Vintage Pre-War Tone Infused with Cutting-Edge Modern Innovation

The Martin OM-28 Modern Deluxe is a sophisticated take on vintage acoustic design, blending classic Golden Era aesthetic appointments with ultra-modern guitar-building technologies. Built on the iconic Orchestra Model (OM) platform, this instrument delivers exceptional string-to-string clarity, dynamic responsiveness, and stunning projection that punches far beyond its comfortable body size.

In the latest specification update to the Modern Deluxe series, Martin has outfitted the OM-28 with a solid European Spruce top treated with Martin’s proprietary Vintage Tone System (VTS). European Spruce provides a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than traditional Sitka, yielding enhanced headroom, crystalline treble chime, and rich harmonic overtones. Coupled with Martin's VTS torrefaction process, the wood fibers are aged to reproduce the acoustic resonance and quick response of a 1930s Pre-War Golden Era instrument.

Paired with solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, natural European Flamed Maple binding, and elegant gold frets, the OM-28 Modern Deluxe bridges the gap between historical Martin heritage and contemporary boutique luxury. Underneath the top, Martin incorporates high-performance structural enhancements including a composite carbon-fiber bridge plate that boosts volume and sustain, a titanium truss rod for effortless neck adjustability, and red-dot Liquidmetal bridge pins that maximize energy transfer into the soundboard.

Product Intelligence Matrix

• Best For: Fingerstyle, Studio Recording, Acoustic Blues, Singer-Songwriters, Dynamic Flatpicking
• Tone Profile: Warm, Articulate, Rich Midrange Bloom, Crystalline European Treble Chime, High Headroom
• Top Wood Spec Update: Solid European Spruce with VTS (Vintage Tone System) Torrefaction
• Back & Sides Wood: Solid East Indian Rosewood
• Body Shape: 000-14 Fret Orchestra Model (OM) with Dovetail Neck Joint
• Neck Profile: Vintage Deluxe Profile with High-Performance Taper
• Structural Innovations: Composite Carbon Fiber Bridge Plate, Titanium Truss Rod, Liquidmetal Bridge Pins
• Binding & Inlays: European Flamed Maple Binding with Bold Herringbone Top Trim and Abalone Diamonds & Squares Fretboard Inlays
• Hardware: Gold Open-Gear Tuners with Butterbean Knobs
• Nut & Saddle: Bone Nut with Compensated Bone Saddle (1-3/4" Nut Width)
• Protection: Deluxe Ply Hardshell Case Included

The Sanctuary Expert Note

The upgrade to a VTS-treated European Spruce top elevates the OM-28 Modern Deluxe to a whole new tier of responsiveness. European Spruce has a noticeably faster transient response and broader dynamic headroom than Sitka, giving fingerstyle players incredible touch sensitivity and flatpickers endless headroom without breakup. When you combine that tonewood with Martin’s carbon-fiber bridge plate and Liquidmetal pins, you get a lightweight, ultra-resonant OM with Pre-War soul and unmatched modern projection.

Highlights
000-14 Fret body size
East Indian Rosewood back and sides
European Red Spruce w/ VTS top
Vintage Deluxe neck with Standard Taper
1 3/4'' fingerboard width at nut
Ply Hardshell case
Recommended Strings: Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze - Light

Top
Top Material: European Red Spruce w/ VTS
Finish Top: Gloss
Top Color: Clear
Top Inlay Material: Bold Herringbone
Top Detail: None
Binding: European Flamed Maple
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Style: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/4''
Bridge Pin Material: Liquidmetal®
Bridge Pin Dots: Red Acrylic
Pickguard: Tortoise Pattern
Pickguard Inlay: None
Rosette: Style 28 Multi-Stripe
Saddle: Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius: 16"

Body
Body Size: 000-14 Fret
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Back Material: East Indian Rosewood
Side Material: East Indian Rosewood
Back and Sides Finish: Gloss
Back and Sides Color: None
Back Detail: None
Side Detail: None
Back Purfling/Strip: Zig-Zag Authentic
Back Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
Side Inlay Material: None
Bracing Pattern: X-Brace
Brace Shape: GE-Scalloped
Brace Material: Adirondack Spruce with VTS
Brace Size: 1/4"
Endpiece: European Flamed Maple
Endpiece Inlay: Multi-Stripe

Neck
Neck Shape: Vintage Deluxe
Neck Taper: Standard Taper
Neck Material: Select Mahogany
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Finish Neck: Satin
Scale Length: 25.4"
Number of Frets Total: 20
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Heelcap: European Flamed Maple
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/4''
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4''
Fingerboard Inlay Style: Diamonds and Squares Long Pattern
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone
Fingerboard Binding Material: None
Side Dots: Abalone

Headstock
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style: 1933 CFM Script Inlay
Headplate Binding Material: None
Headplate Detail: None
Tuning Machines: Waverly® Gold Open Gear
Knob: Butterbean
Nut Material: Bone

Misc
Case: Ply Hardshell
Label: None
Electronics: No
Electronics Options: LR Baggs Anthem
Fishman Gold Plus Natural
Fishman Infinity Matrix
Left Handed Availability: true
Pleked: true