Martin D-28 Satin - Compared to Standard D-28

Just released from Martin at the 2023 NAMM Show… the Martin D28 Satin. Just like a standard D28, but with a satin finish, making it lighter, louder, and more woody in tone. Also more affordable! What do you think?
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GUITAR SPECS:
Back & Side Wood: Indian Rosewood
Body Size: Dreadnought
Top Wood: Spruce
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
Bracing Pattern: Forward Shifted "X" Non-Scalloped
Scale Length: 25.4"
String Spacing at Saddle: 2 5/32"
Acoustic Pickup: Optional
Tuners: Nickel Open-Geared
Case: Martin Hardshell
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[@lylehutz]

I literally want to visit Montana just for this store.

[@uvp5000]

The Standard D28 has a more resonant soundboard. They're both nice instruments. If one wanted a D28, this is a good demonstration video.

[@divineheartsworship6035]

Thank you Paul for hand picking me the most gorgeous Martin HD35. It’s a dream bucket list guitar. Quinton you are also another big reason I bought from the Villa. Waiting for my hat and shirt signed by you two amazing souls!!! Keep Strumming!! Michael ❤

[@donhardeman1317]

Love my D 28 Standard. And like Quinton, I just love to bang it. It can take it better than any guitar I've played. Thanks guys, love this channel.

[@brianlreynolds]

Not sure what bridge pins are being used..... just replaced the liquid metal for bone on a D-28 MD and was surprised. The bone made the guitar come alive! You guys are great and always do a good job. Cheers!

[@RwithGuitar]

I did the exact same thing on another Modern Deluxe guitar. I put bone on and the guitar to my ear was a whole lot better!

[@brianlreynolds]

One of the Best guitars that I now own. I really think those liquid Metal bridge pins Suck....... the tone right out of the guitar.

[@texhaines9957]

I like the satin finish. It is on the MV Martin Custom Shop 0000-28e I got a few years ago. This D-28 sounds great. Thanks, Quinton and Paul.

[@paulhendershott667]

I've always like the feel of the Satin finishes on the Martins. I hate always cleaning off fingerprints on the high gloss ones I own. My Favorite is the 000-15M with a satin finish and it's super lightweight, feels so good, and it has such a sweet sound that you can only get in the all mahogany guitars. I don't care for the printed on burst, to me it looks so fake because it's likely too uniform with no natural burst variations. Now I love the 000-16 StreetMaster look, feel, and sound as well. Hope to get one some day.

[@gilh3947]

Aren't there more stains on satin that cannot be removed?

[@artiseworks8030]

I will agree with you on the burst color pattern. It is by far one of the worst I’ve ever seen on any guitar. I love and respect Martin Guitars as an industry leader of course. But, they seriously need to work on creating way more well blended burst coloration on these high end guitars

[@paulhendershott667]

@@artiseworks8030 I know, just look at that one hanging on the wall. It looks like it was shot on a cheap plastic guitar. That is the ugliest burst I ever saw... apologies to anyone reading this that owns one. I'm sure it sounds nice! It's funny that I didn't see any guitar with this burst pattern when I was at the Martin Factory back in June this year. Tons of D-18's, D-28's, HD-28's, 000-28's. 000-15M, lots with the cut-outs that I'm not sure of the model numbers, but none of these bursts. Maybe they are made somewhere else, or rightly "hidden" from the public! 😄😄😄😄

[@deanmcbride8747]

Yeah they sounded different. That d28 satin finish sounded a bit more brighter. The normal d28 was a little more muted. Interesting video. Dean 🇬🇧

[@deanmcbride8747]

Get a life 😂

[@melciveng]

The video quality is brilliant guys btw

[@WoodworkerDan]

I thought I'd like the satin better, but I actually prefer the tone of the standard. In some ways it sounds more open, and in other ways it sounds more reigned in.

[@angelg8445]

That’s one of the main reasons why you pay extra for a good quality gloss(nitro, or mix of poly). The gloss not only protects the guitar but it PROJECTS the sound. Martin should focus on improving quality of standard and custom series with scalloped bracing, instead of doing more gimmicks, stickers and “budget” models. Even variations or better quality 15 series would be better.

[@Wiggi147]

I fucking love your comment as a fellow attemptive honest groundbreaker and tone fiend 😫🤣🤪💪🤘

[@keestoft250]

I enjoy the struggle we have trying to use words to describe tone. Open, muted, warm, dry, woody, bright, reigned in, resonant etc. It's like describing taste, very subjective. 'Better' is my favourite in the comments so far.

[@johncrane6673]

OK, I can actually hear the difference. However, both are excellent. So, I want the one that will help me play more like Quinton. Yet, another entertaining demo. Thanks.

[@ahill209]

The satin sounds a bit brighter with oh, so little more clarity to me. I think you lose a bit of the low end volume on the satin. I'm a bit spoiled with my D-28 Marquis, though, with an adi top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides.

[@gui-texzan7477]

Great comparison. I think I'll go for an HD-28 (some day).✌️

[@thethoughtthatcountspodcas1581]

I thought I would love the satin finish - it comes across great in recordings but it does not sound good to me in person. The top is really sensitive to the picking of the strings, which is great for finger picking but if you’re using a pick and strumming it just sounds really different from what the gloss finish sounds like.

[@craigdiamond5518]

Everyone hears things differently -- and no two guitars of the same model are ever exactly the same. That said, despite the supposedly lighterweight finish on the satin, the D-28 has a bit more volume (or Quinton is hitting it harder) and a much clearer and more open tone (top and bottom and a tad less mid). Would accept either as a gift from Villa! No complaints!! Happy to endorse!!!

[@onlinebarbecue2480]

It’s hard to say it makes that much of a difference. It’s only slightly lighter in weight. Satin is nice though. I can’t stand a printed distressed guitar I have no clue what they were thinking.

[@1970sman]

I like the sound of the Standard best, it is better bookmatched too. Shame as these days I prefer Satin finished guitars.

[@davidmotisko4552]

Satin sounds killer !

[@MauriceCondie]

Prefer the standard. Like Dan not what I expected to say.

[@joegarcia2323]

I wonder if Martin takes the opportunity to throw slightly less premium woods into these Satin versions vs the regular Standards

[@williss9995]

I love Martin guitars and applaud their effort to make them affordable. In addition it would be a huge plus to make them more articulate?

[@startreker8591]

Love my old drs2 ( with fancy expensive Santa Cruz string medium tension)the first model,amongst…I refinished the top when some issues came up but did not return at gc…btw it end up distressed bec it wasn’t perfect duh under my lame finishing hand ( my dad was master😢)

[@Fronz05]

I think I'm hearing that the Satin finish is louder but is that even humanly possible for the ear to hear that or is it Quinton's variable playing technique?

[@quintonking9960]

I like to think that I'm consistently variable in my playing :)

[@stevebernard221]

Satin sounds harsher, almost Taylor like. I don't think it's due to the Satin finish though. The scalloped bracing will increase the bass response on the gloss. For me, the gloss wins...purely based on my sound preference. I'm sure in the room both sound great and have their place in the mix.

[@joshs3905]

So first off Talyor's (at least all that I've tried, including budget models) do not sound harsh at all lol, also the scalloped bracing is also incorrect. They both have the exact same construction. If you compare both of them side by side on Martin's website the only thing that changes is Satin vs Gloss. Which yes can create more bass response and sustain with a nice thick coat of nitrocellulose, but like all guitars it wears off with age. The satin version has a lighter coating of nitro and they don't give it the final buffing to gloss it out, making it look satin (matte). All guitars slowly open up over time which is a good thing, what Martin did was offer a guitar that sounds like it has already aged, if that makes sense. They can make it cheaper because it saves them an entire step in the factory for labor. So it's a win win for seller and buyer type of thing.

[@stevebernard221]

@@joshs3905 Not sure why, but I tend to find the treble on most Taylor's too much for me....its clearly a sound preference. Now i will say, the older Taylors I have played (20+yrs) do sound more rounded on the treble, so maybe its an age or break in thing. If I purchased a Taylor, it would most likely be second hand. Either event, I have played the Gloss vs the Satin models here at the local shop, and I am not a fan of the Satin, they sound similar but for me my preference would be the gloss finish.

[@joshs3905]

For sure I get it, it's all a preference thing at the end of the day @@stevebernard221

[@CarlosCandidoMusic]

Do we know if Martin will go with the Satin treatment for 000-18/28’s next year, or in the near future?

[@ramspencer5492]

Satin finish definitely has a different way of the tone is focused.. Really open sounding. I really tend to enjoy it. Not hearing that much of a difference in this video though... Maybe Martin's standard finish is also pretty open sounding. Nitro... And all. I'm not all that thick.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

hey man you're a great player and I'm a long-time viewer. I have a request. could you please play some more examples strumming on the soundhole? I believe this better demonstrates the "voice" of the acoustic. you play really far back most of the time. I hear more saddle than guitar.

[@quintonking9960]

Hi YFC - Will try to accommodate this request! I know I tend to pick shifted back - a habit I picked up after hearing somewhere (can't remember exactly where) that you can cut through an acoustic ensemble a little easier with the slightly brighter tone that comes from playing closer to the bridge, but fully appreciate the rounder, warmer tone that many prefer from a playing closer to/over the sound hole. Takes a conscious effort to adjust, but will absolutely try to switch it up - Thanks for watching!

[@brooksphillips2234]

​@quintonking9960 that's awesome that you take his suggestion like that! I do agree with him too. I think a mixture of both playing styles strumming and picking would be great!

[@bgolden99]

The specs listed on your web site describe the bracing pattern as "Forward Shifted 'X' Scalloped" for this model, but your verbal description on the video is Non-scalloped. Which is correct?

[@twinrock54]

I think the standard gloss finish version sounds better.

[@rosslynemrys5829]

You had me at D28 ❤ Prefer the full gloss sound imho

[@gregweber3387]

Both of these guitars sound pretty awesome! As you always know you'll get with a Martin guitar. I recently bought a Martin D-X2E and it is the first satin finish guitar I've owned and I really like it. Looks terrific and doesn't show all the fingerprints like the glossier guitar finishes often do.

[@blissfulhumanoid9536]

I’m planning on buying the Martin D-X2E in rosewood next week. But, I am also considering a D-28 by next early year. These types of investments require many visits to my local guitar shop in order to know for sure this guitar will be the most ideal one for me. How is your D-X2E doing? Are you still happy with it?

[@gregweber3387]

@@blissfulhumanoid9536, yes. After 4 months I'm still really pleased with it. A great guitar and very affordable at $649 at Sweetwater. Another nice guitar worthy of consideration may be the D-16E if you're wanting to move up to a D-28. I think the D-16E sonically is pretty close to the D-18 and D-28 guitar. It can be had in either mahogany or rosewood in the $1,900 range. I think it's a great compromise between the X and the standard D series guitars.

[@artiseworks8030]

Got it thanks. The D-X2E would be my all around guitar. But, I honestly would never buy any guitar online. I would need to see it and actually feel it out in person. I tried out the D-16E and it was pretty good sounding, but not for me. The right guitar for anyone in general is rather subjective in my opinion. It’ll ultimately be a D-18, D-28, or even a D-35. This is why I like taking my time before making any type of serious investment. It’ll definitely be one of these for me by early next year.

[@gregweber3387]

@@artiseworks8030, in the past year I bought 4 guitars. An Epipone Starling, then an Epiphone DR-100, a Yamaha Pacifica, and then the Martin D-X2E. All mainstream guitars; but I never found any of these guitars in stock at the Guitar Center here in Las Vegas. I mostly had to make my judgements based on reviews I read or saw on KZbin. With the Martin, I was able to test out a D-X1E and a Road Series D-10E (one guitar below and above my D-X2E). Both felt pretty comfortable and sounded good. I opted for the D-X2E since it had the solid wood top and I felt was worth the $100 upgrade based on demos I saw comparing the two guitars online. Good luck with your guitar shopping.

[@artiseworks8030]

Thank you sharing your insights.@@gregweber3387

[@asdfjklol]

I'd buy one if they offered this in 000 or OM size

[@a.jseidner7904]

000-16 Streetmaster technically fits the bill, though it's the distressed looking type. Rosewood back and sides, Adirondack Spruce top, satin/streetmaster finish.

[@mariodriessen9740]

Not much of a difference. Everytime I think I prefer one over the other I realise it’s more because of the playing and not because of the differences between the guitars. Having said that, no matter how close it is, I do think the glossy D-28 sounds a little more open to me. And when I read the other comments, I seem to be in a minority group óf connaisseurs here. But I really do feel the normal (glossy) one sounds slightly better. 😊

[@Fronz05]

Hey, I made it to one of your Top 5 watchers! Do I get a free D-26 or D-27? You are all the best! Thanks!!

[@soofitnsexy]

nah just a CS d45

[@jimmyhicks572]

Definitely prefer satin to gloss though.

[@zunif]

Gloss looks better on the ambertone

[@CGDGCD]

I have a 000-15m which has a satin finish. I love it but it does collect oils from you skin that are there for good. I don’t mind it but it’s something to be aware of.

[@martinkleinman2522]

I like the "regular" one, not the satin. Seems to have more umph/depth/fuller-sounding.

[@GianoOudeis72]

In my opinion it is not cheap enough to choose it. Personally I would take it but all the herringbone binding is missing and this already annoys a lot. I think that a guitar like this to be competitive should cost just over 2000 euros. Otherwise I want the herringbone binding I want the antique white piping all the way up to the fingerboard up to the headstock and I want the same purfling on the back as on the standard D28, then maybe I'd be happy to save just 300 Euros; otherwise for me it makes no sense to have a guitar that could be much more beautiful but too neglected in the details. At this point I'd better take the standard one because there's absolutely nothing convenient except that those who make the factory save from working on it!!

[@joelaming6814]

Loving the tone without the gloss

[@shanemartin2215]

The standard was smoother, allowing for more expression by the chosen notes. (yeah it's easy to do too many, but Martin loves to sing, slow it down sometimes, let it sing).

[@wheninroamful]

It’s ‘painted’ on the StreetLegends, not ‘printed’. There are actual painting nozzles that spray paint on. Many are making sure to state the difference between this being painted not printed.

[@charlesbolton8471]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the process you just described exactly how an inkjet PRINTER works?

[@wheninroamful]

@@charlesbolton8471 I don't know, It's not a world I'm into; but i do know ink and paint are not the same thing and paint is used on these.

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@wheninroamful You’re right paint and ink aren’t exactly the same thing. However, it interesting that on Martin’s own website in the description of this model they describe the top color as “Custom Ink”.

[@wheninroamful]

@@charlesbolton8471 Thanks, i'm more for 'The truth" than "Im right"... but yes, it is interesting that Martin's website says this. I'm including one of the first vids shot at Martin Museum/Factory on the StreetLegend with Tim Teel, Head of Instrument Design for Martin agreeing with Spoon Phillips that it is indeed painted on by "an amazing 21st century digital painter" And on one of the new podcast episodes Maury's Music, Spoon stressed that it's a painting from a digital painter.... Soooooo, I think the words are just being used interchangably and for most people, they are the same, but if you were going to buy one, you'd probably want to know 'The truth".... Good day and thanks again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3vGeKGamrp0Z9E

[@wheninroamful]

@@charlesbolton8471 Here you go, explained in detail at 21:00 mark: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ6UY4aqiLF0n68

[@divineheartsworship6035]

Love it!

[@roytube10]

great compare video! normally i prefer satin or natural but soundwise on this I would pick the standard. do both guitars have scalloped or non scalloped bracing? video and the specs in the description didn't match, or maybe i missed it?

[@TheAcousticLetter]

Both are non-scalloped.... description fixed.

[@ztornow]

I’m not going to say one is better BUT I expected the satin to sound noticeably worse than it does. For the money, I think you are still getting a proper D28 even with a satin finish. Just my thoughts.

[@martinkleinman2522]

gloss finish wins. fuller sound. the matte finish sounds "stringy/more trebly" -- are the strings the same on both?

[@Castely19xx]

Gitar impian❤

[@bosse641]

The Standard sounds better imo.

[@BradleyMcTaggart]

Same. It has more power.

[@charlesbolton8471]

Technically, they are both “Standards”.

[@walterstreet1467]

Satin is always better sounding to gloss 6:11

[@soofitnsexy]

not even close gloss all the way!

[@gui-texzan7477]

I agree. I'll get the HD-28.

[@RURALELECTRICBAND]

Bull shit

[@chrisfoudoulis804]

I can't wait to see an "aged" version of Willie Nelson's guitar!

[@revelry1969]

Just like Martin to print on the top of the guitar “faux” wear. They have/had those chince printed tort guard on a $3000 guitar. Come on Martin. It’s one thing to actually add physical wear. Now we are “printing” wear. Gawd. I like you guys a lot but don’t you think you need to tell Martin to stop this?

[@jeffroberts9536]

Much prefer the standard.

[@voltaspeeder17]

It's a Standard for me. Why? Satin version sounds brighter and harsher, while standard comes across as really perfectly balanced to my ears. But I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one of them.

[@iamdesimone]

What’s the song at 4:34?

[@XENONEZZ2]

There was a big difference ....to my ears the satin has more definition, volume, and dynamics...:-))

[@billmorris6812]

Sounds like the satin has newer settings

[@BobK5]

Satin sounds more interesting to me

[@jacobmorgenstein6788]

Went to buy a D28 and bought a J45

[@tylerkitchen9089]

If I’m buying a D-28, I’m buying what they’ve always been…. Gloss for me

[@jeffbeliew6568]

Standard sounds best to my ears

[@soofitnsexy]

gloss all the way...more open bigger finer!! slightly more dough!!

[@user-xr6id3lg6e]

000 in satin yes, not for a D28

[@bigal25938]

Why do those 2 guitars not have the ugly blond streaks on the fret board?

[@adamstewart247]

I feel like satin finished guitars sound better in the room but gloss records better

[@startreker8591]

Revealed: printed amber tone😜…he’s not sure

[@mattstacy1652]

The satin doesn’t sound as good. The volume may be a fuzz more with the satin but it’s a rougher or raw sound loud? Really dry with not a ton of sustain. The other is much cleaner and even across the board. Which is normally the case. I’d die to have either but if I had the extra cash, I’d go with the shiny one! 😂

[@timbucker]

Less features for the same or more money...quantitative easing.

[@charlesbolton8471]

It is not. The satin models are $400 cheaper than the the gloss model.

[@timbucker]

@@charlesbolton8471 It is if the gloss model recently went up in price.

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@timbucker I guess, but did the gloss version have a price increase? I don’t know.

[@jimmycollette9209]

Well it's not shinny. Couldn't have said it any better.

[@gr6914]

satin finsish requires MORE, yes MORE solids to complete than a gloss finish. it weighs and costs more to do a satin finish. i will never understand this with guitar companies. the way nitro lacquer loses finish i.e. goes from gloss to mid to satin to flat is by ADDING weighed silicate to it. do no t be fooled

[@rblanks2050]

as a chemist who has analyzed these types of material you’re 100% correct here.

[@gr6914]

@@rblanks2050 i'm just a wood finisher... no chemist. but i feel like it makes much less of a difference one way or the other than we ought to think it does

[@soofitnsexy]

whats your point??? the satin is cheaper

[@gr6914]

@@soofitnsexy good point... they do sound about the same. i'm just talking semantics i suppose

[@rblanks2050]

no point here other than reflecting that satin if applying same thickness would add mass. i dont know for certain but maybe the idea is satin can be applied thinner. i could see a satin finish might inpart some stiffness due to the solids. lots of variables.