C F Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe Guitar

The C F Martin D-28 has for many decades been one of the benchmarks for acoustic guitars, and the brand-new Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe brings new features to this venerable design.

Originally introduced around 1911 as a large model for the Ditson company, the D-28 reappeared in the 1930s and has been in production ever since. There have been a number of changes over the years – notably, Brazilian Rosewood has not been used since the early 1970’s – but the core design is unchanged.

Now, the C F Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe brings real, though subtle and not necessarily visually detectable improvements. The top features the VTS – Vintage Tone System treatment – sometimes called torrefication, where the wood passes through a special curing process with moisture and oxygen levels carefully controlled. The result is tonal response strongly resembling aged woods. As well, the bridge plate is now a composite carbon fiber plate rather than hardwood. Likely borrowed from the classical guitar ‘double top’ concept, this increases volume, stiffness and durability, without adding to the weight of the top.

At the headstock, the East Indian Rosewood headplate sports a very nice, 1930’s style script Martin inlaid logo of Abalone, matching the fingerboard ‘snowflake’ position markers.

The original Martin-branded hard shell case, black with burgundy lining by TKL is included.

Here is the official description of the new C F Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe guitar:

“The D-28 Modern Deluxe is a new take on Martin Vintage. This guitar is packed with custom features and modern technology that you have to see, feel, and hear for yourself. The vintage appointments include a Sitka spruce Vintage Tone System (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction that give it the rich, fully aged Martin tone that has inspired generations.

The look is unlike anything in our production line to date with European flamed maple binding, stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and a unique 1930s style script logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include a titanium truss rod, Liquidmetal® bridge pins with red dots, and a composite carbon fiber bridge plate that boosts volume without adding weight.

And we’ve included a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. This guitar is anything but standard.”