Martin HD-28V

This Martin HD-28V Custom 2000 is from Acoustic Guitarmagazine’s 10th Anniversary Collection.

One of the most unique instruments produced in C.F. Martins 187-year history, this Acoustic Guitar 10th Anniversary model is guaranteed to be highly collectible. Based on the companys HD-28V Vintage Series dreadnought, the entire instrument is designed to be a “reversed” or photonegative image of a standard Martin instrument. To realize this effect, the guitars body and neck are finished in black, the bridge, fingerboard, pickguard, and headplate are made from white Micarta, and even details such as the saddle, bridge pins and heel cap are colored opposite of Martins standard. While radical in many ways, the guitars appointments also include traditional herringbone trim, as well as an abalone rosette and style-45 snowflake inlay of the fingerboard. The Acoustic Guitar 10th Anniversary logo is inlaid in the headstock in rare dark green heart abalone pearl, and the guitars interior label is personally signed by C.F. Martin IV and David Lusterman, founder of Acoustic Guitar..

Because every Martin is first and foremost designed to be a player, this 10th Anniversary Custom Herringbone Dreadnought features the same specs found on the best-selling production model. Solid rosewood back and sides, a solid Sitka spruce top, and the companys classic forward-shifted scalloped bracing ensures legendary dreadnought sound. A modern low-profile neck with a 1 -inch nut provides outstanding playability. Chrome Schaller tuning machines with ebony buttons make tuning up a breeze, and a deluxe Geib-style hardshell case provides excellent protection.

The highest bidder of this custom shop guitar will receive an instrument with the unique combination of a design thats bold and unusual enough for a museum, and classic tone and playability worthy of any stage.

Product Specs

From the December 2000 issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine:

In a deliberate break from tradition, C.F. Martin and Co. built us a custom photonegative herringbone dreadnought. Based on the companys HD-28 Vintage Series model, the guitar is made to look like a photo negative. In other words, everything you expect to be dark in color is light and vice-versa. I got the idea from our limited-edition Grand Ole Opry guitar [which featured a white fingerboard], says Martins Dick Boak. In my head, I merged it with our black Johnny Cash model, and the idea was born. The instrument features a white micarta bridge, fingerboard, pickguard, and headstock overlay (material usually used for nuts and saddles) and black body, neck, nut, saddle, bridge pins, and tuner buttons. Even the guitars labelsigned by C.F. Martin IV and Acoustic Guitar publisher David A. Lustermanis color-reversed. Despite the guitars nontraditional look, its the same classic rosewood dreadnought that has earned Martin the respect of players worldwide.

See all lots from the April 2020 sale.