Martin D 14 Guitar For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

If you want the ARCHETYPE, the inspiration, the BEST, Go for a Martin. I have a Gibson Original Jumbo 1934 reissue, that sound like heaven, the Martin is another animal, a perfect pair for my Gibson, I'm not a professional, I love blues and fingerpicking in my home with a cigar and a whiskey and my two acoustics and my OMI Dobro Lilly Of The Valley are a treasure for me! The martin have a striped ebony fingerboard and bridge (I like it but some maybe preffer a black one, well are not black), the sound is clear and a joy! The craftmanship is perfect, the case is very nice, the martin strings sound very good (I bought 3 sets of the same), the rosewood is very nice paired, and the top have a beautiful aged tone. This guitar will be with me all my life. About Guitar Center of Miami Mr Mario and Ignacio are nice people!Alejandro

I'm a new guitarist and consider myself very fortunate to be able to afford an instrument like this. I am nowhere near good enough (yet) to get the most out of this guitar, but I will say that even as a beginner (and long-time music lover) I can really hear the difference between this and lesser guitars, and playing on an instrument like this makes learning more rewarding, and dare I say easier. Anything I hear wrong is clearly my technique, which this guitar rewards when you get it right, and makes obvious when you miss. From simple cowboy chords to picked or fingered individual notes this guitar just has tone to die for. Hit an E minor, hard or soft, and each string resonates with depth, clarity and sustain. Playing this guitar is really a dream come true. Oh, I said I'm a beginner and that means that as I write this I've been playing guitar for all of five months. I'm 52-years-old and take weekly 30 minute lessons, have dabbled in online lessons and practice about 15 to 30 minutes on weekdays and about an hour or two on Saturdays and Sundays. I recently sang and played "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues for my family. Just me, my D-28 and beautiful, room-filling tone. There's nothing better.Andrew

I am a singer, songwriter, quartet member and also perform some solo gigs around town. I own 2 other Martin guitars and have grown to prefer them over most other acoustic guitars. I bought this guitar as a Daily Pick from GC on line because the price caught my eye. For a U.S. Made Martin, you can't beat this guitar at this price. It arrived quickly and in good but not great condition. It was dirty and needed a new set of strings. I expected a brand new, in the original box, with all the case candy, etc. That was not what I got. I almost put it back in the box and called GC for a return. It was late in the evening so I tuned it up and started noodling around. Wow! This dirty repack demo of a guitar sounded great. I was really surprised. There was just a little too much relief in the action for my preference but very nice action and easy to play. Played like my other Martins, which I love but with a sound all it's own. It was begging me to sing along. That's what this thing is made for, in my opinion. Solo acoustic performance machine. I thought I'd try it plugged in just to see how cheesy the electronics were. Wow! The Fishman system in this guitar is better than any other guitar I currently have. It is so true to the actual sound from the guitar that I couldn't believe it. I must have played a couple of hours that night. Next morning I called GC and described the condition of the guitar and expressed my disappointment. The associate that I spoke with was very apologetic and set out to make me happy. I ended up keeping the guitar after an agreed upon credit to my GC Credit Card and some free strings. After a top to bottom cleaning, a new set of strings, and slight truss rod adjustment, I am a happy camper. I would definitely recommend this guitar to anyone.TMAX

I wanted to talk about some questions I had when I ordered this guitar. So, here goes! 1. It is an American Martin. Made in Nazareth, PA. 2.The gig bag that comes with this guitar is VERY nice for a gig bag. At the price point I got? I can buy a hard case later if I feel like I want to travel or ship the guitar. 3. The Fishman electronics are simple and discreet. 4. Based on what I am seeing? My particular guitar was built somewhere around 2018. So whilst it is new? This model came out a bit ago. 5. When the guitar arrived? I tuned it twice, and from then? It seems rock solid. 6. I don't know a ton about guitars, nor am I great musician, but I love the way this guitar sounds. Either plugged in or not? It has a bright rich tone. 7. It appears, at least to me, not to need any adjustment. I will keep an eye on this as the guitar ages. 8. I have friends with far more experience and talent than I. Both folks that played this guitar smiled and asked to take it home with them. I think that is a good sign. 9. There isn't anything "fancy" about this guitar. It has that classic simplicity to it. Zero flash or BS. I don't have any regrets about this purchase. It was birthday present to myself. I happened to get an email from GC, and it featured this guitar as a daily pick, with a substantial discount from the normal cost. I took a chance, and I am happy that I did! During the pandemic of 2020? GC and Martin gave me a lovely distraction from the drama and weirdness of daily life. Thanks!GOSTAZ

I have been looking around for a life long acoustic. From just having it and playing for a week I am certain this guitar will outlast me. It's absolutely perfect. The ovangkol is actually really beautiful but I understand some folks think it looks like "fake" wood, but it's not, it's absolutely real. The sound is full and deep. The highs are crystal bright, no muddiness whatsoever. This is a really great guitar. It's so simple. Just the basics, no bells no whistles, just a great guitar.Arnas, G

Overall: Original unopened uninspected by zZounds, in the heavy duty box from Martin. Mine was packed well enough, but still a little surprised how little bubble pack it had, or needed. The guitar seems perfect, no blemishes, straight neck, just beautiful. Rings like a bell despite needing a set up. Saddle has tons of room to sand down to most anyone’s preferred height/action. Nut seems like it’s in similar ready to set up condition. But even out of the box it sounds absolutely great and isn’t terrible to play. The little booklet that comes with it lists features, including “non adjustable” truss rod. I hadn’t come across this in my (limited) research into D18s. Martin guitar forums are divided on it, but I think the idea is “the old ones that people worship didn’t have adjustable truss rods, so we’re following the recipe”. Fine, but why not put that in the specs too? It’s not a cheap guitar. Taking a chance on it and seeing how it does. I’ll care for it properly and if it craps out and needs a neck reset or god forbid a new neck, I’ll rant and rave about it. But for now, let’s see how it sets up!Dan

I can't say enough about this guitar. For as long as I have been a guitar player (and a Pennsylvanian, for that matter) I have known Martin guitars. They are always prominently used and sold around this area. I looked up to my idols who played them, even older players like CSN and Neil Young and Clapton. I dreamed of owning one and as a kid, I loved the white binding on dark wood, seemingly drawing me in to a D-28, which is arguably the most popular Martin ever. As a kid, I almost got a Martin DM, but ended up with a cheaper Epiphone. After college, I decided to get my first Martin Custom D Rosewood – essentially a D-28 with a mortise and tenon neck joint and a D-15 A-Frame bracing and styling – sold exclusively here on MF (and GC). It's a great value for a guitar, but had to keep it constantly humidified because of the thin-skin matte finish. It can get really dried out and in fact, was in that condition when I received it (used). Great guitar, but I was always chasing buying a brand new Martin to call my own. I played some in stores of course and always A/B'd them, but it wasn't until a factory tour that I got a real idea of the breadth that the Martin line possesses. There is the 1833 Shop there with an adjacent players room filled with a good spread of Martins of all values and construction style. I was simply playing them to see which ones spoke to me, sonically and soulfully. I played the D-28, the D-35, the D-41, the D-15, 00-15M, the CEO, a 12 string, Eric Clapton model 000-28, etc. They all had their magic I'm sure, but when I landed on the D-18, I was simply blown away. It had a completely organic and natural sound – I could literally hear the wood. It's an absolutely lovely woody tone – this sounded better than the rest to me. I also LOVE the understand design and simplicity. It's a true working man's instrument – plus it features forward shifted X-Bracing which gives a lot more bass. The new improvements are all choice! 100% my fav. acousticIan from PA

I bought this guitar last year at a locally owned music store and was happy to do so as you don't find many of them stocked at large corporately owned brick and mortar stores. When I purchased it, I fell in love with the look and overall sound of the guitar and felt I was indeed buying a piece of history. The overall materials, finish and body construction are excellent and it produces a rich tone even with older strings. However that is where the positive remarks end. The more I want to love this guitar, the more it disappoints for the simple reason that it is incredibly difficult to play. Whether this is due to a poor set up or poor fretboard construction I really can't say, but I have to put this thing down after more than after five or ten minutes of playing – it is that bad. The same is true for the D-15 I spent a pretty penny on too. How a guitar maker that's supposedly been around since 1833 can produce something this hard to play is beyond me. Older D-18s I have played are not much better as they are incredibly hard to fret and buzz incessantly. So before you spring a couple of grand for this "piece of history," reconsider something that actually plays with ease. For this reason alone, I certainly would never invest in another one of these or a D-28, D-35 etc.. that costs even more. I can name several other major brands that put this guitar to shame due to their playability but won't to avoid embarrassing the manufacturer. But I will say that Martin's quality control folks ought to check these things out before shipping them out the door. Believe me, Martin's reputation and its chances of survival depend on it.Tom R

Overall: I am barely into my third year playing guitar. I progressed from a Yamaha FG800 to an Epiphone Masterbilt DR500 MCE. I always wanted a Martin but I can't drop the coin for the D-18 or the D-28 that I really want, so I bought this without seeing or hearing it. I was honestly worried that a guitar with HPL back and sides could hang with an all solid wood guitar. Bad weather and the Pandemic slowed delivery down to four days via Fedex, but it is what it is. The first half hour of playing I was really wondering if I was going to like it. It took a little time to get used to that booming bottom end. But once I did, I learned to modulate it where necessary. And it plays so much smoother than my Epiphone. I am looking forward to playing with a friend who has a D-28 this summer to just compare them. Listen, I know this a made in Mexico Martin. And purists might turn their nose up. But play one and see, if like me, you think this is an amazing guitar at this price point. Heck. Now I don't know why I should keep the Epiphone. Call me a believer. The only thing i would ask Martin to do is add a nice white or black binding on this to protect the top and add a liitle flair. Heading to the Martin Website to get me a sticker for the mancave and a nice Martin ballcap. Love it.Blair

I had played this Martin D-41 some 25 years ago and was just amazed at the tonal quality and punch this artful guitar produced. Not to mention it was the most beautiful acoustic I'd ever seen. I have played several different brands and models since and nothing quite reached the level of that D-41. I longed for that guitar all those 25 years until last year. Went to my local Guitar Center and they were out of them. I ordered one and a week later it arrived. Took it out of the box and and a crowd of guitar techs gathered over her. Breathtaking look about this guitar. I was sent into a private room and played for 45 minutes just amazed at what she sounded like. The setup was very close to what I'd preferred and will never regret the expenditure for a long time dream guitar. Named her Deena!Tim

I just got my martin d16 gt from guitar center. It's used. I looked up the serial number and it was built in 2000. I was surprised that it was a 22 year old guitar. It's in remarkably good shape for something that close to being an antique.

To be fair, it looks used. There are pick scratches all over the front. A few dings…but that's because the previous owner played it…because it's an out standing instrument. The sound is phenomenal and it plays great. It still looks great even with the cosmetic imperfections.

There is very little fret wear. That was surprising considering it's age. Maybe it's been crowned? Hard to say.

It was a little boxy sounding when I took it out of the box, but it loosened up fast. I could literally hear it opening up as I played it on the first day (I played it a LOT that day).

Phenomenal guitar. Worth every penny, maybe more. Highly suggestRobert Kuhn

Absolutely amazing guitar. I had been shopping for a while, and tried an OM-21 in my local GC. The overtones, the warm tone, I just had to have it! Definitely a forever guitar and could not be happier. Get your hands on one of these!K

I really love this guitar! I purchased in a sunburst finish. There's nothing to dislike. Martin's come with the action a little high, this is to be expected. I took it to a tech to have the action lowered to my taste. Because it's plek'd from the factory, you can really get the action quite low. It's is now the best of my guitars. The sound is so balanced, it's beautiful to behold and to play. I never want to put it down. I've waited a bunch of years to commit…it is everything I wanted and imagined it could be. Martin standard series are all amazing. They Are the Martin sound defined, the reference point. They are not a cheap investment, but they are worth it. Whether you like a short scale hog (000-18), or a long scale Rosewood dread (D-28), you will not be disappointed. I love the long scale OM with rosewood. I wanted a sunburst with understated dark bindings to blend with the sunburst. This is my guitar…it is stellar in every respect. If you can acquire any model of the standard series of martins, you will be blessed with tone and beauty. It will be a lifetime guitar.GGC

I don’t like buying mid to high end guitars in the blind. Even if it’s a Martin, Collings, Taylor etc… but I was able to play 3 M36’s at a store in Nashville and they all sounded the same. I had to think about it because I have a Martin HD28 and it was very close. The thing about the M36 is that it having a OOOO (Jumbo) size body, I got bolder low ends. Finger style was easy and picking was bright and articulate. Problem solved not needing to bring more then one guitar to the recording studio and didn’t have to worry about gigging with it because of the affordability. American Musical Supply always makes it easy with the nice selection and 12 months interest free to get one. I installed (myself) a K&K pure mini pickup and this guitar sings. Thank AMS!T Galloway

I have been really enjoying the OMJM. It actually feels quite similar to a shorter scale guitar, as the neck is so good. only you can properly strum it like a dreadnought if you want to, it feels great having the power and versatility to do so on a smaller bodied guitar. The neck plays great also for the bluesier things too. The sound of it is fantastic, so articulate, and it records so well, you literally don’t have to eq it in anyway, it is so balanced whereby no bass notes/treble notes over power the others even when fingerpicking. very inspiring instrumentReviewed by Project Music custom

I think this is a great guitar. It is a very specific guitar, though. Martin makes nothing else like this. It has a very similar body to the OM-28 and Clapton models, but the neck really sets the guitar apart. The lower profile neck makes it almost play like an electric guitar. I wasn't going exactly for the John Mayer tone, in buying this guitar, but it definitely factored into the purchase. What really sets the guitar apart are the specs. I loved the OM-28 V, and even liked the tone in that guitar a tiny bit more than in the OMJM, because it has a different type of bracing, but I went with the OMJM because the neck, because I couldn't live with the v neck, and the difference in tone is really negligible. I got this guitar as an impusle purchase. I was looking for guitars from the $1,000-$1,500 price range. I figured, though that in that range, especially with Martins and Taylors, I would not have ended up completely satisfied. I saw no point in buying a guitar in that range, especially, as it would be something I could see myself getting rid of after a handful of years. So, I ended up taking a risk with the OMJM and it really paid off. Everyhting quality wise that I was hoping for, and I can see myself keeping this guitar indefinitely. Moreover, just playing the guitar has inspired me and allowed me to reach a new level of playing. It is almost as if my job is to just release songs from this guitar, and they just write themselves. If you can afford it, I definitely recommend investing in this guitar. I can only look forward to it becoming more beautiful with age. The guitar comes with Martin's thinline + pickup system. I actually prefer this system for its simplicity. Though you cannot have complete tone control, all you have to do is plug and play. I have only had enough time to play one show with it, and I plugged it straight into the PA system. I was very surprised at how great the guitar sounded through the system, and found that the pickups reproduced a very accurate and clear tone. In purchasing this guitar, I was looking at a players' series model with the aurora system. Though the guitars do not compare, I was less inclined to purchase one of the players series. Though the features are great on that system, I was most nervous about out of warranty repairs. Though the thinline system in the OMJM is simple by comparrison to Taylor's ES, or the Aurora system, it won't be a huge cost to replace down the road if things go wrong with it. I also enjoy the system because the OMJM retains the look of a true acoustic, and the only thing that gives it away is the jack incorprated into the strap button. The quality on this guitar is up there with the best guitars I have ever played. Though the guitar looks stellar in pictures, you really have to see the guitar in person to appreciate the workmanship. Furthermore, the inlays and bindings are very tastefully done. They are not too flashy, and when included with the vintage toner and open gear tuners, they really make for a rich looking guitar. The guitar looks especially great in the case, as the maroon liner really complements the vintage toner and finish. The finish upon receiving the guitar was flawless and the aroma of the rosewood sides and spruce top really hit you when you first open the case. I have had the guitar for a couple of months now and that smell is still one of my favorite qualities of the guitar. Even the small things, like the pickguard which was perfectly flawlessly polished and was of a much higher quality than the printed tortoise shell pickguards of other similarly priced guitars. In terms of tone, I don't think anything beats this guitar. I am partial to rosewoods, but this guitar really sings, given that it is a narrower and smaller body. This guitar plays everything well from strumming to fingerstyle. I love how not only is the guitar loud and warm, but it gives more of a raw, masculine tone. I think a lot of people feel that you are paying for the name with this guitar, but it is based off of the OM-28 vintage, and that guitar is $3100 dollars. With the OMJM, you get not only the pickup system installed, but also higher quality inlays in the bridge pins and the paua rosette lining the soundhole. Is it worth the $200 dollar premium? More or less, yes. I was a little disappointed with the case. The black layer began to peel less than a month into owning the guitar. Also, the locking latch keeps jamming and when it pops out, the top slams back down. I don't think it is bad, but just another annoying thing. Aesthetically, it is a great case, but it has not up to the standards I was hoping for. Also, not a big fan of the "JMC" embroidered on it. Always face questions about whose initials they are.Mdn25

I both strum and fingerpick and this guitar just sings. It wasn't so out of the box, terrible action! A trip to my luthier friend and she came alive! Delivery was a bit late and nerve racking but all was good when i first opened the case… wow what a gorgeous sight and that smell… wow!David

I own two other Martins (1970 D12-35 and1971 D42) both of which have aged beautifully and sound incredible. Both guitars needed to be set up, as back then out of the box from Martin high actions seemed to be the norm. Took a Martin factory tour in PA a few years ago and was floored by a demo stock D28. I've wanted one ever since. Walked into a Guitar Center while in NJ on a whim (alone, wife would have dragged me off) and tried various D28's, and even a D45. When I got to the D28 MD, well, it was all over. Haggled over price, then purchased it – this was back in Feb 2020, pre-Covid. Loved it out of the box. Pleke'd for perfect action, (absolutely no setup needed), beautifully appointed and incredible clear and distinctive bass, treble mid-range, whether finger picked (using finger picks or just fingers) or picking. It's now August, 6 months later, and…the sound is still a jaw-dropper every time I play. If you want a premium sounding player, that is also visually satisfying without being ostentatious, and your budget can permit, this is the one.Steven

The Martin "Special OM-28 VTS" guitar is outstanding in every way. WOW! It arrived with a perfect set-up. Its case is also a small upgrade over Martin 15 and 17 series' wood covered cases, and good enough. I contacted Martin about the VTS top on the guitar before buying. I wanted to know that if after torrefaction the top was going to continue to age, albeit much more slowly that new wood? My question was answered promptly by a customer service employee at Martin who said he asked my question to Martin's head of Instrument Design. The answer was yes, the VTS top will continue to age, very slowly. So, it is not a dead top. Derek was my sales associate and he could not have been more kind and patient. After all, buying a higher-end Martin isn't cheap. My guitar is labeled "Special" on its wooden serial number plate and not "Custom." The sales tags say "Custom." Guitar Center/Musicians Friend ordered 100 a of these exact guitars as a "Custom" order from Martin. It sold out and ordered more. The extras, mine included are called "Custom." I knew this before I made my purchase. My "Special OM-28 VTS" guitar is of heirloom quality.Chris

I wanted a rosewood 000 or OM. Almost brought a used omjm a couple different times. MF has had some smoking sales lately and I missed a couple good deals because I didn't pull the trigger. When this beacame part of the FALL sale knowing the omjm and 000-28ec is based on this basic model and this model had VTS, I just did it, tossed aside self control, took the heavyest one they had and here it is. After a few self tweaks to the truss rod, lowering the saddle a couple mm, like tone wowsville, this sounds as loud and has as much bass response as my HD-28e retro. Even my wife noticed. You know how wives are, they let us have multiple guitars so we don't get multiple girl friends, and she noticed how good this sounded over an HD28e retro, an 000-18e retro, a gpcpa1 big leaf maple custom shop, a 000-15m, she never knows what I am playing until this guitar. Now if she knows and hears the difference imagine how much I and you will notice how fripping sweet this guitar sounds and plays. This sounds incredibly good and should be added to your arsenal of guitars. The neck is like butter. Adding Fishman AG series passive piezo for electronics. My top has red streaks going through it, says sitka but I've only seen Engleman red spruce like that. The VTS is amazing, Better get one of these before none are left! I think I got the next to last one.OttoMatick

I normally do not write reviews, but was compelled to do so in this case. While I only play as a hobby, to me, this is a fantastic guitar and a terrific bargain. I am not a fan of gloss finishes and fancy inlays. Yes, this guitar is no frills, but to me it looks great and sounds beautiful. It is a joy to play, and I think this instrument even makes me sound like a better player than I actually am 😉 Mine was purchased directly from the Musicians Friend website last year. For this money you are getting an all solid wood, built in the USA, Martin. Best bang for your buck in my opinion. Plus you get a Hard Shell case. If I ever had to sell all my guitars, this would be the last to go. So glad I found it and purchased it.steve363

Solid Mahogany back and sides Solid Sitka spruce top Full Dreadnought shape & size Made in the U.S. This is a bargain and a steal. If youre on a budget and can only get one Martin acoustic guitar in your life, make this the one. Its beautiful sounding. You wont regret it.gentleman808

After playing guitar for almost 50 years, I finally obtained a job that afforded me the opportunity to purchase, what has turned out to be, the best sounding guitar I've owned. She is so responsive to how you play, dig in for more volume, ease up for someone else's lead.. she does not disappoint. I'm in awe every time I play it. Even my picking buddies are blow away by her. Saddle was a little high, but after a good set up, she plays like she sounds…beautiful.Paul

The box arrived that was originally sealed with big copper staples by Martin. I carefully opened the box, removed the case with guitar. I open the case not knowing what to expect as it was bought sight unseen. I open the case and was immediately hit with the smell of rosewood while my eyes gazed upon a gorgeous flawless work of art. I removed the guitar, tuned it up and was swept away with the huge, harmonically-rich tone. The action was absolutely perfect out of the case (low). It was so comfortable to play I thought the strings were light gauge 11's, but a micrometer confirmed they were medium 13's. The only thing I will swap out is the bridge pins and end piece. They are plastic. I will replace them with bone or titanium. If you do the same, make sure that the taper is 5 degrees, size 2A. This is not my first Martin. I've had a D-28 and D-35S. The last time I owned one was in 1985. The great quality is still the same. What a great guitar from a great company!Mike McLenison

In 1974 a friend of mine got a '65 Brazilian rosewood HD-35 for Christmas. I have wanted one ever since. I have played for 50 years and owned many fine instruments, all the names you know. IMHO this is the BEST acoustic guitar made by anyone! It's drop-dead beautiful, sounds extremely deep and rich, plays like butter, and being all-solid-wood, ages very well. Truthfully it is also a source of great pride of ownership, always recognized by those who are "in the know" about fine guitars. It IS expensive (and how!) but worth every penny. I suggest waiting for the 48-month, no-interest financing.Clint C.

I've bought several guitars along the way, always knowing that I wanted a Martin 000. Somehow I found myself able to get the guitar I've always wanted and I'm so happy! Why did I wait so long? First of all, Martin Guitars are very nice. VERY NICE. The best. Especially once you get into the 18 series on up. The quality and craftsmanship lives up to the reputation. Of course, all of the hard work that Martin puts into their instruments results in breathtaking sound that only a Martin Guitar can produce. As soon as I picked up the guitar I could feel the power. My first chord was an open D, my go to key anytime I pick up a guitar to try. It's something you have to feel, but all I can really say is that the sound of this 000-18 is glorious. A very round classic sound, with a bit of chime on top. This 000-18 has a wide sonic range, but mid-range focused. The mahogany has that sweet tone which is great for all styles of play. This is definitely a finger pickers dream guitar, but can handle flat picking. I also like that I can lay into this guitar and the strumming remains crisp and not muddy. Drop tunings and capo up and down the neck is near perfect! This is my all around, do it all guitar! This guitar sings. Projection, sustain, volume when you need it, it's all there! Some guitars sound boxy and cheap. Not Martin. Not this one. It actually sounds like I should have paid more. The 000-18 does not come with electronics, but that's okay. You may not want any for this guitar. At least for a while. If you're a professional gigging musician than you could add a pickup, but there could be other choices out there suitable for gigging and amplified performance. The Sitka spruce top is gorgeous. Booked perfectly with silking that I can spend forever looking at. The neck is very smooth and modern feeling. I like it because it's not too thin, but allows me to play all styles. Satin finish makes me want to play all day long. And YES. I shallJay

This guitar is simply dreamy. Warm bass, chimey trebles, overtones all day long. Quality woods and finish, beautiful classic looks, great playability. Tone is everything I'd hoped for and more. Think Neil Young Harvest, Joni, acoustic John Martyn. After the disappointment of getting a very good-sounding but obviously damaged example from another supplier, I pre-ordered from Andertons, and received the HD sooner than expected. Ups and downs. Maybe it was the ghost of the first purchase haunting me – perhaps that first one had had time to open up more. But something didn't quite gel. No problem. Within the 14-day return period it was easy to arrange for an exchange for another of the same model. A few days later the courier came to picked up the guitar and hand over my third time lucky. Very quickly I realised I was Goldilocks in this tale, and this Martin was just right. It sounds just a little better every day and I love it! Not a cheap guitar, but a competitive price from Andertons for this iconic instrument.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: Once again zZounds has pulled through for me and allowed me to purchase a Martin HD28 and play it as I pay. I'm extremely grateful that zZounds has allowed me to participate in this program and it's for this reason and the excellent customer service, that I'll never purchase any gear from any other retailer. Thank you zZounds!The Martin HD28 that I purchased can be described with just one word, amazing. I've owned many acoustics in my lifetime from every builder you can think of and I'm convinced that Martin builds the absolute best acoustic guitars. My HD28 arrived in beautiful pristine condition with no issues whatsoever. Examining the inside of my guitar, you can see no glue drops and the Guitar is super clean. Great attention was given to this instrument in all aspects of the build. The wood is absolutely beautiful and the instrument is a true work of art. This instrument sounds absolutely beautiful. She has deep lows, articulate mids and crystal clear highs. The instrument is very well balanced across it's sonic spectrum. I might add that the Guitar is very loud without having to dig in hard. I'd say it's quite the cannon with tons of color and sustain. I purchased the Martin Liquid Bridge pins, installed them and I can certainly tell the difference. It's made the guitar a bit brighter and a little louder. I'm very happy with this purchase and I definitely have a keeper.Matt

I've bought several guitars along the way, always knowing that I wanted a Martin 000. Somehow I found myself able to get the guitar I've always wanted and I'm so happy! Why did I wait so long? First of all, Martin Guitars are very nice. VERY NICE. The best. Especially once you get into the 18 series on up. The quality and craftsmanship lives up to the reputation. Of course, all of the hard work that Martin puts into their instruments results in breathtaking sound that only a Martin Guitar can produce. As soon as I picked up the guitar I could feel the power. My first chord was an open D, my go to key anytime I pick up a guitar to try. It's something you have to feel, but all I can really say is that the sound of this 000-18 is glorious. A very round classic sound, with a bit of chime on top. This 000-18 has a wide sonic range, but mid-range focused. The mahogany has that sweet tone which is great for all styles of play. This is definitely a finger pickers dream guitar, but can handle flat picking. I also like that I can lay into this guitar and the strumming remains crisp and not muddy. Drop tunings and capo up and down the neck is near perfect! This is my all around, do it all guitar! This guitar sings. Projection, sustain, volume when you need it, it's all there! Some guitars sound boxy and cheap. Not Martin. Not this one. It actually sounds like I should have paid more. The 000-18 does not come with electronics, but that's okay. You may not want any for this guitar. At least for a while. If you're a professional gigging musician than you could add a pickup, but there could be other choices out there suitable for gigging and amplified performance. The Sitka spruce top is gorgeous. Booked perfectly with silking that I can spend forever looking at. The neck is very smooth and modern feeling. I like it because it's not too thin, but allows me to play all styles. Satin finish makes me want to play all day long. And YES. I shallJay

This guitar is simply dreamy. Warm bass, chimey trebles, overtones all day long. Quality woods and finish, beautiful classic looks, great playability. Tone is everything I'd hoped for and more. Think Neil Young Harvest, Joni, acoustic John Martyn. After the disappointment of getting a very good-sounding but obviously damaged example from another supplier, I pre-ordered from Andertons, and received the HD sooner than expected. Ups and downs. Maybe it was the ghost of the first purchase haunting me – perhaps that first one had had time to open up more. But something didn't quite gel. No problem. Within the 14-day return period it was easy to arrange for an exchange for another of the same model. A few days later the courier came to picked up the guitar and hand over my third time lucky. Very quickly I realised I was Goldilocks in this tale, and this Martin was just right. It sounds just a little better every day and I love it! Not a cheap guitar, but a competitive price from Andertons for this iconic instrument.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: Once again zZounds has pulled through for me and allowed me to purchase a Martin HD28 and play it as I pay. I'm extremely grateful that zZounds has allowed me to participate in this program and it's for this reason and the excellent customer service, that I'll never purchase any gear from any other retailer. Thank you zZounds!The Martin HD28 that I purchased can be described with just one word, amazing. I've owned many acoustics in my lifetime from every builder you can think of and I'm convinced that Martin builds the absolute best acoustic guitars. My HD28 arrived in beautiful pristine condition with no issues whatsoever. Examining the inside of my guitar, you can see no glue drops and the Guitar is super clean. Great attention was given to this instrument in all aspects of the build. The wood is absolutely beautiful and the instrument is a true work of art. This instrument sounds absolutely beautiful. She has deep lows, articulate mids and crystal clear highs. The instrument is very well balanced across it's sonic spectrum. I might add that the Guitar is very loud without having to dig in hard. I'd say it's quite the cannon with tons of color and sustain. I purchased the Martin Liquid Bridge pins, installed them and I can certainly tell the difference. It's made the guitar a bit brighter and a little louder. I'm very happy with this purchase and I definitely have a keeper.Matt

What is neat about these guitars is that the Special Martins are the specification of Martin CEO Chris Martin. He did an extremely nice job on the configuration, balancing standard bracing, rose tone wood, and the VTS adirondack top. The combination provides this guitar with a fantastic full spread of frequencies, separation of string tones, and the stability of standard bracing, which allows for the guitar's even responsiveness providing clarity at all volumes. Put this guitar in a nice sounding room with a good (not excellent) microphone and I cannot imagine a better way to record. If you can sing over this guitar, you will have to strain. The ability to hold tune always amazes me about Martin guitars and this guitar is no different. It is a great deal at full price, but I got mine at $1K off because someone thankfully brought it back. A sturdy plastic shelled case exactly fits the guitar. A part of me hopes they stop making this configuration so the value goes up, but then again, it should be played and mine will just go to one of my children who will enjoy it as I have.Grace

Previous reviewer spot on. Adi, VTS top, scalloped but NOT forward shifted bracing. Here is where I differ from previous reviewer. This to me has the sound of an older D-28, it just happens to be in HD-28 uniform. It projects better, is louder and you can play it hard without the notes getting muddy. Bluegrass heaven…. Just to be fair it is not as mellow sounding nor does it quite have the bottom end of an HD-28 unless you play it like you stole it (this guitar takes it) and I like that. Everyone has opinions, different likes and ears. But I consider this a wonderful guitar. It does not have open gear machine heads like the HD-28, but I do not mind closed tuners at all. The head stock has the raised foil Martin logo (nice touch that most folks may not notice). Fit and finish all MARTIN……….M. Nelms

This guitar sounds fantastic and plays great. I also own a J45, 000-18 Reimagined, and HD-28. I've owned Guilds and Taylors too. Hey Musician's Friend, the guitar in this ad is not what is shipped to customers. Just a heads up. Your ad should not feature anything about Golden Era or 1930's braced. This guitar is mid shifted and straight braced like a 1950-1970's D28. This is a significant difference in construction and voice for a very expensive instrument. Also the photo is still wrong. There is no herringbone detail on this guitar and the pickguard is black. There's also no aging toner. After emailing Martin, they've told me that this guitar has VTS Adi, center shifted straight bracing, 5/16th brace width, and the 1 11/16" nut. Great sounding guitar. Super loud and articulate. Also, Musicians Friend, you guys look really silly for goofing up an ad this bad. I told multiple sales people that this ad was wrong and they only changed the photo — to a second wrong guitar. You need to get bracing details right for a $3000+ guitar. It's really important. I feel like I lucked out with my purchase, but after interacting with your company my impression is that you are nice people who are not interested in selling world class instruments. Get ahold of me if you'd like to talk. I'm shocked that Martin is OK selling their products through a vendor who knows so little about them. I don't recommend this guitar because it's basically like buying a really expensive mystery box. The ad doesn't make sense and the photos are wrong.Tony

I've bought several guitars along the way, always knowing that I wanted a Martin 000. Somehow I found myself able to get the guitar I've always wanted and I'm so happy! Why did I wait so long? First of all, Martin Guitars are very nice. VERY NICE. The best. Especially once you get into the 18 series on up. The quality and craftsmanship lives up to the reputation. Of course, all of the hard work that Martin puts into their instruments results in breathtaking sound that only a Martin Guitar can produce. As soon as I picked up the guitar I could feel the power. My first chord was an open D, my go to key anytime I pick up a guitar to try. It's something you have to feel, but all I can really say is that the sound of this 000-18 is glorious. A very round classic sound, with a bit of chime on top. This 000-18 has a wide sonic range, but mid-range focused. The mahogany has that sweet tone which is great for all styles of play. This is definitely a finger pickers dream guitar, but can handle flat picking. I also like that I can lay into this guitar and the strumming remains crisp and not muddy. Drop tunings and capo up and down the neck is near perfect! This is my all around, do it all guitar! This guitar sings. Projection, sustain, volume when you need it, it's all there! Some guitars sound boxy and cheap. Not Martin. Not this one. It actually sounds like I should have paid more. The 000-18 does not come with electronics, but that's okay. You may not want any for this guitar. At least for a while. If you're a professional gigging musician than you could add a pickup, but there could be other choices out there suitable for gigging and amplified performance. The Sitka spruce top is gorgeous. Booked perfectly with silking that I can spend forever looking at. The neck is very smooth and modern feeling. I like it because it's not too thin, but allows me to play all styles. Satin finish makes me want to play all day long. And YES. I shallJay

This guitar is simply dreamy. Warm bass, chimey trebles, overtones all day long. Quality woods and finish, beautiful classic looks, great playability. Tone is everything I'd hoped for and more. Think Neil Young Harvest, Joni, acoustic John Martyn. After the disappointment of getting a very good-sounding but obviously damaged example from another supplier, I pre-ordered from Andertons, and received the HD sooner than expected. Ups and downs. Maybe it was the ghost of the first purchase haunting me – perhaps that first one had had time to open up more. But something didn't quite gel. No problem. Within the 14-day return period it was easy to arrange for an exchange for another of the same model. A few days later the courier came to picked up the guitar and hand over my third time lucky. Very quickly I realised I was Goldilocks in this tale, and this Martin was just right. It sounds just a little better every day and I love it! Not a cheap guitar, but a competitive price from Andertons for this iconic instrument.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: Once again zZounds has pulled through for me and allowed me to purchase a Martin HD28 and play it as I pay. I'm extremely grateful that zZounds has allowed me to participate in this program and it's for this reason and the excellent customer service, that I'll never purchase any gear from any other retailer. Thank you zZounds!The Martin HD28 that I purchased can be described with just one word, amazing. I've owned many acoustics in my lifetime from every builder you can think of and I'm convinced that Martin builds the absolute best acoustic guitars. My HD28 arrived in beautiful pristine condition with no issues whatsoever. Examining the inside of my guitar, you can see no glue drops and the Guitar is super clean. Great attention was given to this instrument in all aspects of the build. The wood is absolutely beautiful and the instrument is a true work of art. This instrument sounds absolutely beautiful. She has deep lows, articulate mids and crystal clear highs. The instrument is very well balanced across it's sonic spectrum. I might add that the Guitar is very loud without having to dig in hard. I'd say it's quite the cannon with tons of color and sustain. I purchased the Martin Liquid Bridge pins, installed them and I can certainly tell the difference. It's made the guitar a bit brighter and a little louder. I'm very happy with this purchase and I definitely have a keeper.Matt