FACTOIDS & TRIVIA
During the 1980s, Martin made some custom order and short production-run models patterned after the legendary pre-World War II model D-28. The pre-War D-28s are affectionately known as “herringbones” or just “bones” by virtue of the herringbone marquetry inlaid along the perimeter of the top. The 1980s reissues proved to be popular enough that Martin introduced a pre-War "vintage" series in the 1990s. This Vintage series included the D-28 in 14-fret (HD-28VR) and 12-fret (HD-28VS) versions, the D-18VR, the D-18VS, the OM-28VR, the 000-28EC Eric Clapton signature model, and the D-45VR. These guitars are not true reproductions of the orginals, however. The HD-28VR shown here has some features not found on a pre-War D-28 including a satin finish neck, smaller “modified” V-shape neck profile, adjustable truss rod, Sitka spruce top with heavier bracing, and Indian rosewood body. Regardless of the modernization, the HD-28 still has the classic Martin dreadnaught sound.
MARTIN HD-28VR (1997)
Body:
Hollow; solid 2-piece Sitka spruce top, solid 2-piece Indian rosewood
back, and solid Indian rosewood sides; triple
bound top, double bound back
Finish: Natural, nitrocellulose lacquer
Neck: 1-piece mahogany, set-in; rosewood headstock overlay with decal logo
Fingerboard: Ebony, mother-of-pearl “diamond and square” markers
Number of Frets: 20
Pickguard: Tortoise, plastic
Bridge: Ebony with micarta saddle
Nut: Bone
Tuners: Martin "Sta-Tite" style, nickel
Pickups: None
Controls: None
Scale Length: 25 1/2 inches
Neck Width at Nut: 1 11/16 inches
Body Width at Lower Bout: 15 5/8 inches
Body Depth: 4 7/8 inches
Weight:
n/a