Our New Favorite 12-String? Martin HD12-28: Doubling Up a Classic

We finally got in our Martin HD-28 12-String, and what more is there to say-- it is a 12-string version of one of the most legendary guitars of all time, and they are not very easy to find. When it comes to 12-Strings, there are not a ton of options in the higher end of the market, so when you're comparing and looking for an heirloom instrument, this is one to consider.
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0:00 Intro/Specs
4:33 Demo
6:15 Final Thoughts
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I purchased a brand new HD-28 12 string two months ago! I play it non stop! I love my Martin 12 string!

[@dannyperfect9270]

I literally love everything Cooper plays. If I could only achieve 50% of that skill, I'd die a happy man

[@Wobbz9413]

I'd be happy with 25%. Hes a. Acoustic guitar GOD! 🙃

[@kcole5609]

Just saw this video. I agree that 12 string guitar are special! I purchased a J12-16GRT some 20 years ago and it plays beautifully. Recently purchased a PS14ce solely from watching y’all’s videos and listening to the tones and sustain….incredible, and it sounds better in person. Then I saw the PS52ce…..exact match to the PS14ce except it is a Grand Concert, has 18:1 tuners and is a 12 string. These guitars are scarce that I can tell….but y’all should get your hands on one. You won’t regret it!

[@terryshortt437]

I’ve had a Martin hd 28/12 for 18 years now and they age like a fine wine…

[@JonathanPMartin]

I bought one a year ago. I love it. I needed to get the action dropped a tad but besides that it arrived in incredible condition.

[@noamglassner]

Well yes, i just got my HD12-28 3 day's ago!!!

[@Wobbz9413]

Im a Cooper fan so enjoyed that demo a lot. I have an LL16/12 Yamaha which I love. It'll do me.

[@jed1166]

GC had a really nice used one for $1,700. Almost bought it, but, living in Phoenix, went with a RainSong Jumbo 12 string instead… stays in tune for ever, and immune to low humidity. If I lived where there was humidity, I would have grabbed it immediately… stunning guitar!

[@charlesbartholomew2910]

What a gorgeous sounding guitar and the picker ain't bad either. :-) Thanks for sharing this guys. That is one fantastic instrument!

[@happytrails1963]

so cool very nice 12 string!

[@martenberg7365]

😭😭😭 that sounds absolutely amazing… one day I’ll have one too 🙌❤️‍🔥👏🙏🤩

[@ProbableCause-DanGryder]

I got one. Awesome!

[@joesanders6898]

Cooper, you can't stop looking at that guitar.

[@Wobbz9413]

Yes Cooper. You have to buy this guitar!

[@bluegryp]

Love my HD28 BLE 6 string but for 12 string it’s Guild f-512 all the way.

[@bobbybo3458]

I've been trying to find out what the difference is between the HD12-28 and the D12-28 that it replaced in the Martin Standard lineup. The herringbone is one obvious point, but is there any difference in construction or bracing? I have had a D12-28 for about 10 years now and I love it!

[@debbiewheeler4066]

Reminds me of Leo Kottke! I’ve also seen Justin Hayward play 12 string. I had a friend who played a Martin 12 string. That was his only guitar. I recently sprained my fretting hand (wrist) playing too much on a mere Taylor Academy. Don’t think I should try a twelve string. 😆. Anyway, that’s an awesome guitar you have there.

[@mortonwilson795]

Absolutely, lovely playing (as usual)! Back in 1980 Leo Lottke played a Town Hall concert in Auckland, NZ and the local newspaper asked me to interview him because I wasn't yer average 'pop punk rocker' and they felt I might actually know who he is and what he does . . . which, I did, of course - long time fan of him and Ralph Towner, Egberto Gismonti et al. Lovely man, great conversation and I briefly tried one of his 12 Strings in the hotel room . . . a bit scary! He played a long solo set, mostly 12 String, and apart from the beauty of his playing I was in awe of the physical strength he had to pull it all off so seemingly effortlessly - a privilege to meet him and hear him live.

[@clydeortego8332]

How about demoing the Epiphone DR 212 12 string one day?

[@amoamasamatitagain1715]

I am lucky enough to own the 50th anniversary D35 12 fret 12 string with a VTS top…… to me it’s the best in the world. The only thing missing on mine is the H. This one here is also excellent.

[@texhaines9957]

Sounds better than John Denver's Guild 12-string.

[@811cablemaster]

What kind of pickup would you recommend

[@macktheknife8443]

Cooper is a good player, not only acoustic but also electric. How long have you been playing the guitar Cooper? The HD-12 28 is a really good sounding instrument. I would really love to see a comparison video featuring the Guild F512 in both maple in rosewood.

[@ABBYDOG26]

Beautiful chimney guitar.

[@pepmasters-999]

It's smioking.

[@Shovel-om7kn]

I saw a Guild mahogany 12 on your website. Might be a good comparison? Semper Fi Go McAllen Bulldogs! (for Chris)😂

[@texhaines9957]

Should Cooper get one: eventually, maybe to celebrate his first child. Has Cooper tried a Taylor 9-string? I found it better than Nashville tuning.

[@MrA1582000]

Love the Zelda T shirt.

[@ciromaretti881]

Nice! Do you guys intend to do a video with the new 50th anniversary Taylors? 😊

[@AlamoMusic]

Of course!

[@johnwashburn3793]

I assume Chris finally got a steal or brass body's resonator...?

[@texhaines9957]

Have you considered a D-28 12-fret?

[@halfabee]

Current price $3,499.00

[@johnwashburn3793]

I have had a couple 12 strings over the years. They are a lot of fun and can be frustrating at times. I sometimes miss mine but I probably will not buy another (poor vision and a strong dislike of changing strings. I don't gig as often these days).

[@williamburroughs2273]

The D-12-28 is the best 12-string for the money, the big bass gives more dimension to the normal treble-focused 12-string sound. I've got one from 1983 and my only complaint is the neck, it's a bear. This new HD-12-28 has a thinner and much more playable neck than the old baseball bat deals.

[@CenterThePendulum]

12 strings make for great 8th or 9th guitars in a collection.

[@jed1166]

I have a RainSong Jumbo 12 string, that is now #2 in the collection,(behind a RainSong Jumbo 6 string). Equipped with an LR Baggs Anthem, and it sounds phenomenal plugged in! Strummed, finger-picked, arpeggiated, all sound great. It just something extra that the audiences really enjoy. I play solo, in an acoustic duet, and full band situations, and in each scenario, the 12 string shines. Remember, it’s all about what the audience likes, not about us,(I’ve listened to myself for almost 60 years…yawn).

[@bluegryp]

Lol this is so true. Had about 9 guitars before i was like yep time for a 12 stringer.

[@lupindeweir]

Coop, I'll give ya a dollar!

[@pepmasters-999]

I like the idea of a 12-string in theory but in practice I think they are just roo much of a pain in the neck.

[@JeffSimpson-yy2si]

If cooper gets one then I get one

[@johnwashburn3793]

WHY not the HD34 (the 28 + 6 additional strings).

[@jshu1625]

Tricky man lol....

[@scottbecker3485]

Sweet. And still cheaper than the Martin Inception 😂.

[@robmarchese]

I understand the stupidity of my question, but I'm going to ask it anyway - and I appreciate anyone's candid feedback: I have the Martin 12-string D-X2E ($699.00) and I'm considering the HD-28. Is the difference pretty massive when it comes to tone, feel, playability, etc.?

[@AlamoMusic]

Yes too all of the above. The guitar will have a better feel and setup from the factory. Tone wise the guitar will be more resonant since it is all solid wood and the over build and attention to detail is far superior. - Chris

[@artrogers3985]

Never played a 12 string. Do they hurt?

[@ABBYDOG26]

Some are real hard to fret not to mention bar chords

[@michaelellis2676]

My Taylor 12 string is easy to play and actually stays in tune, but doesn’t sound anything as good as this Martin.

[@bluegryp]

My Guild f-512 is set up perfectly and it’s like butter to play. So easy. If you can play 6 string then you can play a 12. Not all 12 strings are equal though. Stick with a higher end guild model as they are the 12 string benchmark, or go with a martin 12 string. They’re pretty close. Taylors are good too but they have a weird sound to me. Just personal preference though. Cheap 12s will be tougher to play.

[@artrogers3985]

@@bluegryp Thanks for that.

[@johnwashburn3793]

Cooper should buy as many as his wife allows!

[@sonoma_s]

How is playability vs. one of Taylor 9-string guitars?

[@karlcountry2363]

Are you serious, I love Martin and will always pick Martin before buying a Taylor so I say this begrudgingly, Taylor’s the easiest instruments on the planet to play.

[@beautifulguitars3158]

Second

[@jimdoner3443]

Yeah get it Cooper , a 4 year loan wont cost you that much 🎉🎉🎉

[@apegrasshoplizard]

1st

[@PhillProbst]

HD-56?!? BITE YOUR TONGUE!!! 😡 It's bad enough that retailers like GC (and lately even Martin themselves) are playing fast and loose with Martin's traditional naming protocol, don't you start ... FWIW, the D12-28 was Martin's longest lived 12 string model, this one (HD12-28) is an update on that model. If I didn't already have 4 other Martin 12's, in 4 different tunings (standard, D to d, C to c, & DADGAD) I might be interested ...

[@stephensparks3621]

I want that Guitar... darn brain dead Biden took all my buying power away. I cut my teeth playing 12 strings and that one sounds great. The only way to make it better is to have it a 12 fretter.

[@phillipdaigle4850]

YOU KNOW, If yall wouldn't talk SOO much and Play more these videos wouldBe Great.