Martin D-28 vs HD-28 vs D-35

Guitar Gallery has the widest selection of Martin guitars in South Africa and we some amazing Martin dreadnoughts in stock. This video attempts to demonstrate the difference between the Martin D-28, HD-28, and D-35.
All 3 guitars are brand new and fitted with Authentic Acoustic Lifespan ® 2.0 PHOSPHOR BRONZE (13-56). Recording gear - Austrian Audio CC8 (Stereo Pair), Focusrite Clarett, and Logic Pro.
Our opinion is that the subtle differences are mainly due to the different bracing patterns. Visit us at www.guitargallery.co.za to view our amazing range of guitars.
#martinguitar #martind28 #austrianaudio

[@dianaingram685]

HD-28... sounds the best. It is a beast. Yes, I do have one.

[@dennispurdy3533]

D 35 every time

[@GregParkemusic1]

That’s why I bought my HD 35!

[@jeffbeliew6192]

The d -28 is my favorite.

[@BobDorfman]

I really like the way you structure your guitar comparisons. I know that more editing is required to let us experience the back and forth format, but it is appreciated.

[@MrShamus07]

This is by far the best comparison I've seen for these three guitars, and I've watched many here on KZbin. I'm still deciding on which one to buy (there's always trade-offs), but thanks for your video. It helps a lot.

[@HenryPipes]

That particular D28 sounds quite a bit more full and bassy than the HD and 35. For this reason I like to play guitars in person before buying. If that's not possible for with a place that will allow for returns online. Each one is unique. Go with the one that sounds best to you

[@joen.8668]

I go for the D-28.

[@walterwhiting9970]

Oh that D35, it’s just right, not too bright and a base response that’s waiting to Johnny Cash the hell out of “the long black veil”

[@JohnnyRebKy]

In a long black veil lord she cries over my bones 🦴 🎶 🎵

[@ronkrupovich7152]

You can't lose no matter which guitar you choose here. When I bought my guitar several years ago, I tried the D-28, HD-28, D-35, and the HD-35 at two different stores. Having settled on the HD-28 and the D-35 as my favourites, I then did a blind test and chose my 50 year anniversary D-35. It's a stunning guitar to this day. But I always wanted to get the 28s too. They were beautiful and sounded wonderful. In your comparison, I would probably have bought the HD-28 this time round (knowing that each guitar has its own unique sound, no matter what designation it has, and so your choice will depend on the specific guitars you listen to).

[@v2807]

They all sound great to me! As does the playing.

[@joedzekevich2407]

They all sound great.. There have been so many changes over the years. The D28 sounded good. The HD28 sounded a tad brighter. The D35 sounded to me between the two. I agree with the bracing comment: regular X, forward shifted X, scalloped X not shifted. No wrong answers - just plenty of choices for our hearing tastes.

[@jeremeywalas1818]

The D-35 is not scalloped but is 1/4” instead of 5/16” ..an HD-35 would be scalloped, and be denoted by herringbone binding. All X, D28 5/16 straight, HD 5/16 scalloped and forward shifted post 2018 reimagination, D-35 1/4 straight bracing as stated. All have their place and sound wonderful.

[@RandallWhitted]

Thanks for the video! I hate that to me, the D-35 is thrilling, and everything else is just really good, because I love the look and neck of the D-28 and the herringbone of the HD - neither of which the D-35 has.

[@WoWarenapro]

The D-35 is jaw dropping. From its sound mix, to the three piece back, and the fretboard binding. I really wish you had an HD-35 to compare as well. I’m the proud owner of a late 2022 HD-28-E, her name is Loose Lucy (Lucy for short) and she will be with me until the end. The way the HD-28 shimmers and resonates is unbelievable. And I love that your HD-28 fretboard looks like mine, with the natural light colors that shine out of the black ebony. In all, amazing video. I would pick my guitar over again a 100 times, but eventually I will own a HD-35 on down the road. You should look into Preston Thompson guitars. Billy strings main guitar is a Thompson. They make custom guitars that are neck and neck with Martin. Amazing stuff.

[@jayarvelayo]

d35

[@darthroy888]

D-35 for me

[@garychen483]

They all sound great and if you’re not deeply into any genre of music, the difference among these 3 guitars shouldn’t even be mentioned as they sound just as great as each other. I’d choose HD-28 because there’s an H in its name. The other two only have one letter. We say more is better. 😊😊

[@michaelgoupil972]

Great comparison. Thank you. From the video, I favor the D35 tone. However, I which would “choose me” if I were to play them side by side? Can’t go wrong with any of them for sure.

[@rotaryrotary4227]

I had a hd28-e I sold and regret that decision very much. I ended up with a d35 and it seems in my case to require more effort to get the sound out of it than the hd. But all of these guitars vary from one to the other and player habits. Btw the fretboard on that hd 28 is pretty exceptional

[@toddmcmakin]

In my personal opinion, the D35 won here. It has just the right amount of bass and high end. If I were a bluegrasser, I'd probably say the HD28.

[@tgbluesky]

I’m just sitting here listening with a big ole smile on my face. Keep playing please.

[@calwells5612]

Really, really nice demo. Beautiful guitars played well. Much appreciated!

[@txarcher3967]

Great video, very helpful! I would conclude that the D-28 sounds better with flatpick. The HD-28 and D-35 sound better with fingerstyle

[@ltwilderness2554]

Great player. He makes them all sound amazing.

[@GuusEikens]

Amazing comparison; very helpful, thanks!

[@jeremysautomobile]

These are all very close and very good. You would not go wrong with any of them. I lost my way for a while in the world of carbon fiber guitars, but I'm on the hunt for my Martin now, and that's it. I'm gonna Willie Nelson it when I find mine.

[@aaronpatton6674]

I prefer that HD 28 sound

[@careyolson3446]

The fretboard on the HD-28 is awesome. All 3 are guitars to be proud of...

[@drgonzo3871]

I have an HD-28 Named Joni and its a magical guitar, loud responsive and almost has its own built in reverb and shimmer. I played around with strings for a while and found Curt Mangan round cores brought out the best in it. But my D-18 can out BOOM it in the bass dept any day.

[@lawrencec.4589]

They all sound good and the guitar debate here is akin to choosing ice cream flavours: strawberry, vanilla or chocolate? All three sound great and have their own nuances - thats part of the reason why Martin sells the models! There is no "wrong" choice - just personal preferences. I have a D-35, so I may be biased. Here, the D-35 seems to sound like the middle ground between the other two. It's subtle, but identifiable. Thank you for the comparisons. I appreciate it.

[@jimmycollette9209]

Okay here we go. I have a D-35 and hd-28. Which one do I like best? Both. I also own a Gibson j-45 which plays better and and sounds great. I play all three about the same. The martins sound better through the sound system at church but acoustically I choose the Gibson j-45. I like the shorter scale length of the Gibson and the action is a touch better. I guess if I could only have one of the martins I would take the hd-28. The d-35 has quarter inch bracing and the hd-28 has five sixth inche scallop bracing.bracing. You can play medium strings on the hd-28 but I put lights on the d-35 because of the lighter bracing. I play hd lights on the hd-28.

[@evertvdb000]

the j-45 is like the Gibson J-160E?

[@edgargonzalez110]

D35 has them all beat and if it’s good enough for Johnny cash it’s good enough for anyone lol

[@stevec.1802]

All sound great. Nice demo and presentation. I could live with either of these models. I have a vintage D-28 I’ve owned and played for many years, and never tire of it. But- I do love the sound of the HD-28. 🍽️

[@codygoins8832]

So i went to a music store and tried the d28, hd 28, and d41. I left the store with a d-18. To me personally, none of them held a candle to the single note punch that the d 18 has

[@soofitnsexy]

different animal...Mahogany

[@el34glo59]

Different wood. Not everyone is looking for just single note clarity

[@codygoins8832]

@el34glo59 well I did end up finding a d42 that kind of blew me away in that single note thing. I think Adirondack actually is what made the difference for me

[@NicholasANappiNick]

My old worn out ears like the d 28 but all nice 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@iemgr2002]

Good execution, they each sound like they’re supposed to. However, that is an exceptional sounding D-35 even among D-35s. This video will sell a lot of D-35s.

[@richs1505]

For my ears it`s the D28 for the win.

[@Ziraffe2]

Extraordinary demo there ▲ very hard if not impossible to choose the best sounding dread, but I'm sure I could if playing them live-in-the-lap. In that situation one would hear the sound-nuances clearer, , , and not least FEEL the different sonic responses. Vibes have a huge role when it comes the scalloped vs non-scalloped - I'm (almost) sure you agree. And would more than like to know your personal impressions. Keep the spirit spinnin' ~ Hi

[@tuaacoustic]

ขอบคุณ สำหรับการรีวิว ครับผม

[@thepedalpress]

The D-35 makes me want to sing. Whether that's a good thing or not... it depends on who's listening I guess. Great video! Thanks.

[@enginufuk]

Just watch out the position of your right hand as you switch since it drastically changes the tone. Thank you for the comparison 🙏 great work.

[@enginufuk]

Quick tip: Position your right hand on top of the strings as if you are playing the high E string with your pick(doesn’t matter if you are using pick or not). Let your middle finger go into the sound hole touching side of the hole(what ever side fits your arm length/tone,etc…). But remember that spot! That’s your position. Stay there or move cautiously from there. Going back, each time it will sound pretty identical even if you have moved around. Have been using it for recording guitarists for years. If they take a break, get back, at least I know that it’s not the hand position that’s causing the change of the tone. Body/Guitar position to the mic?! Ohh that’s a separate issue that I or the assistant has to watch out for if the artist doesn’t… Hope it helps!

[@vitkrivanek9378]

Very nice and smooth playing!

[@el34glo59]

I honestly think the d28 is being forgotten for ges, authentics, etc. I get it. I've owned a ton of Martins. But I honeslty think the d28 is going to age better than some of the lightly braced authentics. I wish they made a hide glue d28 with a thin finish, strait braced

[@melbmikep]

The new Rich Robinson model is that, not cheap though, can get a 60s almost for the same price.

[@nicknavarro288]

I have a Gibson J45 and a Taylor 814ce. Looking to get a Martin. I’m torn on which to get. I play mostly country. All over the neck. Strumming, fingerpicking, and I also play on acoustic what would normally be played on an electric with distortion. So I play a good variety. The 35 sounds a little like my Taylor and the HD a little like my 45. So maybe the 28 for the variety? They all sound amazing! Still torn

[@WysteriaGuitar]

They all sound great. I have a D35 from 2015. One thing I noticed with these new one's is the striped ebony fretboard. If I am going to pay all that money I expect a jet black Ebony fretboard like on my D35 and D41. Like, is there a shortage of solid black ebony boards now too?

[@Ledzepfan88]

See Bob Taylor's video on the state of ebony. You will understand.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

@@Ledzepfan88 Yeah, I get it, but the Chinese guitar manufacturers do not seem to have a problem sourcing black ebony boards...one would think American makers could get them too.

[@Ledzepfan88]

@@WysteriaGuitar they use dye. At least america is honest.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

@@Ledzepfan88 My EASTMANs have all jet black boards not dyed

[@garypaquin9571]

Martin and Taylor have gone eco-conscious. No more jet-black ebony fretboards. Actually they were all stained before shipping so maybe they are inadvertently being more honest. The striped ‘boards are all different and move from slightly discoloured to an absolute mess. I had one seller offer to discount a Martin $800.00 if I took the striped one over a solid one. The same guitar. Martin doesn’t care about tradition anymore. Taylor never did. Buy a Collings or a Boucher for country/bluegrass or a Larrivee if MOR or acoustic jazz is your interest.

[@shaft9000]

I like the balanced and rather modern sound of the D-35 here most overall. HD-28 seems to be overpowering the mic and sounding artificially hyped/scooped and boom-y, imho. Maybe it's not so friendly with those mics or placement. D-28 is oh-so very thick in the low-mids down to 110 Hz or so. Great for accompanying a high tenor and soprano, but I dunno if i'd want to fight the bass and keys in a dense mix with that thing.

[@barrygellert2374]

They all have charm. When I close my eyes it’s theD28

[@user-ob5ku1ww4b]

Good evening! Tell me, which microphones did you use in this video?

[@bigdaddy3919]

HD-28 every day and twice on Sunday but you can't go wrong with any of them.

[@caelandouglas5568]

Anyone able to identify the second song played in the demo? The one in the picking section! Thanks.

[@amirrezarezaie]

1:07 1:52 2:36

[@TheDisastersSon]

The d35 is so clean clear and loud, but i think its harder to Play

[@sayankundu1492]

amazing Guitars and awesome playing.. !! are these new guitars .. which means all are forward shifted.. ?

[@GuitarGallerySA]

Yes they are all new and forward shifted. Thank you for watching!

[@mikelytwyn3578]

What model/year is this D-35 from?

[@dustinadair7893]

Wow major difference with headphones. You get the Martin low end boom from every guitar in the video.

[@Dvibhadr]

D28

[@BobK5]

One of each please….

[@eddyj3862]

HD 28, PERIOD!!!!!!!!

[@user-ds2ry1om2r]

6:15 6:52 7:28

[@paulhanson7329]

D35 all day long.

[@blindpew69]

D-35 sounds best … I say this even though I have an HD-28 😂. Better tone and more resonance.

[@0071287]

HD28

[@bobr419]

D-35 😁