Martin D-28 vs. HD-28

Symposium Compares and Contrasts the Iconic Martin Dreadnoughts

To scallop or not to scallop, that is the bracing question

Aaron Short Music, February 8, 2021, featuring Aaron Short, NYC, Maury Rutch of Maury’s Music, in Coaldale, PA and T Spoon Phillips of Brooklyn, NY

Here are better examples of the difference physical differences between scalloped bracing used on the HD-28 and most other modern Martins, and non-scalloped bracing used on the D-28 and D-35.

Scalloped vs Non Scalloped Braces onemanz.com

Martin scalloped bracing diagram onemanz.com

Exaggerated relief showing the “suspension bridge shaping of scalloped braces and tone bars used on a 14-fret Martin Dreadnought

Moon River Mark by Dick Boak

A Life on Georgian Bay

A singer-songwriter expose

Dick Boak has created a video about a Martin-loving maverick named Mark Groulex, aka Moon River Mark of Ontario, Canada. Moon River runs through the forests near the eastern section of Lake Huron called Georgian Bay, about 200km north of Toronto. Boak first encountered Groulex at a local open mic when vacationing in Canada. The two have remained friend ever since.

Video Review: Martin OMC-16E Burst (2019)

OMC-16E Brust specifications include: Orchestra Model with Cutaway body shape; solid ovangkol top with Mahogany Burst under gloss finish; solid ovangkol back and sides with satin finish; scalloped 1/4″ braces; long-scale High Performance Neck with Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance taper (1-3/4″ at the nut, 2-18″ at the 12th fret) on the solid ebony fingerboard; 2-5/32″ string spacing at the solid ebony bridge; faux tortoise shell and pickguard; Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics with onboard volume and tone control, and Enhance blender for undersaddle pickup and bridge plate sensor. 

The classic Orchestra Model experience with an ovangkol top that adds warmth like a walnut top but with the vibrant trebles of spruce.

2019 Martin Models: The New 16 Series in Review – ALL of them

Video Review: Martin D-16E Burst (2019)

D-16E Burst Specifications include: Dreadnought body shape; solid ovangkol top with Mahogany Burst under gloss finish; solid ovangkol back and sides with satin finish; scalloped 1/4″ braces; long-scale High Performance Neck with Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance taper (1-3/4″ at the nut, 2-18″ at the 12th fret) on the solid ebony fingerboard; 2-5/32″ string spacing at the solid ebony bridge; faux tortoise shell and pickguard; Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics with onboard volume and tone control, and Enhance blender for undersaddle pickup and bridge plate sensor. 

The classic Dreadnought looks, but a comfortable shallower depth. The ovangkol top that adds warmth like a walnut top but with the vibrant trebles of spruce.

2019 Martin Models: The New 16 Series in Review – ALL of them

Video Review: Martin 00-16E (2019)

Specifications include: Grand Concert body size; solid Sitka spruce top with gloss finish; solid East Indian  back and sides with satin finish; scalloped 1/4″ braces; Short-scale High Performance Neck with Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance taper (1-3/4″ at the nut, 2-18″ at the 12th fret) on the solid ebony fingerboard; 2-5/32″ string spacing at the solid ebony bridge; Antique White body binding; faux tortoise shell pickguard; Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics with onboard volume and tone control, and Enhance blender for undersaddle pickup and bridge plate sensor. 

The 14-fret 00 body size is very comfortable and portable while still putting out the sound of a full-size acoustic guitar, especially when plugged in.

2019 Martin Models: The New 16 Series in Review – ALL of them

Video Review: Martin 000-16E (2019)

000-16E pecifications include: Auditorium body size; solid Sitka spruce top with gloss finish; solid East Indian  back and sides with satin finish; scalloped 1/4″ braces; Short-scale High Performance Neck with Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance taper (1-3/4″ at the nut, 2-18″ at the 12th fret) on the solid ebony fingerboard; 2-5/32″ string spacing at the solid ebony bridge; Antique White body binding; faux tortoise shell pickguard; Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics with onboard volume and tone control, and Enhance blender for undersaddle pickup and bridge plate sensor. 

The short-scale neck makes for a comfortable and fun playing experience with plenty of power to handle big strumming and fingerstyle blues.

2019 Martin Models: The New 16 Series in Review – ALL of them




Video Review: Martin GPC-16E (2019)

Specifications include: Grand Performance with Cutaway body shape with 000 side depth; solid Sitka spruce top with gloss finish; solid East Indian  back and sides with satin finish; scalloped 1/4″ braces; long-scale High Performance Neck with Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance taper (1-3/4″ at the nut, 2-18″ at the 12th fret) on the solid ebony fingerboard; 2-5/32″ string spacing at the solid ebony bridge; Antique White body binding; faux tortoise shell pickguard; Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics with onboard volume and tone control, and Enhance blender for undersaddle pickup and bridge plate sensor. 

The shallow body greatly increases resistance to feedback when plugged in, while creating an acoustic voice more like an OM, only louder and with a little more power from the lowest bass string.

Video Review: Martin D-16E (2019)

D-16E specifications include: Dreadnought body shape with 000 side depth; solid Sitka spruce top with gloss finish; solid East Indian  back and sides with satin finish; scalloped 1/4″ braces; long-scale High Performance Neck with Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance taper (1-3/4″ at the nut, 2-18″ at the 12th fret) on the solid ebony fingerboard; 2-5/32″ string spacing at the solid ebony bridge; Antique White body binding; faux tortoise shell pickguard; Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics with onboard volume and tone control, and Enhance blender for undersaddle pickup and bridge plate sensor. 

The shallow body greatly increases resistance to feedback when plugged-in, while maintaining the look of a classic Martin Dreadnought.

2019 Martin Models: The New 16 Series in Review – ALL of them

Martin CEO-9 Video Review

Companion Video of the Martin CEO-9

The in-depth review is soon to appear at One Man’s Guitar

The CEO-9 is the ninth model designed by Chief Executive Office C. F. Martin IV. Like its predecessors, it showcases alternative materials and design elements outside the traditional Martin box.

It has the same body size and neck as the CEO-7, but different woods, looks, and special construction features.

I have taken some grief lately by internet flamers who feel I am too enthusiastic about my Martin guitar reviews. But I gotta say, the 2019 Martin models are extraordinarily impressive, from the new Modern Deluxe Series to the amazingly toneful D-42 Custom, to the other limited editions. And this CEO-9 right up there with the best of them. I would truly love to own one for my very own.