The Martin D-28 is one of the defining dreadnought designs in steel-string guitar history, and the refreshed Standard Series version brings several golden-era specifications back into focus. This 1933 Ambertone D-28 pairs a solid spruce top with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, giving players the powerful low end, rich harmonic depth, and clear high-end response that have made the model a longtime standard for bluegrass, country, rock, pop, and singer-songwriter playing.
At the heart of this refreshed D-28 is Martin's GE-scalloped, forward-shifted X-bracing. The bracing is designed to give the solid spruce top a more responsive and resonant feel, allowing the guitar to react naturally to both a lighter touch and aggressive flatpicking. The large dreadnought body supplies the projection and bass response players expect from a D-28.
The solid spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides form a classic tonewood combination. The spruce provides a responsive, articulate foundation, while the rosewood adds deep lows, shimmering overtones, and harmonic complexity. Together, they give the D-28 the tonal range to handle everything from powerful strumming to detailed fingerpicking.
For flatpickers and bluegrass players, the dreadnought body and strong low-end response provide plenty of headroom and projection. Singer-songwriters and rhythm players can take advantage of the guitar's full acoustic voice, while fingerpickers will appreciate the 1.75-inch nut width and responsive bracing.
Martin refreshed the Standard Series with a collection of features inspired by its historic instruments. This D-28 includes a GE Modified Low Oval neck profile, thinner ebony fingerboard with beveled edges, a vintage-style heel, angled nut, and GE belly bridge. These updates bring vintage-minded details together with a modern, comfortable playing experience.
The select hardwood neck has a satin finish and GE Modified Low Oval profile. Its 1.75-inch nut width provides enough room for fingerpicking while remaining comfortable for strumming. The 16-inch-radius ebony fingerboard features traditional Style 28 inlays and 20 frets.
Traditional Style 28 appointments include antique white binding, a multi-stripe rosette, and a faux tortoiseshell pickguard. Nickel open-gear tuners add dependable tuning stability while reinforcing the D-28's vintage-inspired character.
The D-28 remains a versatile choice when you need an acoustic that can fill a room without amplification. Its dreadnought body, solid spruce top, and rosewood construction provide the power needed for rhythm playing while maintaining enough clarity for individual notes and melodic work.
The refreshed Standard Series specifications make this version especially appealing to players who want the familiar D-28 foundation with vintage-inspired details and a more responsive playing feel. It's equally at home in a bluegrass jam, on a singer-songwriter stage, or as a long-term studio and writing instrument.
Roxy Music has been family-owned since 1939, with real musicians on staff who understand that an acoustic guitar is a long-term musical relationship, not just another piece of gear. We keep our inventory curated and focus on helping players find instruments that fit their sound, technique, and musical goals.
When you're investing in an instrument with the history and versatility of a D-28, having experienced musicians available to answer questions matters. Learn more about our independent music store and the people behind it.
The Martin D-28 Standard in 1933 Ambertone brings together the classic spruce-and-rosewood dreadnought formula with Martin's refreshed golden-era-inspired Standard Series specifications. It's a serious acoustic for players who want projection, tonal depth, responsiveness, and a guitar built to stay with them for years.
Questions? Call 219-362-2340 or contact us. Real musicians, no pressure.
