Lifetime Investment: Martin D 12-28 12 String Guitar
Written: Oct 11 '06 (Updated Oct 11 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quality, Sound, Hardshell Case, Lifetime Warranty
Cons: Appearance a little plain
The Bottom Line: If you're in the market for a 12-string, the Martin D 12-28 should be on your list for serious consideration. One of the best!
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| George_Chabot's Full Review: Martin D12-28 |
Lifetime Investment: Martin D 12-28 12 String Guitar
When you want to get a different sound from a standard acoustic guitar, the logical alternative is to try a 12-string guitar.
12-strings are very similar to six string guitars except each string is doubled with the bass side having octave strings (sounding one octave higher) and the treble side having unison strings that give a chiming effect. The sound that emanates could be described as chiming or jingly jangly – if you’ve listened to the classic Byrds or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers you’ve heard the sound of a 12-string guitar.
Before you decide to buy a 12-string guitar, I suggest you go to your local music store and try a variety of instruments. Perhaps a cheap plywood model from Yamaha or Seagull will satisfy your needs. Just make sure the model you choose is playable BY YOU and sounds good TO YOU. It doesn’t matter what anyone else can do with the guitar, a guitar is a personal instrument and should conform to your likes and needs. That will ensure that your playing improves at the best rate possible and that your sound gets to be more and more YOUR sound.
If you’ve tried several cheaper models and don’t like what you’ve found, you may luck out and find a GUILD 12-string. These are mainly discontinued now but there are rumors that there are new ones out there, produced by the Fender company nowadays. The Guild is the finest sounding 12-string I’ve ever heard, with great balance between the bass and treble sides of the instrument. The Guild is a solid wood guitar, meaning all the wooden components are selected natural wood, not pressed board, plywood or other inferior materials.
When you decide to get a handmade solid wood 12-string guitar, there are only a few brands that have made a lasting impression on the acoustic guitar market, along with Guild, there would be GIBSON and of course MARTIN. Leadbelly – on the other hand – played a STELLA, but they don’t make them any more. And who brought him into the conversation, anyway?
The Martin guitar we’re examining is the D 12-28, that is, a “D” for Dreadnought, 12 String in 28 level trim.
The Dreadnought body is one of two typical body styles on high quality full sized guitar models. It is characterized by a squarish set of shoulders and comparatively thick waist. The Dreadnought is noted for its booming bass tones that allow it to project its sound well. The other body style is called the Jumbo or “J” body – it has a curvy shape with a wasp waist and is usually brighter sounding than a Dreadnought. Each type has its adherents and I recommend you play both styles to decide which one is more adaptable to your likes and playing style.
The D-28 has an Indian Rosewood body with a Sitka Spruce top. Older D-28s had a reddish Brazilian Rosewood body, while the Indian Rosewood has a brownish color. It seems to me the older reddish ones sounded better, but I can’t prove it. The body is bound with multiple layer contrasting celluloid around the front and back to protect against hard knocks and splitting and a rosette graces the sound hole. The internal bracing emphasizes the bass tones of the guitar.
The dovetail set neck is Mahogany and the fretboard and bridge saddle are Ebony, a hard wood which gives excellent sustain. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret but you probably are not going to try to go up the neck much farther on a 12 string; if you do, there are 20 frets total.
The 28 in the model designation indicates the trim level. It is a step above the lowest trim level of the standard Martins. The only ornamentation included on the D-28 are pearl dot position markers on the fret board. The Gold paint Martin name logo appears on the head stock, which also has 12 nickel plated tuners. A plain black teardrop pick guard finishes the appointments. As a con, the factory finish is soft and prone to scratching.
The Martin 12 String Model 28 has excellent playability and intonation (keeps in tune as you move up the neck). Like most Martins, the sound runs more to the bass side, but the unison strings do help to project the treble better than a six string D-28. The neck width at the nut is 1 7/8” which I find is the perfect size to fit my fingers and is proportionately tapered up the neck for easy and smooth position changes.
The Martin guitar comes with a fitted hardshell case and lifetime guarantee for the original purchaser. The choice of many renowned players, perhaps the Martin D 12-28 will be your choice for your next guitar? Why don’t you play one and see?
The Martin D 28 is also available in a SIX String Model
Thanks for stopping by!
PS: This guitar is available at Musician's Friend, listed below. I don't know why epinions doesn't have a link with the price.
Recommended:
Yes
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