mix and synch of the actual video will likely be somewhat different.

While at the Martin Guitar Factory, it was my hope to not just test drive the newly made-over D-28, but to do do a direct comparison with the previous version, which remained virtually unchanged for 30+ years. And that did come to pass.

The two guitars were recorded back and forth in one continuous session. I just picked up one and played the first thing that came off my fingertips and then tried to repeat it on the other one, after placing the first on the same guitar stand. That is why the guitars are sometimes shifted toward the large diaphragm mic, as I kept turning that way to switch the D-28s.

In addition to some cosmetic upgrades, the real game changer is the top bracing, which has been moved to the "Forward Shifted" position, while retaining its non-scalloped shaping - a first at C. F. Martin for a 14-fret guitar.

The full review should be out in two or three days.

The thumbnail for the video was supposed to be of the 2017 model. I expect YouTube will change it eventually.

I forgot to mention, set your Youtube quality for this video to HD 1080p for best sound quality.


Last edited by OneMansGuitar; 07-18-2017 at 09:22 PM.
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Old 07-14-2017, 11:06 PM
dragon1952 dragon1952 is offline
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Thanks Spoon! I prefer the new. How about you?
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Old 07-14-2017, 11:30 PM
stuco stuco is offline
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They both sound great.
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:35 AM
Bronsky Bronsky is offline
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They both sound like guitars!
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:26 AM
ChrisE ChrisE is offline
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The new one sounds warmer to me. One thing I've never understood was all the fuss about the "raised gold foil logo" on the older model. But the lighting in your video really highlights the difference. The raised gold foil logo really "stands out" so to speak.
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Old 07-15-2017, 05:12 AM
Shades of Blue Shades of Blue is offline
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New one sounds deeper and brighter at the same time. I like it!
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Old 07-15-2017, 05:16 AM
wada wada is offline
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It is hard to improve a D28.
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Old 07-15-2017, 05:24 AM
Mr. Scott Mr. Scott is offline
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If I had the choice, I'd choose the new model. As someone has already said: warm and bright at the same time, like a good Fender amp!
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Old 07-15-2017, 06:05 AM
GaryH GaryH is offline
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To me, the new version sounds better in this video, but you could have two identically constructed guitars sound very different.
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Old 07-15-2017, 06:07 AM
llew llew is online now
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I liked the tone of the newer D-28 a little better. The raised gold foil doesn't really "bother" me as much as I prefer the the decal. Just personal preference I suppose?
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Old 07-15-2017, 07:56 AM
es335td es335td is offline
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I think it's great that Martin is taking steps to make the new classic guitars (D-18, D-28) the best they can be. They offer every flavor of dreadnaught at many price points.

The changes made are a reflection of consensus of the "best" features that have stood the test of time. I think history will look kindly on these changes.
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Old 07-15-2017, 08:02 AM
tomiv9 tomiv9 is offline
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I think between these two individual guitars the 2017 does sound slightly better. But they are so similar I could easily see a "better" 2016 beating a 2017. I think the forward shifting has a more dramatic affect the heavier the braces are scalloped, which would make sense. Still def want to try one of these in person for real evaluation!
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Old 07-15-2017, 08:17 AM
DebbieE DebbieE is online now
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Well I really loved what they did to the D-18 in 2012 and was hoping they'd do something like that for the D-28, changing the nut width and the bracing, and since they have that got me wanting the new D-28. So I've put in my order with Jon at My Favorite Guitars and will hopefully have my new D-28 in October.

I'm really looking forward to it, I've never had a D-28, I've had lots of other Martins though but have missed the iconic D-28 somehow. I've only had a couple of their dreadnaughts, the D-18 and an HD-28, I've been more into the other sized Martins. However since I've been getting more into bluegrass music I've been wanting a rosewood dreadnaught and Martins D-28 seems like a good choice.

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Old 07-15-2017, 08:50 AM
archerscreek archerscreek is offline
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I hear a big difference. The old version (not only in this video but everyone I heard from 1995 on) sounded flat and muffled to me. The new one sings and has much more character. Wish they put V necks on these guitars, but it sounds nice and worthy of the price.
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Old 07-15-2017, 09:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomiv9 View Post
I think between these two individual guitars the 2017 does sound slightly better. But they are so similar I could easily see a "better" 2016 beating a 2017. I think the forward shifting has a more dramatic affect the heavier the braces are scalloped, which would make sense. Still def want to try one of these in person for real evaluation!
This was my take as well after listening to the video. Both guitars have a reasonably focused bass. Neither has the deep echoey cavernous bass that I prefer in the HD-28/28v and D-18. Definitely need to play this one first.
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