Martin Custom Shop HD-28 Style Engelmann Spruce/African Ebony, Black Ebony Fingerboard, Natural

~Guitar pictured is the actual guitar that you will receive~

Only three of these incredible guitars will be built for us by the Martin Custom Shop.

A Custom Shop HD-28 design allows us to bring a world-class guitar to our customers. While selecting wood at the Factory, we were presented the opportunity to work with a small amount of African Ebony. We are experienced with working with African Ebony and jumped at the chance! 

As one of only 24 Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealers worldwide, we have unfettered access to the Martin Custom Shop and their incredible world-renowned wood reserves. Empire Music Owner Joe Ravita has hand-selected these specific wood sets and designed the instrument in conjunction with Martin Custom Shop Master Designer Jimmie Kleintop. The goal was to offer the finest sonic experience Martin has to offer with the highest quality wood sets on Earth.

The HD-28 is one of the most iconic guitars ever designed.  So,our Martin Custom Shop Factory visits are often centered around the model.  Experiencing the density of African Ebony in person in the Martin Wood Library, provided a clear direction for this Custom Shop HD-28.

We immediately knew that the African Ebony could offer a focused, transparent, and more-rounded response to the HD-28. Due to the dense nature of African Ebony, we selected Engelmann Spruce for the top of the guitar.  Engelmann Spruce is known for its fullness and warmth.  Less bright than Sitka Spruce, Engelmann Spruce offers complex overtones that players covet.  It works incredibly well in the framework of the Dreadnought body design.  Warm, full and complex Engelmann Spruce gives players a mature playing experience that is second to none.

Our deep knowledge of tonewoods and incredible access to Martin’s wood vault allow for this incredible model to come together.

Tonewoods are always incredibly important when designing a Custom Shop guitar–however, it is a must that the bracing, scale length and other design specifications maximize the tonewood choice.

So, we selected the Golden Era Bracing package on this design.  This sought after design offers deeply scalloped braces that deliver huge tone, output and mature/vintage vibes.  Players will find that this guitar opens up with ease and complex tones are found at all levels of pick attack.

The 25.4” standard scale design allows for excellent clarity, note separation and articulation.

We wanted to take this model to the next level, so we included all of the Golden Era touches–rolled fingerboard edges, Golden Era Bridge Plate, Authentic Fingerboard thickness and Authentic neck heel size.  This Custom Shop HD-28 is a true testament to Martin past and present!

Specifications:

• Serial #: 2959957
• Top Material: Engelmann Spruce
• Back & Sides Material: African Ebony
• Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
• Binding Material: Antique White
• Bracing: Spruce, Scalloped, 5/16"
• Bridge Pins: Bone w/ Faux Tortoise
• Bridge Material: Black Ebony
• Bridge Style: Golden Era Modern Belly
• Adhesive: Modern Adhesive
• Electronics: None
• Fingerboard Inlay: Diamonds and Squares Long w/ Abalone
• Nut Width: 1 3/4"
• Finish Package: Gloss Body w/ Satin Neck
• Headplate Decal: Old Style Gold
• Neck Profile: Golden Era Modified Low Oval
• Nut Material: Bone
• Rosette Style: Style 28 Boltaron
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Top Color: Clear

We are proud to offer the world’s finest Martin Custom Shop pieces. Please feel free to reach out to our team to discuss this instrument or any in our collection.

Empire Music is one of only 24 Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealers!