Martin D45 vs Martin D28 | Guitar Battles #22 | @ TFOA

In this episode of Guitar Battles, Coen and Maarten answer the question that might be older than the guitar itself; "Does bling make tone?". For this one, they're using a D28 and a D45. Two guitars that are almost 100% identical apart from over 300 pieces of abalone, so it seems...
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[@HenryPipes]

The issue with this review is that the D45 has forward shifted scalloped braces and the D28 standard has forward shifted non-scalloped braces. This makes all the difference in the world. In construction terms you’re really comparing apples to oranges. The comparison should be an HD28 vs D45. Wood grade will make a slight difference but bracing design will make a huge impact.

[@hssx39]

This is the correct answer. Would be nice to see a review similar to what you're proposing.

[@SuperGRAZIANO58]

E s a t t a m e n t e !!!!

[@soofitnsexy]

@@SuperGRAZIANO58 shittamante!!

[@chepad1]

Nah man, it’s the shape of the inlays💠🤡

[@chrisb9740]

I completely agree. This is why I own an HD28.

[@paolocambi1957]

The sound of the D45 is crazy, you can really hear the difference, the sound is more complex, it seems that the sounds of the strings mix together, and, while remaining perfectly distinct, they increase each other, improving each other. The sounds of the individual strings harmonize with each other in a magical, crystalline and full-bodied way, the difference between the two guitars is very notable. The feeling that the D45 gives me is as if it were a "magic" guitar that gives an inexplicable and I would say "celestial" sound, the absolute perfection of the guitar's sound. It's hard to understand how they managed to create a truly magical guitar

[@davidfischer7895]

I honestly didn't think this would be much of a comparison, but the D45 hits it out of the park every time.

[@quest4tone]

To my ears the D45 has a fuller range with more bass and highs. That’s also the one I play and couldn’t be happier 😊

[@soofitnsexy]

and your name is Martin??? cmonnnnnn!!!!!!!

[@RRStout]

The D-45 is beautiful and sounds great !!! But, the D-28 sounds warmer to my ears. So if I had to choose; my eyes would choose the D-45, but my ears would choose the D-28. Thanks for another good Guitar Battles. Stay safe. See you next time.

[@pcbif]

I was making dinner during the first finger picking demo so I didn't see what was what. But, my ears really picked up with the D28. I preferred the mellow its mellow sound.

[@barnabycross]

D28 for me. the 45 maybe has more glittz and chime and maybe even complexity but I dont think it has the unique sound that the 28 gets. For example people have noticed that Here Comes the Sun sounds better on the 28..almost counterfactual but true..it really does sound better. I think its really hard to explain why but given the money I would go for the 28 every time. Whats more a pre 69 28 v a modern 45..now THAT would be an innarestin shoot out..and I think the vintage 28 would floor the modern 45. You can keep the abalone imho.

[@TascamTascam]

That’s because you can’t afford a 45

[@ryanbloom1738]

The d45 has scalloped braces right and the d28 does not?

[@treatb09]

Depends on the d28. Pretty sure thats a base d28. So probably unscalloped.

[@matthewoconnell114]

This is a great video b/c I have a D28 and want to get a D45. The D45 has such a richer tone. I love the D28 and it is without a doubt one of the greatest acoustics on the market, but when paired against the D45 like this, you can clearly hear the difference. Nice job guys! Thanks!

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks Matthew! The D45 is legendary for a reason, I couldn't agree more! But it also makes you realize how good the D28 is for the money you're spending.

[@treatb09]

You can custom order a d28 with hide glue n graded wood. N itll sound the same. What you pay for is the inlay work. If you custom shop a d28. Youll save 5,000$. N have a guitar that sounds the same. However. Ive played many d45’s. N none of them sound the same.

[@JRSIM-1]

I agree with the previous comment/complaint. The 41, 42 and 45 do have a much richer overall sound and harmonics compared to the lesser expensive dreadnought models.

[@leofransen]

Yes the D45 sounds superb... but does it sound 7k euro's better than the D28? I'll stick with my D42 for a while

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

for me that would be actually a great comparison. d42 vs d41 vs d45

[@treatb09]

@@janeandthecoolcats5033 at that point its just inlay. Abalone doesnt flex. Its very hard. So the top is technically. A little smaller in its potential for wood resonance. But most of that is only around the neck block where the guitar is built with extra braces to prevent the strings from collapsing it.

[@johnhiscutt1853]

Yes, the top is routed to take The abalone which makes it More resonant!!👍

[@tomthomas8969]

Loved your video and demonstration of the D28 vs D45. I thought the major difference in tone quality was due to scallop bracing for the D41, D42, and D45 series vs the non scallop bracing for the D28 and D35. Otherwise, the fundamental construction of all of these guitars is the same and the difference is just bling and increasing cost as you indicated.

[@JAO53JAO]

There are so many things that go into guitar tone, so many that it is difficult to narrow it down and know what makes a guitar sound "better". Sometimes it just sounds right to you and it is not clear why. The thickness of the top and back can vary, either by accident or deliberately (Martin will sell you a thinner top), the glue used, the shape of the neck, the fret board and the frets (material and height and shape). Strings make a huge difference (I want to assume that that both guitars tested have the same type and size strings, and they are the same age and have been played the same amount, etc.). Martin grades their tops from 1 - 10 and most tops seem to be between 3 and 9. Obviously, the more expensive the guitar the "better" the top, but every guitar will be a bit different, and the visual quality of a top does not always tell the quality of how it will sound. And you can buy a D28 with a better top if you wish. Martin offers several different kinds of wood for its tops and each will look and sound a bit different. Common wisdom is that a narrow grain top will sound different from a wide grain top wood, but my experience says this not always the case The bracing on Martins comes in at least two sizes, as well as scalloped and not scalloped. Hand scalloped implies human variation in the wood working. The location of the bracing and the pattern of the bracing can be different. Does a guitar have a vintage finish, or a modern gloss? Has it been VTS treated, or Plek'd? Comparing two guitars where their wood humidity is different will make them sound different. It goes on and on and on. And no one has talked about personal playing style which may favor one guitar over another, allowing the player to get better tone because the guitar is easier for them to play - it suits their playing style better. I would prefer to have a 45 style guitar as well, but the real question is "is it worth the extra money?" and that depends on answers to some very personal questions (can I afford a 45, can I really hear the difference, and even if I can, does it matter for my use of the guitar?. If you are a very good guitar player who can afford a 45 model and want one........then go buy one. Quit messing around with comparisons - It is the best Martin offers short of having them build you a custom guitar. And, Heck, if money is no object, buy a pre-war D45, the Holy Grail.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks for your comment Alex! Great read and couldn't agree with you more. Yet again, a D28 for example will always float around a certain tone-spectrum. It's not as simple to say that any guitar can sound like any guitar. Concerning comparisons, some people are simply curious to know why a D45 is that much more expensive than a D28. We're happy to scratch that curiosity! :)

[@JAO53JAO]

@@thefellowshipofacoustics Thanks for the comments. We agree entirely. And I enjoyed the video comparison. It is a lot of fun to talk about what makes these instruments sound as they do and why we prefer one over the other. I hope I was offering that no two guitars will sound exactly alike, rather than the notion that you could make a D28 (or find one already made) that sounds "better" than a D45. I just think that sound "quality" is very subjective, and was pointing out that the number of variables in a guitar that impact tone are almost infinite. Never mind that each persons' hearing is somewhat different and our hearing changes as we age. Some folks might prefer the sound of a D-28, until they are told (over and over) that the D-45 tone is "better", and that it costs 3X as much. Is the sound different because the D-45 purfling and inlays require greater routing and thus thin the top, back and sides, making the guitar thinner at critical points and thus more resonant, or is it because those routed spaces get stiffer and stronger due to having glue put in them to hold the inlays and thus create a tighter brighter sound? I do not know. We perceive that a string plucked on this guitar rings clearer and sustains longer than on that guitar. Is that the guitar or the strings used, or the bone nut, of the bridge material/shape, or. the saddle or the bridge pins, etc. ...? Martin now sells metal bridge pins that they say increase resonance and volume. But will this make my guitar sound "better"? It is fun to discuss and contemplate. What I do know is that if you go to a guitar store and play 4 or 5 of the same model of guitar, all brand new with new strings, set up properly, that have all the same ":specifications", that you will prefer the sound of one over the sound of the others. Is that a "better" guitar? It is for you. Fortunately, someone will come in and see it differently, and that is part of the beauty of guitars in general. I guess my point is that I would like for a reviewer to say that they prefer the sound of this or that guitar to saying that it is better. Thanks again for you comments.

[@slbolfing56]

Yes, I can hear a difference. Is it the bling? Not sure. Does the D45 sound better? I think that's going to be a personal preference. As in other comments, I would like to see a comparison between D45, HD28 & D41. (But I would never turn down a D45!).

[@bloke2201]

The D-45 has scalloped braces, but the D-28 is not scalloped. This makes a fairly big difference.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

You're 100% correct, indeed this will make a difference.

[@scouser2230]

Because the D28 has non scalloped bracing a more valid comparison would be between the HD28, which has scalloped bracing and the D45, which also has scalloped bracing. This would be a more valid comparison of whether bling impacts the sound.

[@davidstoeckl6439]

I sought your kind of review since so many said the two were essentially the same Guitar - one just prettier. Nope, the D-45 really surpassed the D-28. The D-28 sounded really good, but not as dynamic as the D-45. Thanx.

[@michaelhuskey5376]

I like the d28 sound better! It’s warmer. The d45 is louder and brighter. Both amazing guitars!

[@PotPoet]

To know if bling is the thing to make it sing, then compare D-40 to D-45. Wood grade and bracing details are the same. The only difference is bling.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Good one! We thought it would make for a fun discussion none-the-less ;)

[@PotPoet]

@@thefellowshipofacoustics Please do the D-40/D-45 comparison for us - THAT would really be a FUN discussion because it would be valid.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

@@PotPoet Haha oké! Let's see what we can do ;)

[@teashea1]

Nicely done - good style and production values. I don't think there is really much of a sound difference but I just purchased a D45 for the visual aesthetic differences.

[@treatb09]

If those are base models. Then the d45 is far superior. They use higher quality wood in the d45 vs a base d28. But if you order a d28 authentic or custom shop. Its the same quality of wood n the guitars are basically the same. Just varying spec with bracing n other things. The original d45’s were just blinged up with inlay but were the same as the d 28.

[@georgebetor2943]

Both sound great

[@daveross8879]

Different guitars and vastly different bracing which wasn't mentioned. Scalloped on the 45 compared to non scalloped on the 28. Also there is the issue of forward shifted bracing on the D45 as opposed to the standard placement on the D28 A D28 will never sound as lively as a D45, and was never designed to. Also, the bling does make a difference tonally because the routing for the abalone thins the wood around the edges of the instrument producing a diaphragm effect on the soundboard, causing it to move and vibrate more freely.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks for clarifying Dave! The new D28 is forward-shifted to though if I'm not mistaken ;)

[@johnhuggins5021]

As you stated, bling is really not what makes the Martin D-45 line-up of guitars sound better. It only makes it look frickin' awesome!! But Martin's heavy attention to the details of its construction, choice of woods, ect., sets the standard to what I believe truly makes this guitar outshine what most all other makers of acoustic guitars can only hope to emulate in order to get close to the D-45's sound; especially in the right musician's hands. This model of guitar makes your head feel like it's died and gone to heaven. Now if I could only afford one. While I wait for my piggy bank to grow so I can purchase the D-45, I'll continue to play and enjoy my D-28 that, OBTW, still puts a smile on my face, and I hope those who listen to me play it.

[@thefisherman2837]

D28 for me. I've tried so many Martin's and all scalloped braced dreads for my ears dont work. When played by another player they sound fantastic but I still prefer someone to play a non scalloped d28 d18. I also have owned the reimagined d28 and hd28 and the d28 just pops for me. So much more balanced and crunch and punch in the non scalloped. Another good one guys. If you come across a non scalloped 2020s d18 preferably in ambertone let me know and I'll give you a call

[@sc12100]

Yeah a D18 with forward non scalloped braces would be interesting.

[@Moonshot568]

D-45 definitely… much richer to my ears .

[@leftyjcw7173]

I own 6 Martins. Including a D28 and a D45. It’s not the bling that sounds better. The bling is the “marker” that illustrates a superior guitar. And the D45 is measurably better than anything “standard”. IMO

[@josephliptak]

Damn that 45 projects !

[@Canoeland]

Hey Maarten what kind of boots are ya wearing here? Love em😂 Thanks!

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks Quinn! These --> www.drmartens.com/nl/nl/p/11853201 One of the nicest pairs of shoes my feet have had the pleasure of wearing ;)

[@alann5003]

I can't believe they didn't say the d45 has scalloped bracing.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

And forward shifted! :)

[@dinoguan1]

I hated that the mic was pointed towards the sound hole

[@Bluelightcheaphotel]

If I’m spending D45 money, I’m spending it on a Collings or Thompson. For now my 28 is great!!!

[@Moonshot568]

You can buy the D-41 … same as the 45 but less blink .

[@starrydi]

What is scalloped bracing? 5:40

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Great question Diana, we've written a blog on the subject! --> www.tfoa.eu/de/blogs/blog/bracing-magical-small-pieces-of-wood-that-make-an/

[@adamstewart247]

The D-45 is better due to at 4-6 factors 1. Higher grade tone woods Level 7+ rosewood/spruce vs level 5-6 on 28 series 2. The D-45 is assembled by the best builders at Martin, similar to why the Custom Shop instruments are superior 3. The abalone thins the edges of the top thus increasing resonance/movement 4. Higher quality Schaller Grandtune tuners vs the Grovers 5. Possibly higher quality bone nut/saddle. 6. In several videos Martin employees describe a reverence for the D-45 and just a little extra of general care and attention to detail that goes on in making one of these.

[@ibtm]

D28 sounds much brighter---45 more refined. The 28 is a Canon! both spectacular guitars----ps---I have both! My Father in Law was the Chairman of Gaylord (the holding company that owns the GOO) and gave me his personal D28 75th Anniversary Grand Ole Opery guitars!!! I am a happy camper!!

[@ayushpratap4726]

You're so lucky !

[@WorkingDemo]

Are the frets made of the same metal?

[@Unobserved07]

I actually liked the d28 a little better. I usually prefer the fuller sound the d45 is putting but the mid range is more pronounced on the d28 so the licks come through sharper. Overall, from the video, id have to go with the tone of the d28 in this one

[@jamescoughlan8193]

Certainly not hearing a 7,000 euro difference for sure, I guess some people love bling not a bling fan myself

[@jayman1338]

That’s 45 sounds way better actually. It’s more bright, open, and alive.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Well, they dó use better materials of course! ;)

[@eliaszastrow]

What's he playing at 2:15?

[@koorhuis]

.....the D35

[@sc12100]

Wood grade is a factor between these two as well.

[@runnningonempty]

same

[@sc12100]

@@runnningonempty LOL........ The D45 and D28 do NOT share the "same" wood grade bud! The D45 is a grade 7-8 scale and the D28 is a 5-6 scale. You should really inform yourself before making ignorant comments.

[@aleksanderreljanovic]

@@sc12100 as you can see the dude is an electric guitar player so it doesn’t surprise me he doesn’t know anything about this.

[@russellr1509]

I prefer the D28 warmer and well balanced. The D45 seems louder.

[@soofitnsexy]

it is

[@johnnyd63]

It really should be the HD28 and D45 comparison.Same bracing.

[@735abe5]

2:16 song's name please!

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Hey Abe! Nothing special really, just a take on G-Run :)

[@735abe5]

@@thefellowshipofacoustics thank you！

[@Pyreneesie]

Two completely different styles of playing. 45 Softer play will result in a softer tone.

[@EdwinGuzmanRD]

Is a huge different in sound. D45 price is 3 times the D28

[@koorhuis]

Both great guitars. I have a D35 and a D45 and the D45 cut much better through the mix playing with a band. For recording i use

[@BookClubDisaster]

Surprisingly the D28 wins. Sounds brighter and clearer to me. But these guys are declaring the 45 the winner. Do they sell guitars? That would explain favoring the more expensive option.....

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Coen's and my opinion will never be more then just an opinion, if the D28 sounded better to you, go for it! They're both great guitars but there certainly are differences, I think the '45 did sound better in 'real life' after re-listening to this recording.

[@BookClubDisaster]

@@thefellowshipofacoustics I will say the D45 sounded almost exactly like Neil Young's guitar.. And he usually uses D45's. It's maybe just a little too smooth and smoky sounding to me.

[@persiaguitar]

The same player , the same mic etc should be the same so a comparison works best

[@jaredwood5973]

No but scalloping does.

[@danielallen7384]

Is the D-45 really worth 3 D-28's? No, not at all imo.

[@tomangus3637]

€7,K for the ‘Bling’ + a bit 🤔❓…. Nope 👎 just buy a D41 👍😊👌 It’s just an AMAZING piece of work 🤩

[@davidkyle5552]

I doubt the tone difference has anything to do with the bling...more likely that the 40 series gets the premium grade tone woods where 20 series gets lower grades in Martin’s visual grading system.

[@davidkyle5552]

...and they’re not the same under the hood...D-28 non scalloped vs D-45 is scalloped.

[@davidkyle5552]

Maybe next time compare HD-28 vs D-45 or D-42, where all are same bracing & construction?

[@williambutler8624]

They both sound great, I choose D 45.I have D 18 and 0m 28.mahogany and rosewood, they both sound great, to me I think all martin guitars have their own unique sound, but in video D 45 sounds the best,great video.

[@westrunningbrook]

Still glad I have a D28. More muscular, flexible tone by far.

[@aqualunga9467]

D45 of course.

[@karl11]

D45 sounds great but i don't think it costs 6 grands compared to d28😅

[@kjb8198]

D-45 sounds better. Scalloped bracing like the original pre-war D-28. The present HD-28 is the true ancestor of the original D-28.

[@erichutchinson6882]

I thought the D28 sounded better.

[@codywhitaker8620]

The d28 honestly sounded better

[@Inskyismom]

Here Comes the Sun sounded much better on the d28.

[@runnningonempty]

You asked....I like my D28 better unless you want to trade me for the D45...

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

'Fraid not...! :p

[@Feodorchik]

Однозначно D45 лучше, гораздо богаче тембрально и гораздо лучший сустейн + невероятный объем..

[@super7boys]

Pay 💰 10 k for a guitar Hell no 👎!!! I will buy the 41 less price!!

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Great choice as well! :)

[@AndrewUnruh]

Different is not the same as better. They both sound great, but so do a number of less expensive guitars. If you are playing professionally, then maybe there is a 'best' for your playing style - because there is a sound that your audience might prefer. Otherwise, it comes down to resale value, your emotional attachment to a brand/model, and, most importantly, how it sounds and plays to you. On those last two items, no KZbin video is going to give you the answer - you need to play the guitars for yourself. Keep in mind that the way a guitar sounds to the player is quite different than how it sounds to the audience because of the sound radiation pattern of the guitar and the ratio of direct to reflected sound. The player is above the soundboard while the audience is in front of it. This is just like a loudspeaker - it sounds quite different from the side than it does from the front.

[@Moonshot568]

After Hold the Martin D-41 in the very first time I couldn’t play Other acoustic guitars ... 5 years to pay for it .. and every payment worth it .

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Glad to hear.. The D41 is amazing indeed, have you seen our newest episode featuring that guitar?

[@patrickmorgan4006]

I thought exactly the same thing when I picked up a D41. Haven't pulled the trigger on buying one yet, but I am spoiled for life.

[@blakeb4583]

While the D-45 sounds better than the D-28, I don’t think it sounds $7000 better

[@parsonstj]

Uhh, I think that of these two particular instruments the D28 sounds fuller, warmer and better.

[@henrykiddie8434]

D45 is dieper van klank sustain beter

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Every video the 45 sounds better

[@brendanlynch7912]

D-45 wins.

[@edeledeledel5490]

This is a waste of time. There should be the same guitarist playing exactly the same thing through the same mike for 20 secs or so on one guitar, and then 20 seconds on the other guitar. A basic bit of video editing is required. And then the other guitarist doing the same, to even out differences of playing technique. Then you can easily assess differences in the guitars themselves. I can't from this video.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Hold on, isn't that exactly what we did for this video?

[@lejoe48]

You have to spend many euros to get a really good Martin. D-45 is a way better guitar.

[@anatol1204]

never liked the d 28.MARTIN STOP WASTE THE WOODS BY MAKING D 28..! GIVE TO THE PEOPLE MORE DE 45-42 THEY WILL BLESS YOU

[@clintonlambert6924]

Both guitars are way overpriced martin paved the way decade's ago . But you can buy a guitar Made of the same tone woods and bracing that sounds as good for a third of the price. This is my opinion I personally wouldn't buy a martin unless I lucked up and found one alot less than what they are usually priced at

[@Bri5150]

Please name a guitar that sounds as good as a D-45 for a third of the price.

[@clintonlambert6924]

@@Bri5150 a third of the price of a martin D 45 Would be probably 4,000 $ ?

[@Bri5150]

@@clintonlambert6924 you can buy a new d45 for 80% off the tag price so 7800. A third of that is 2600.

[@clintonlambert6924]

Well im going to save you thousands of dollars. And I go in alot of different guitar shops and look at guitars alot and I have yet to pick up any new martin and be impressed with it compared to the price tag . You can get 2 yamaha fg 5 MIJ hand built and was guitar of the year a few yrs back I have played and was amazed of the caliber of guitar for the price 1399 x 2 = 2800 $ The the Blueridge Br160 / Br 160 A / Br 180 those will run you between 1150 / 1600 $ Recording king Rd-328 800$ go ahead get to of them also with some extra cash in your pocket. And I have never seen a martin for 80% off so you could probably get those guitars I just listed even cheaper than me . I have picked up numerous D 28 and a few HD 28s those have been at around 3200$ here where I'm located those same guitars are still hanging where I found them and they probably will continue to hang there because they are priced to high. The first comment I made I stated that that was my opinion. And here is another of my opinions. If I'm paying thousands of dollars for a flat top guitar I'm going with Huss n Dalton. Boucheron. Collins. And last but not least Furch which I own and is hands down the best guitar I have ever played. I bought it used for 1173$ I wouldn't trade it for either of those two guitars in this video . Hope that helps you have a blessed day

[@markmark8174]

That was the most lack luster finger pickin' i've ever heard.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

:(

[@TascamTascam]

Much better tone woods on the D 45 also