Martin Custom Shop D-28 Modern Deluxe – Adirondack Top – Overview

The Martin Custom Shop D-28 Modern Deluxe blends the legendary power of the rosewood dreadnought with the refined upgrades of the Modern Deluxe platform, enhanced by a premium Adirondack spruce top. Built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania by Martin’s Custom Shop luthiers, this exceptional instrument pairs an Adirondack spruce soundboard with East Indian rosewood back and sides, delivering deep piano-like bass, shimmering overtones, and the powerful projection that has defined the iconic D-28 for generations.

This Custom Shop example elevates the traditional D-28 Modern Deluxe with an Adirondack spruce top — a tonewood prized for its exceptional headroom, clarity, and dynamic range. Combined with Martin’s innovative Modern Deluxe Series features, including forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing, the guitar offers the responsiveness and tonal authority of a classic Martin dreadnought with the performance advantages of modern engineering.

Tone & Performance

The Adirondack top gives this D-28 Modern Deluxe increased dynamic range and exceptional projection while maintaining the rich tonal complexity that makes rosewood dreadnoughts so distinctive. Expect powerful bass fundamentals, lush harmonic overtones, and clear, ringing trebles that carry effortlessly in both solo and ensemble settings.

Players will notice outstanding headroom and responsiveness under a heavier attack, making the guitar ideal for bluegrass flatpicking, dynamic strumming, and modern acoustic performance. At the same time, the balanced tonal response allows for excellent clarity and articulation in studio and fingerstyle applications.

Construction & Modern Deluxe Features

Martin’s traditional dovetail neck joint and solid wood construction preserve the resonance and tonal depth expected from a handcrafted American-built acoustic guitar. The Modern Deluxe platform introduces several advanced features including a titanium truss rod that reduces neck weight and improves overall responsiveness, along with a Liquidmetal bridge pin system designed to maximize energy transfer from the strings to the soundboard.

The comfortable Vintage Deluxe neck profile with High-Performance Taper and 1 3/4" nut width provides modern playability while maintaining the familiar feel many Martin players prefer. An ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and premium gold Waverly tuning machines complete the instrument with both performance and visual elegance.

Serial Number: 2981126

Professionally inspected and ready to ship.

Specifications

• Body Size: D-14 Fret
• Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint / Titanium Truss Rod
• Top Material: Adirondack Spruce
• Bracing: 5/16" Adirondack
• Back & Sides: East Indian Rosewood
• Neck Shape: Vintage Deluxe / High-Performance Taper
• Nut & Saddle: Bone / Gold Frets
• Fingerboard & Bridge: Ebony
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Nut Width: 1 3/4"
• Bridge Spacing: 2 5/32"
• Tuning Machines: Gold Waverly
• Case: Hardshell Case

Explore Martin Modern Deluxe Models

The Martin Modern Deluxe Series combines vintage Martin craftsmanship with innovative design features including VTS-treated tops, titanium truss rods, and Liquidmetal bridge pins.

Serving Musicians Since 1991