Martin 000-28 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Martin 000-28 is an iconic acoustic guitar model that has been inspiring musicians for decades. Part of Martin's 000 body shape line, it offers a balanced and articulate tone perfect for fingerstyle playing.

With a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the 000-28 produces a warm yet crisp tone. The smaller body promotes note definition while still providing full and rounded bass notes. Though it may lack the booming projection of a dreadnought, the 000-28 makes up for it with its intimate charm and elegant look.

First introduced in 1992, the 000-28 has gone on to become one of Martin's most beloved small-bodied acoustics. It carries on the legacy of previous 000 models played by legends like Eric Clapton and Johnny Cash while incorporating modern appointments for today's players. An excellent all-around acoustic, the 000-28 suits various styles from folk to blues to country.

Construction and Materials

The Martin 000-28 features an all solid wood construction that contributes to its full, rich sound. The back and sides are crafted from solid East Indian rosewood which provides warmth and complexity to the tone.

The top is made from solid Sitka spruce, which is a popular choice for acoustic guitars due to its lightweight strength and crisp, balanced tone. Sitka spruce is known for its dynamic range and its ability to project volume and clarity without distortion. The combination of rosewood back/sides and a Sitka spruce top gives the 000-28 a lush, resonant voice.

The neck is also solid wood, made from mahogany which adds stability and sustain. Overall, the use of premium solid tonewoods makes this an excellent choice for players looking for the nuanced acoustic tone that only all-solid wood instruments can deliver.

The all-solid wood construction ensures that the 000-28 will open up and mature tonally over time, becoming richer and more nuanced as the wood ages. Many players prefer all-solid wood instruments like the 000-28 for this reason - the tone develops into something unique to that specific instrument. The solid woods allow the guitar to resonate freely, resulting in excellent sustain and projection. This allows the true character of the tonewoods to shine through in the guitar's voice.

In contrast, some more affordable acoustic guitars use laminate woods for the back and sides. Laminates consist of thin layers of wood glued together. While laminates are durable and resistant to climate changes, they lack the tonal complexity of solid wood. The 000-28's solid woods will produce a more organic, warm, and lyrical tone.

The neck is joined to the body with Martin's proprietary mortise and tenon neck joint. This traditional joint increases stability and enhances tone transfer between neck and body. The neck itself is crafted from solid mahogany for added warmth and sustain.

The fretboard and bridge plate are made from rich rosewood, which complements the back/side tonewoods. The bridge and pins are crafted from ebony, which is known for its hardness and crispness. Overall, the all-solid woods and quality appointments result in excellent resonance, articulation, and musicality.

Players looking for an all-solid wood acoustic with rich overtones and excellent projection should shortlist the Martin 000-28. Over time, the tonewoods will mature to produce a unique voice. For a similar all-solid option, check out the Fender CD-60SCE which also features solid spruce and mahogany at an affordable price point.

Sound Profile

The Martin 000-28 produces a beautifully balanced tone with excellent projection and clarity across the tonal spectrum. The mahogany back and sides generate a pleasing low-end warmth and resonance in the bass registers, providing a nice rhythmic thump and fullness.

The solid Sitka spruce top is responsive and articulate, bringing out clear, ringing highs and allowing each individual note to be heard distinctly. There is a focused and punchy midrange that cuts through a mix well and helps leads stand out in accompaniment situations.

Overall the 000-28 offers a very balanced sound profile suitable for a variety of playing styles. It has enough punch in the lows to drive rhythmic accompaniment patterns, shimmering highs to bring out melodies and solos, and a strong focused midrange for vocals or leads. The projection is excellent, making this a good choice for live performances or recording situations where the guitar needs to compete with other instruments.

The tone remains balanced up and down the neck, so it performs just as nicely for first position chords and rhythm work as for soloing high up on the fretboard. Whether strumming open chords or intricate fingerstyle passages, the 000-28 provides excellent tonal quality and musicality.

The Martin 000-28 is a classic acoustic guitar model that has been popular for decades. Musicians appreciate its versatility, playability and balanced tone. It's an excellent all-around choice for players looking for a great acoustic with professional level build quality and sound. Many notable musicians have used Martin 000-28 models over the years, including Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Eric Clapton.

Martin is known for their expertise crafting acoustic guitars with tonewoods like solid Sitka spruce tops and mahogany backs and sides. They use high quality materials and careful construction techniques that allow their guitars to produce amazing sound and last for many years. The 000-28 continues this tradition with its excellent acoustic properties and musical tone.

The 000-28 has a classic appearance with an understated elegance. The body shape is comfortable to hold and play for long periods of time. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, fluid playing. It's an inspiring instrument for songwriting, practicing or performing. Many players feel a special connection to their Martin acoustic.

For musicians looking for an alternative, the GEWA PS510170 is an acoustic guitar with a comparable design and sound to the Martin 000-28. It has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides similar to the Martin. Owners report it has excellent intonation up and down the neck with a balanced tone. The GEWA PS510170 provides an affordable option with a sound inspired by classic Martin acoustics like the 000-28.

The Martin 000-28 is an iconic acoustic guitar model that has earned its reputation through years of stellar performance. It has a rich history and remains a popular choice today. Musicians looking for great playability, solid construction and balanced tone will find a lifelong musical companion in the 000-28 or comparable models like the GEWA PS510170.

Playability

The 000-28 is renowned for its comfortable feel and smooth playability. Martin engineers its neck profiles to be slim and tapered for excellent comfort and fast movement up and down the neck. The low action facilitates complex fingerpicking patterns and quick lead lines without buzzing.

The slim 1-3/4" nut width adds to the guitar's overall playability and makes it a great choice for players with smaller hands who want the warm, rich sound of a 000 body. Many players find the 000-28 neck extremely comfortable and natural feeling during long practice or gigging sessions.

The smooth satin finish on the modified low oval neck shape allows your hand to glide easily up and down the neck. Whether you're playing chords, single notes, or anything in between, you'll appreciate how the 000-28 feels like an extension of your own hands.

Hardware

The Martin 000-28 comes equipped with top quality hardware that complements its construction and sound. It features open-geared Golden Era tuners that provide smooth and precise tuning. These premium tuners are based on the original nickel tuners found on vintage Martins from the 1930s to 1960s. They have an open back design that exposes the gearing, giving them a classic look and feel.

The nut and saddle are made of genuine bone, which helps transfer vibrations efficiently from the strings to the body. Bone is a naturally smooth material that prevents binding and allows for easy and accurate intonation adjustments. The nut and saddle on the 000-28 are precisely cut and fitted for optimized string spacing and height. This results in buzz-free open chords and clear single notes across the fretboard. Overall, the hardware components on this Martin are high-end appointments that enhance playability, tuning stability, and tone.

Aesthetics

The Martin 000-28 has an understated but elegant aesthetic that sets it apart in the acoustic guitar world. It features a simple and traditional body shape with rounded shoulders, but several high-end cosmetic appointments give it a refined look and feel.

The all-solid wood construction lends the 000-28 a sleek appearance, with its spruce top and mahogany back and sides forming an organic and cohesive look. It has a satin finish available in several classic options like natural, black, and vintage sunburst. The vintage sunburst finish in particular provides a burst of warm, vintage character.

The rosette is beautifully detailed yet subtler than many other acoustics, featuring three concentric rings of black, tan, and black along with a red/black "sticker" style interior. Other ornate details include an old style script logo on the headstock, abalone diamond fingerboard inlays, and a multi-ply top purfling.

Overall the 000-28 achieves an understated elegance. While it forgoes superfluous ornamentation, the guitar's fine details and craftsmanship give it an undeniable visual charm. The variety of finish options allow players to choose the right look for their personal style.

Value

The Martin 000-28 is in a higher price tier for acoustics, retailing for $2,629. However, you get what you pay for with the exceptional materials and expert craftsmanship that goes into this American-made guitar.

Martin only uses solid tonewoods for the top, back and sides. This guitar features a Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge. The neck is also constructed from mahogany. These premium tonewoods produce a rich, complex sound.

Everything about this guitar is built to last, from the dovetail neck joint to the mortise and tenon body construction. The top is braced using Martin's special 'X' scalloped bracing technique. Attention to detail can be seen throughout, like the herringbone binding and rosette soundhole inlays.

The 000-28 is entirely hand-crafted in Martin's Pennsylvania facility using techniques perfected over generations. You can feel the history and expertise behind this instrument. While the price is substantial, you are paying for top-notch materials, quality manufacturing, and the Made in America pedigree. For discerning players, the investment is worthwhile.

Alternatives to the Martin 000-28

The Martin 000-28 is an excellent instrument, but there are other comparable options in this price range worth considering as alternatives:

Taylor 214

The Taylor 214 is a Grand Auditorium style acoustic guitar that competes well with the Martin 000-28. Taylor is known for their precise and consistent craftsmanship utilizing modern techniques and innovations. This results in Taylor guitars often having a brighter and more articulate tone compared to the warmer old-world sound of a Martin. The 214 features a solid Sitka spruce top with layered rosewood back and sides. It produces a balanced and detailed tone across the tonal spectrum. The playability is very comfortable on the 214 thanks to its slim taper neck and low action. The downside is it may lack some of the nuanced overtones and sophisticated resonance of the Martin 000-28.

Gibson Hummingbird

Gibson's legendary Hummingbird model offers a square-shouldered dreadnought body known for its booming bass and strong projection. It has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, producing a tone that is thick and warm yet still clear in the mids and highs. The visual aesthetic of the Hummingbird is eye-catching with its double parallelogram fingerboard inlays and pickguard decorated in hummingbirds. The downside is it has a much larger body size than the 000-28, so it may not be as comfortable for some players. It's also significantly more expensive. But for those seeking more volume and bass response, the Hummingbird is an iconic alternative in the same tier of craftsmanship as the 000-28.

Pros

The Martin 000-28 excels when it comes to tone and playability thanks to its high-end construction and materials.

This guitar produces a rich, balanced tone that projects well. The solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides deliver a warm yet bright sound across the tonal spectrum - the hallmarks of a Martin acoustic. There's excellent resonance and sustain. The tone has a vintage-like character while still having enough headroom for various playing styles.

It's very comfortable and easy to play as well. The 25.4" scale mahogany neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, fluid movements up and down the fretboard. The fingerboard radius measures 16" which allows for comfortable chord shapes and single note runs. Whether strumming or fingerpicking, the 000-28 feels natural in the player's hands.

The excellent playability combined with the guitar's balanced tone make the Martin 000-28 shine when playing. It's equally adept at strumming, flatpicking and fingerstyle playing. Theresponsive and dynamic tone allows the guitar to be expressive and rewards a light touch. Overall, it's an extremely playable and musical sounding acoustic that makes practice sessions or gigs a joy.

Cons

The Martin 000-28 comes with a higher price tag than many other acoustics on the market today. While the exceptional craftsmanship and premium tonewoods justify the cost for many players, it does put this model out of reach for some budgets.

The 000-28's smaller body shape also means it doesn't project quite as loudly as a dreadnought or jumbo acoustic. While it's plenty loud enough for studio work, small gigs, and practice, some players find they need to mic it for louder settings. The focused midrange and crystalline highs come through beautifully, but players looking for boomier low end may want to consider a dreadnought or jumbo instead.