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The Ultimate Golden-era D-28 Re-creation





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Many discerning guitarists instantly name the D-28 as their all-time favorite Martin; it is the standard to which all acoustic guitars are compared. Affectionately dubbed the "tone cannon," the D-28 deploys iconic rich tone and powerful projection that's perfect for stage and studio. For the D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS, Martin has reimagined this timeless classic, blending the enduring legacy of the guitar with the company's latest innovations. Inspired by the company's dreadnoughts from the 1930s and '40s, the D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS features a body profile that has been subtly reshaped for historical accuracy, along with other refinements that make it one of the most scrumptiously playable acoustic guitars in the Sweetwater Guitar Gallery. Of course, only the finest solid tonewoods are used: Guatemalan rosewood back and sides, and an Adirondack spruce top treated to Martin's proprietary VTS aging process. The net result is a superb instrument with a comfortable, played-in feel, knock-'em-dead looks, and a glorious vintage voice. This is your opportunity to own that very special D-28 you've been dreaming about.





Related Videos: D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS Acoustic Guitar - Aged Vintage Gloss


Powerful sound, full bass





The D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS acoustic guitar offers the deep bass response that's made Martin dreadnoughts so popular. Yet it also has a high-end presence that sings out even in heavy instrumentation. The instrument boasts a massive dynamic range: from loud, bombastic passages to quiet subtleties, you'll appreciate its immediate response to your unique touch. Whether you're flatpicking or playing fingerstyle, it reflects every nuance of your technique. The powerful voice and full sound of the D-28 have made it a staple in the bluegrass world, but its bold sonic signature has been heard cross-genre. The D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS is the ultimate expression of this exalted paragon from Martin's golden era.





Very special tonewoods deliver timeless tone





A quality acoustic guitar is all about the wood, and the Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS serves up a classic tonewood cocktail with no compromises. The top is solid Adirondack spruce with superior stiffness for big projection and spectacular note clarity. Its back and sides are made of solid Guatemalan rosewood, an exotic spin on a quintessential Martin material. A solid mahogany neck with a solid black ebony fingerboard gives the Martin D-28 amazing playability to match its awesome sound!





Martin’s Vintage Tone System





Sweetwater's tone connoisseurs are always in search of the perfect guitar tone, and in the acoustic world, one of the most beloved tones is that of a vintage Martin. Martin's Vintage Tone System (VTS) is a proprietary torrefaction (thermochemical aging) process applied to the tops and braces of their VTS guitars to achieve the sound of an aged and played-in instrument. The Vintage Tone System allows Martin to age the woods to a specific time period without the typical change in color that results from most roasting processes. Martin VTS guitars not only look and play like lovingly-cared-for vintage guitars, they also have that sought-after sound.





The dreadnought: drenched in history





Launched in 1906, Britain's HMS Dreadnought was the first all-big-gun battleship and the first to use steam-turbine propulsion. Larger, faster, quieter, and more deadly than any warship that had come before, it ushered in the modern era of naval warfare. In 1916, Martin, which had been handcrafting fine guitars since 1833, christened their new large-bodied steel-string acoustic guitars after the groundbreaking naval vessel. Ubiquitous today across musical genres, dreadnoughts deliver the volume, projection, and deep bass that make them ideal for vocal accompaniment, solo work, and many other "unplugged" applications, and also gives them the power to drive a track or plow through a thick arrangement.





A cornerstone of modern music





Martin's early dreadnoughts set into motion the instrument's prominent role in modern music and set the standard for tone quality in acoustic guitars. Martin dreadnoughts became known for resonant warm tones, quality craftsmanship, and tasteful styling. For those reasons, Martin guitars became an important part of the music written and performed by the stars of the 1920s and beyond. The post-WWII D-28 became a cornerstone of the folk and folk-rock music of the '50s and '60s, but it's the D-28 models from the '30s and '40s from which the Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS draws its inspiration. Incorporating subtle spec refinements that make it even more faithful to these coveted classics while optimizing tone and performance, this stunning guitar delivers the ultimate D-28 playing experience at a fraction of the price of an original golden-era model. If you've been waiting for that very special D-28 to come along, this one's the real deal. Grab it!





Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS Acoustic Guitar Features:


Iconic dreadnought design from Martin's golden era


Vintage spec refinements


Solid Adirondack spruce top with VTS; Aged Vintage Gloss finish


Scalloped top bracing


Grained Ivoroid top binding/purfling; Multi-Stripe rosette


Solid Guatemalan rosewood back and sides; Aged Vintage Gloss finish


Zig-Zag Authentic back/side binding/purfling


Solid mahogany neck, Authentic 1937 profile; Aged Vintage Gloss finish


Dovetail 14th-fret neck joint, hide glue construction


Solid ebony fingerboard, 20 frets, 1937 Diamond and Square inlays; Grained Ivoroid side markers


Bone nut; 25.4-inch scale length


Authentic Belly bridge with glued-in long bone saddle, Ivory Pattern pins


Guatemalan rosewood headstock overlay


Waverly nickel open-back tuning machines


Handcrafted by Martin luthiers in Nazareth, PA


Martin hardshell case included