Martin D-28 Dreadnought vs 000-28 Comparison

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There is no doubt both the Martin D-28 and 000-28 are both awesome guitars. But which one is best for you? Let's find out!
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[@danielallen7384]

FINALLY!!! A video that plays them back to back. Instead of playing one for 5 mins straight then playing the other. THANK YOU!!!

[@y036d]

Best comparison I've see of the two sizes, well done!

[@johngilbert5875]

Thanks so much. This is the best comparison video I’ve seen with the clearest explanations.

[@rocknroll4ever7]

Great and informative! Thanks for the video.

[@TheWhistlingCyclist]

Excellent comparison, well done 👍

[@juana1483]

To curl up on your couch, or bed----parlor guitar. I've had dreadnoughts for decades, and finally have a parlor on the way. Love the shorter scale length too.

[@ukeplaya1]

Excellent video!!

[@johnwbanjo]

I play a 000-28 and a D18. They do sound different. I grab the D when I need string bass to go along with other instruments (and the mahogany body is great for a smooth overall response). The 000 is fantastic for finger picking and accompanying vocals.

[@bsideguitar]

That is a perfect summary ;) thanks for the comment.

[@BenLangley101]

Hope you're right. Going to run the the same combo, love my D-18 to death, and currently waiting for a 000-28

[@el34glo59]

@@BenLangley101 so how'd you end up liking it

[@nathanpartin7197]

I got a single 0 18 I love it

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

On my dreads they are all 1 11/16 at the nut. My 000 is 1 3/4, as well as a couple others. For fingerpicking, the 1 3/4 makes a big difference. There are many options, but that in itself is one of the first things I look at when buying guitars. I'm hugely blessed to have many awesome Martins, from 30's, 40's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, etc. No 50's... :( currently my favorite is a 1962 00-18, the tone is just one of those super special dreams. But I go around between them all. My favorite of all time was a 2011 OM28V, where the string spacing was even slightly wider at the bridge. Fingerpicking and strumming were magic! But, I gave her to a kid who was incredible and passionate. Oh well. Life is great and Martins are amazing instruments.

[@danherrick5785]

You are a wonderful human. What you gave will return to you 10 fold. I sold 1 11/16 guitars back because I learned 1 3/4 was my size for fingerstyle. I use mine for strumming and picking. They make 1 3/4 dreads. But with that history, I would not let them go either, unless there was another incredible and passionate kid that needed it of course... Did you give that OM28V to a kid named billy strings?

[@m.j.t.cassandra9907]

Looking for an 000-28 MD, I play mostly on a GUILD D55 (huge !...sound), so I think I'll go starbord towards a D28 MD ; your demonstration is very and soundly clear ! Thanks a lot sir.

[@viper2148]

Excellent choice! In more than one comparison video the Guild D55 has done quite well against its Gibson and Taylor rivals. IMHO the 000 would give you the clear option for variation, in particular finger-style playing; the D28 being ‘the one guitar to rule them all’ and always an excellent choice.

[@Lalairu]

It is a matter of what you need and what feels better for you. That is why we have so many different guitars (not only in the acoustic world). I love both (well I actually love all guitars lol ), but Ds are too big, I had to switch to a folk. I have a Tanglewood union Folk now, and I might save for a Sigma 00015-m in the future.

[@terrylacny3614]

... you can't explain it any better than that. Just what I needed.

[@publius1564]

very informative

[@PainkillerDCXVI]

You can fix the weaker bass response on triple 0s by having the all mahogany ones. It sounds great and its perfect for finger picking.

[@Elflamencojuan]

Yeah, my 00015 is just that and has good sustain. Not as bright as the 00017 or 18 but very warm and bluesy.

[@pankajjoshi2032]

If you're into fingerstyle, get a 00-28 MD; it sounds more balanced than a 000. Thank you.

[@viper2148]

Very good video though I wish you had explored the difference in scale length a bit and its effect on finger style guitar and strumming. Cheers!

[@pennrj430]

I think the Dred sounds great as a singer songwriter instrument but in band, the lows get a little lost in the mix. The OM sits better in a mix with with a bass and drums and cuts through a bit more.

[@endoffate5475]

Yes its more focus.

[@simonmiles1972]

You can really hear the difference in this comparison. It's very helpful. Thanks.

[@bsideguitar]

Glad it helped!

[@lefauxpas]

What a great video. An excellent comparison between the two sizes. I have a 00028 which I love. But I’m thinking about a D18 for “strumming”. It was hard to understand the size differences (I don’t live near a fully stocked Martin dealer), when I used measurements against my 00028 the difference didn’t seem that great, but once I watched this video and saw the comparison with them side-by-side, I really understood what it was all about. So thank you very much.

[@garychen483]

I’m actually looking for an HD28 or 000-28. This video has perfectly demonstrated the difference between those two. And now I know it for sure that Dreadnought definitely has deeper and fuller tones than 000-28; whereas, 000-28 is more comfortable and easier to play than dreadnought. I’m going with HD-28.

[@kennethchambers9949]

I had an HD28 but because of some hand and shoulder problems sold it. To hard to play for me. I have the ,000 28 on order. I hope I made a good decision. If your healthy with good strength you will love the HD. good luck.

[@garychen483]

@@kennethchambers9949Both are great guitars but the difference is made by the different sizes. Bigger body definitely provides more volume. Another thing I wanna say is that if you play in front of people, HD-28 might be better choice for sending out better vibes; whereas, if you play alone, 000-28 might be a better choice for immersing yourself deeper into music. With that being said, HD-28 is not better than 000-28 or vice versa. You’ll never go wrong with either one. I don’t have small hands and I have no physical issues so my 55% of my choice would be with HD-28 and 45% with 000-28. Lol

[@brandonkeller478]

You should’ve used models that are in the standard series. The modern deluxe and authentic series are significantly different from each other.

[@joshuabrande2417]

I have one of each except my D is an H-D. Yes, there is some less bass in the 000, but not a whole lot and as said, if you're plugged in, that loss can be overcome. The 000 has a fatter V style neck which takes some getting used to, the neck is wider, better suiter for fingerstyle but sounds great picked. I love both of them.

[@wheninroamful]

Hello, im looking into buying a Martin, have wanted one for 20 years, and now im less wild, i can take care of one. Anyway, i played a D 28 the other day and it was the ease of playing and smaller neck size that made my playing so easy and beautiful. I didn't know the "000 has a fatter V style neck which takes some getting used to, the neck is wider, better suiter for fingerstyle"; so im hesitant to get the 000 because i loved the exact neck shape of the D 28; so my question is: Is there another less expensive Dreadnaught or "bassier" Martine with the exact same neck size? Thanks.

[@cammarc]

If the 000 is good enough for Clapton, it's good enough for me. In all seriousness though, while dreadnoughts are classics, there's something special about 000s for me. Also, the standard series 000-28 has different bracing which apparently gives it more bass than this one. Not that I would know though, as I've never had the chance to have one, but it is my dream guitar.

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

Well they made a great sounding ooo s with the re-imagined series. The standard series is in my opinion even nicer than the modern deluxe one. Generally speaking D28 or ooo28 depends on your purpose - D28 more for strummers - ooo28 more for fingerpickers.

[@cammarc]

@@janeandthecoolcats5033 I also tend to prefer the 000 to play with a band or accompanying vocals which is what I would need it for anyway.

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

L. Marc check out Josh Turner Guitar channel. he uses his ooo amazingly. thank me later :)

[@europeanzorro4330]

Always trust your ear and taste. Clapton may have a different taste. Saying that I prefer the ooo-28

[@SB-kk3wi]

Keep in mind that the modern deluxe 000-28 used here has forward bracing which is designed to reduce bass response. Standard 000-28 have more bass response than this model. Otherwise great review.

[@reverb508]

Forward shifted bracing will typically result in more bass, not less. The further towards the soundhole you move the X Brace, the more the lower bout of the guitar is allowed to vibrate, creating a greater bass response.

[@el34glo59]

FS is more bass

[@quellidelnido]

OR you get, as I did, a US Martin gran performance body that gives you the best of both worlds ! and it is cut away too! :)

[@endoffate5475]

Im seriously starting to think that a ooo sounds better than a dread... People always talk about how they sound better for finger picking and thats true but i find that for melodic strumming for exemple: using more exotic chords and kinda smooth melodic playing, the ooo is also better. Where the dread would win would be for bluegrass and for big country/rock strumming or riffing..And even that, im not sure.. I just like the tone color of a ooo.

[@endoffate5475]

Heres what im talking about : 7:12 When recording the dread is very bassy.. If you want to bang on it, it will be very difficult to record as the ooo will be way easier.

[@terrylacny3614]

Excelent!

[@ggrahman9371]

I like 000 28...type....that my dream guitar......🤔

[@VaughnFelixMusic]

I just got a custom D and even many martins, right around the E, F and F# notes at the 4th and 5th strings, it sounds a bit dull, low sustain. I’ve had it adjusted a few times, on both guitars, is that just a normal characteristic of Martins. These are both semi-high end guitars.

[@VaughnFelixMusic]

Update. I got 3 dreads and had the same problem, so I exchanged them for the 000-28 Never looked back.

[@tenantrep]

Can you play finger style on a dreadnought?

[@billthomas8094]

Of course

[@FC-jp7ez]

This comparison is only for strumming

[@stevealanbrown]

I feel like the 000 sounds better tbh

[@the_unkowngod_2328]

2 most iconic??? Idk about that lol D28 for sure but the D18 comes in a big second with probably the old all mahagony triple o bodys.

[@bsideguitar]

Point taken. Really should of emphasized iconic body sizes. The OOO really paved the way for the D. Thanks for the comment!

[@the_unkowngod_2328]

@@bsideguitar ya man dont worry lol awsome videos keep it up!! 👍👍👍🤙

[@el34glo59]

I actually like the 000 with rosewood. And hog bsck for dreads

[@kemikalsound902]

So listening to the language and inflections you use when describing both guitars, you obviously favor the D's...Great video...and it's great that you have a preference, many people try to remain so neutral, "we don't want to offend the other guitar sizes"...haha...

[@bsideguitar]

Ha! I really do prefer the D, it’s just what I grew up on ;)

[@danielrains2055]

There is a reason y ed Sheeran, Eric Clapton n James Taylor all play small bodied guitars. They r louder a more responsive in the high n mid range. N my theory is they r louder because being smaller the sound simply has no where to go but out. Take mandolin for example. Small instrument with very big loud sound. But in the high n mid range. U can get a better bass response from the triple O by using medium gauge strings.this will also fatten up the high end so it's not so twangy.

[@soofitnsexy]

agreed but you cannot beat the dreads for fullness and bass

[@el34glo59]

Yeah depending on the bracing. I'm wondering if you can use mediums on a 000 with 1/4 inch bracing

[@nathanpartin7197]

@@el34glo59 I think all current production martin can handle mediums. It doesn't mean mediums will sound better on a smaller guitar especially if it has scalloped braced you just need to experiment and find what works best.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

Yo. The bracing is also different between a 000 and an OM. OMs have scalloped 1/4'' bracing. 000s have non-scalloped 5/16'' bracing. BIG difference.

[@bsideguitar]

Hey hey! Thanks for chiming in. I have a buddy that is a Martin expert so I asked him and he confirmed they are both scalloped. So I also check out the martin site and the specs are scalloped even for the 000's www.martinguitar.com/guitars/standard-series/000-28/ as well as the Modern Deluxe model which was in this video www.martinguitar.com/guitars/modern-deluxe-series/000-28-modern-deluxe/ That does not mean they never did a 000 with non scalloped, but generally speaking, as of today, the specs are all scalloped.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

@@bsideguitar yes I also just saw because of the reimagined 000 they are both scalloped(the 000 used to be non scalloped). that said, the bracing sizes are still different and that impacts the sound a lot.

[@ChanoQlo]

the D-28 sounds thiccer i think, not really into acoustic stuff, so they both are ok i guess haha

[@mrbxv]

Dreadnought sounds better, to my ears.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

VS meaning adversarial, or compared? "most iconic"...No such thing. Something is ICONIC or it is not. Remedial English suggested. Small body shallow depth 24.9 string length compared to huge body, massive depth.. nonsense.

[@Mr.Pink1776]

Dreadnaught all the way.

[@billybabalubalaba3954]

Jonah Hill plays guitar?

[@Grafinalkomarket]

Если уже делаешь сравнение, то пальцами, тоже надо играть, а не херачить медиатором на отмашь!!!

[@alfsriddle]

I hope you will give me a guitar : (

[@spencerbibb897]

Jason Alfs Cuarenta just buy one

[@alfsriddle]

@@spencerbibb897 but, I can't afford to buy a new one :(

[@alfsriddle]

@Wicker Billy How I wish I can, but can't. I'm a working student here in the Philippines.

[@eddieh311]

Did you buy a guitar yet?

[@alfsriddle]

@@eddieh311 No, I didn't. I can't afford even the cheapest one here in Philippines.

[@John-wr6yo]

They both can be flat picked or finger picked its all up to the player and individual skill sets. But anyone with any knowledge of martin tradition knows the triple ooo is a traditional fingerstyle guitar. The big dreads are for flat picking and accompaniment of vocals and instrumentals. I think ,usualy there will always be more bass in the dreadnought. I have all sizes and shapes. My new ooo 28 deluxe is my new favorite girlfriend. I have a Chris bozung d 18 style dreadnought. My ooo 18 two thousand fifteen model has the performance fast taper neck on it,and it has it own great mojo ,sound, and sweet playability