Since the 14-fret iteration was unveiled in 1934, the Martin D-28 has set the standard by which all acoustic guitars are judged. With massive bass response and articulate high end detail, it's easy to understand why the D-28 has been the choice of guitarists across a wide array of genres and generations of players. The D-28 is the quintessential workhorse. From Hank Sr. and Johnny Cash to Neil Young, The Beatles, and Jimmy Page, every guitarist sounds right on a D-28.

“The post WWII D-28 had a slightly different look than its predecessor and became the centerpiece of the folk and folk rock movements at their pinnacle in the 1950s and 1960s." says Chris Martin, Chairman and owner of Martin Guitar, "We have extracted the finest features from the D-28 of both my grandfather’s and my father’s respective eras."

These days, Martin offers the D-28 in a thin Satin nitrocellulose finish, which is a cool alternative to the traditional high-gloss finish. We ordered this D-28 Satin with the 1935 Sunburst pattern on the top, and this is one of our favorite options in the current Martin Standard Series. From there, it's a straightforward D-28: Spruce top, East Indian Rosewood back and sides with a 1-3/4" nut width. The rosewood dreadnought is ubiquitous for a reason: it does everything well. Versatile and it will only get better with age. 

Starting in 2025, Martin also refreshed the Standard Series with Golden Era specs to enhance tone, comfort, and style. This D-28 Satin 1935 Burst has the same Spruce Forward-shifted GE-Scalloped top bracing you find on the Modern Deluxe Series. Low lows, detailed highs and response and dynamics to match any playing style. The bracing helps the model consistently deliver vintage-inspired tone and sustain, and updates like a reimagined neck profile, thinner fingerboard, and refined bridge and heel improve playability and aesthetics. 

• Top: Solid Spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid East Indian Rosewood
• Bracing: Forward-Shifted, GE-Scalloped 5/16" X-Bracing
• Nut: Bone, 1-3/4"
• Neck Profile: Golden Era Modified Low Profile w/ High Performance Taper
• Fingerboard & Bridge: Solid Ebony
• Saddle: Compensated Bone, 2-5/32" string spacing
• Finish: Satin 1935 Sunburst
• Top Inlay Material: Bold Herringbone
• Fingerboard Inlay: Mother-of-Pearl Style-28 Dots
• Tuning Machines: Open-Gear Grover w/ Butterbean buttons