Martin D-28 VS Hd-28 (Comparison)
Our pick: Either one
The Martin D-28 is the original, while the HD-28 is a slightly improved version of that same guitar. Aside from bracing structure, fretboard inlays, and some minor tone differences, the guitars are essentially a mirror copy of one another.
The Martin D-28 acoustic guitar has been around for a long time and has even been a favorite of professional artists (lots of them) over the past few decades. But Martin buyers are often confused by the presence of the HD-28, a similar model Martin acoustic without obvious differences from the D-28.
What's the difference between them?
In this comparison article, we're putting the two guitars side-by-side to see exactly how they differ.
Surprisingly, there's little that separates the two acoustics in terms of quality.
Both are excellent guitars in every category.
However, there are a couple notable differences if we look at both spec sheets.
Major Distinctions
We've listed the current retail price of these acoustics in the table below with the demo videos. They're separated by just a couple hundred dollars, with the D-28 landing as the cheaper of the two.
Here are the only features we were able to identify that could account for the pricing difference:
- Bracing upgrade in the HD-28
- Diamond inlays are a lot flashier and look nicer
- Toner in the D-28 seems to be slightly darker
We'll get into these details as we work through our comparison. However, if you were only after the bullet points, you can browse the acoustics on Sweetwater with some comparable options via the orange buttons below.
Compare to Other Acoustic Guitars
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Acoustic | DETAILS | RATING | TRY |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Martin HD-28 | n/a | |
 | Martin D-28 | n/a | |
 | Taylor 114e | 95.4 | |
 | Seagull S6 | 88.7 |
Demo Comparison
In this simplified table, we've embedded demo videos of each acoustic so you can compare the overall sound and tone.
Martin HD-28 | Martin D-28 |
|---|---|
$3100 | $2900 |
Even with different setups, you can tell these two guitars sound almost identical. To me, both sound distinctly country and bluegrass, which is consistent with many of the reputable artists that have played them. We might say the D-28 is a little more brisk, perhaps giving more definition to your pick scraping and right hand movement.
But overall, you've got to get really specific if you want to identify sound differences between the two.
They're both bright, crisp, and less booming than you would expect from a Martin acoustic.
Overall, both guitars strike a really nice balance between brightness and warmth.
The Bodies: Aging Toner and Scalloped Bracing
The first difference we see in the bodies of both guitars is that the top tonewood in the D-28 is listed as having an "aging toner." In some pictures, this seems to be exaggerated, but we have noticed that the D-28 looks slightly more weathered, depending on how the light hits it.
We've highlighted this difference in yellow, since it's not consequential in terms of quality or value. Otherwise, both guitars use Sitka Spruce tonewood for the top piece, with East Indian Rosewood making up the back and sides.
Scalloped Bracing in the HD-28
A second difference is the scalloped bracing in the HD-28, verses a non-scalloped bracing system in the D-28.
In some contexts, this isn't really even a quality issue. Scalloped bracing usually means that luthiers shave or carve a divot into the middle piece of the bracing, which adds more flexibility to the body and puts a little more bass in the guitar's natural tone.
This would account for the slightly more brisk sound we have in the D-28, but it's still not a significant quality issue or concern.
Martin HD-28 | Martin D-28 | |
|---|---|---|
Body Type/Shape | Dreadnought | Dreadnought |
Sides and Back | East Indian Rosewood | East Indian Rosewood |
Top | Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce with Aging toner |
Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
Bracing | Scalloped Forward Shifted X bracing | Forward Shifted X Brace |
Binding | Antique White | Antique White |
You can see from the images below, there's nothing obvious to the naked eye when you compare the two bodies. Even with the closeup view that Sweetwater gives us, the two guitar's bodies essentially mirror each other.
The Martin D-28 body.
The Martin HD-28 body.
Comparing the Neck & Fretboard
Moving to the neck and fretboard, distinctions are - once again - limited.
Outside of the diamond fretboard inlays in the HD-28, the two guitars are identical in terms of size, shape, and materials. We do like the diamond inlays quite a bit, as it gives some noticeable aesthetic distinction between the two.
Martin-HD-28 | Martin D-28 | |
|---|---|---|
Neck Wood | Select Hardwood | Select Hardwood |
Neck Shape | Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper | Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper |
Radius | 16" | 16" |
Fingerboard Material | Ebony | Ebony |
Fingerboard Inlays | Abalone Diamonds & Squares Long Pattern | Mother-of-Pearl Dots |
Number of Frets | 20 | 20 |
Scale Length | 25.4" | 25.4" |
Again, we can use the magnified view in Sweetwater, which gives us a nice closeup look at the fretboard inlays. While the diamond design isn't really a deal breaker one way or the other, I have to admit that it adds a uniqueness and appeal that is lost in the familiarity of the pearl-dot inlays.
The neck and fretboard on the D-28.
Neck and fretboard on the HD-28.
Hardware and Parts Comparison
When we do electric guitar comparisons, there is typically more here to draw on with pickups and interior electronics. But with acoustic guitars, there are just a few things we look at. Moreover, with the HD-28 and the D-28, there are zero discernable differences between the two.
Perhaps one of the nicest features here - and one that could easily go under the radar - is the hardshell case that comes with either acoustic (we've included it in the "parts" section since there's really no other place for it).
In this price range, that's not an unusual add-on, but certainly worth mentioning for prospective buyers.
I'd hate to invest this much money into an acoustic guitar to let it go without a case.
Martin HD-28 | Martin D-28 | |
|---|---|---|
Bridge Material | Ebony | Ebony |
Nut & Saddle Material | Bone/Bone | Bone/Bone |
Tuning Machines | Nickel open gear | Nickel open gear |
Nut Width | 1.75" | 1.75" |
Case Included | Hardshell Case | Hardshell Case |
Wrapping Up Our Comparison
At the end of this comparison, my subjective take is that the HD-28 isn't a significant upgrade over the D-28. The bracing is little nicer if you want a deeper tone - and I like the diamond inlays - but it seems the HD-28 is a marginal upgrade at best, with out any major improvements.
It's certainly not something I would want to run up the price of an already expensive acoustic guitar for.
After looking at everything, I'd recommend going with the classic in the D-28.
Again, they're both great guitars, but I would need more that separates the new iteration from the original before I break with the original.
Questions about the D-28 or HD-28?
Do you have questions about the Martin D-28 or the HD-28?
If so, leave them in the comments section below. I'll jump in and do my best to help out.
We'll see ya there.
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My d28 has a slotted head stock it is marked d28s . It has grover tuners, Was this normal?
Do you know the year? Looks like you’ve got a pretty cool version on your hands: https://reverb.com/p/martin-d-28s-1964-1992
I’m glad people have pointed it out. Ya had it backwards. The D28 is the original but back then when it was just called The D28 it was originally a herringbone dreadnought with scalloped bracing, during the war when German herringbone was no longer available and harder to source they introduced the modern D28 forgoing the herringbone and also making the braces solid. Although it was this model that became the stuff of legends Understably some people were like whoa wait a minute this isn’t the same guitar it used to be, we want our herringbone with the nicer inlays and scalloped bracing back (louder and more resonant) so Martin reintroduced the herringbone D28 along the modern D28 and both have been in the lineup ever since. Those original herringbone D28s were some of the finest dreadnoughts ever made. A better comparison would be a new hd28 vs an older D28 with herringbone. On a side note the first dreadnought was made for the Ditson guitar company, it was a 12 fret version. Martin later released it under their own name. If you want a piece of history go for The HD while they still make them like they used to.. both have 3 things well documented that Martin invented. x bracing, 14 fret neck joint, and the Dreadnought shape. Hard to go wrong with either. Funnily enough the specs of the d18 are the same as the hd28 only mahogany, and a few minor details like binding and inlay. Curious why Martin doesn’t make a straight braced D18 along side the scalloped, and if there was in the past what happened to it. Thoughts?
What size frets does Martin put on these guitars? Actual size & make please?
Hey Dan – I honestly don’t know. This isn’t a spec I typically see listed. This forum talks about it a little bit but I’m not sure these numbers make sense. https://umgf.com/fret-wire-height-t188708.html#:~:text=Martin's%20traditional%20T%2Dfrets%20were,Authentics%20still%20get%200.037%22%20frets.
The HD-28 is actually Martin’s nod to earlier versions of the D-28. I prefer this model as it has slightly better tone and is less “rigid” than a D-28.
Thanks for sharing, Mark.
What does nickel open mean /TUNING MACHINES\…. (Electric acoustic)…???? I purchased a HD-28 AND ITS NOT ELECTRIC PLEASE EXPLAIN.!? THIS IS A WORK HORSE OF A ACOUSTIC GUITAR…. THANK YOU.
Hey Jeffrey – at no point in this comparison did I refer to the HD-28 as “electric” in any sense, as it does not have a pickup or preamp. My apologies if there was additional confusion that I have not identified.
One thing you left out. HD28 the H is for Herringbone trim. The D28 lacks this type of trim having lines. The Herringbone was gone for some years tell brought back in the new HD28.
Wayne, this is super helpful. Thank you for chiming in and sharing.
As some know – Martin used Herringbone trim (originally it really was Herringbone?) Anyway – the late 1930s “D-28s” also had scalloped bracing. This make em a bit louder – esp when “fingerpicking”. And Note this era of “D-28s” is way respected (and $$$!)
So with WW II they took the Herringbone off of em (it may have come from Germany?)
And they no longer “scalloped” the bracing. So the popular 1950s-1960s “D-28s” are out. OK. But then Martin wanted to “bring back” the scalloped bracing and the Herringbone trim. So they did!
But when they did – they re-named these “HD-28s.” (In a weird way the “re-named” one is actually the “original” one!)
They are similar – don’t worry TOO much about it.
(I have a D-28 “2017 re-imagined” (slightly updated in ways I like) And it’s perfectly fine.
My HD-28VR is a wonderful guitar.