C.F. Martin & Co D-28 LH 2025

A "Standard Series" D-28 with a Golden Era touch

A true cornerstone of the Martin lineup, the D-28 is one of those guitars that defined the modern folk sound. Made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, with traditional construction, it combines benchmark luthiery (solid wood, X-bracing, dovetail neck/body joint) with updated details to improve playability without losing the "vintage" soul. This D-28 LH Golden Era particularly emphasizes dynamics and resonance thanks to the GE bracing, delivering the feel of a historically inspired dreadnought but with modern comfort.

Who is it for, and what styles?

This Martin is aimed at intermediate to expert guitarists (and demanding beginners ready to invest in a definitive instrument) who want an acoustic guitar with character. Thanks to its dreadnought format, it excels in powerful strumming, vocal accompaniment, folk, country, Americana, bluegrass, but remains very credible in fingerpicking due to its quick response and strong note sustain. In the left-handed version, it finally allows access to the absolute standard without compromise on luthiery.

Sound

The solid Sitka spruce top provides clarity, crisp attack, and a wide dynamic range, ideal for transitioning from delicate to energetic playing. The solid East Indian rosewood back and sides enhance bass depth, harmonic complexity, and the typical "width" of the D-28's sound. The Golden Era X-bracing promotes a more open resonance and generous sustain, while the traditional construction (including the dovetail joint) contributes to vibration transfer: a full, stable, and immediately recognizable sound with excellent projection both in ensembles and solo.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay true to the spirit of the instrument, prioritize medium gauge phosphor bronze steel strings (like the original set) to maintain bass foundation and volume reserve. A folk guitar capo, picks suited to your attack style, and an acoustic guitar humidifier (for solid wood) are also reliable choices to protect the instrument and stabilize its performance.

Technical specifications

Category	Steel String Shaped Body	Fingerboard	Ebony
Format	Dreadnought	Nbrs of frets	20
Left handed	Yes	Headstock	East Indian rosewood
Cutaway	No	Neck Type	Glued
Strings	Steel	Electroacoustic	No
Nbr of strings	6	Color	Natural
Top	Spruce	Finishing	Glossy
Neck	Selected wood	Hardware	Nickel

Body type	dreadnought, neck/body joint at the 14th fret	Back & sides finish	gloss
Bracing	X	Neck shape	Low
Top bracing	solid Sitka spruce 7.94 mm / 0.31"	Body/neck joint	glued, dovetail joint
Back and sides	Solid East Indian rosewood	Scale length	645 mm / 25.4"
Rosette	style 28	Number of frets	20
Pickguard	black	Inlays	Style 28
Binding	Boltaron	Radius	406 mm / 16" (bridge)
Top binding	black/white Boltaron	Nut width	44.45 mm / 1.75"
Back binding	black/white Boltaron	Nuts	Bone 42.9 mm / 1.69" (headstock), compensated bone radius 406 mm / 16" (bridge)
Back binding inlay	style 28	Fingerboard width at 12th fret	54 mm / 2.13"
Side joint binding	white Boltaron	Neck finish	satin
Side joint binding inlay	black/white Boltaron	Heel cap	white Boltaron
Finish	Gloss