Used Martin D-28

About the Martin D-28

The Martin D-28 is the acoustic guitar that every other dreadnought is measured against. First built in 1931, it established the "Dreadnought" body shape that became the standard for flatpicking, bluegrass, and singer-songwriter music. The spruce top and rosewood back and sides produce a balanced, powerful sound with strong bass response. On the used market, D-28s are a safe bet — they hold value well and tend to sound better as they age, which is one of the few cases where "it's old" is genuinely a selling point.

Buying Guide

• 1Vintage D-28s (pre-1969) with Brazilian rosewood are significantly more valuable than post-1969 Indian rosewood models. The tonal difference is debatable, but the market price difference is not.
• 2Check the neck angle — Martin acoustics can develop a "bellying" of the top over decades. A neck reset is a $300-500 repair that's common and not a dealbreaker if priced accordingly.
• 3Bridge plate condition matters. Have someone look under the top at the bridge plate if possible — scalloped bracing models are particularly sensitive here.