The Martin D-28 Billy Strings Signature moves the D-28 to a 25-inch scale, and that single change reshapes how the guitar plays. The shorter scale drops string tension at pitch, so medium-gauge phosphor bronze feels closer to lights under the left hand — bends give, and hard cross-picking does not fight back. Spruce over East Indian rosewood keeps the traditional D-28 voice underneath: deep bass, ringing overtones, and the midrange scoop that lets a flatpicked lead sit on top of a band.

The neck spec is the other half of the design. A modified low oval profile with a standard taper and a 1-23/32-inch nut runs slightly narrower than Martin's current high-performance necks, which suits a player who spends the night moving fast between chord shapes and single-note runs. Combined with the reduced tension, the guitar rewards an aggressive right hand — it stays clear when driven hard, and the note attack is quick enough to keep triplets from smearing. It is built for bluegrass at speed, and it does not disguise that.

Appointments stay period-correct. An antique toner gloss top sits inside antique white binding with bold herringbone purfling, the back carries zig-zag marquetry with multi-stripe, and diamond and square long-pattern abalone runs the ebony fingerboard. The headstock wears an authentic-style CFM script overlay on East Indian rosewood, and nickel enclosed-gear tuners replace the open-gear set found on a standard D-28. Inside, a paper label carries Billy Strings' pre-printed signature. For a flatpicker who wants a rosewood dreadnought that plays easier than a stock D-28 without giving up its voice, this is the most specific answer Martin makes.

Serial #3058128 — this listing is for one specific instrument. Photos of this exact guitar go up once it clears our 23-Point Professional Inspection.