HD-28 and HD-35

[Grachi]

i know this is two years old, but I'm looking to buy a martin dreadnaught, and I've only heard great things about the 28 and 35 series.

the place i buy guitars from has a decent selection of martins, but its basically a house converted into a store, so there isn't a whole lot of selection of just one brand.

But, say if the place i go to has the D28, HD28, HD28V, D35, and HD35. (unlikely but just for a hypothetical situation)

What would be the best guitar out of those for the lowest or moderate-range price? From what i've seen online it looks like the d28 is the cheapest of the bunch, but from what i've read in this thread and otherwise it looks like it's split between The H and the non H 35. But the 35 is also the most expensive it seems.

Suggestions?

[MakoMako]

i know this is two years old, but I'm looking to buy a martin dreadnaught, and I've only heard great things about the 28 and 35 series.

the place i buy guitars from has a decent selection of martins, but its basically a house converted into a store, so there isn't a whole lot of selection of just one brand.

But, say if the place i go to has the D28, HD28, HD28V, D35, and HD35. (unlikely but just for a hypothetical situation)

What would be the best guitar out of those for the lowest or moderate-range price? From what i've seen online it looks like the d28 is the cheapest of the bunch, but from what i've read in this thread and otherwise it looks like it's split between The H and the non H 35. But the 35 is also the most expensive it seems.

Suggestions?

I personally have my eyes set on getting a D-35. It just seems to be a very nice guitar with a great sound. It is very easy to play anywhere on the neck, for me personally. There isn't a thing about it I don't like.

I recently played an HD-28, but this was one of those exceptional models. It just happened to be the stores' luck to get that particular one in. It was much better compared to other HD-28s I've played. But on average, with how much I've played the Martins recently, I'd go D-35, all the way.

Just one man's opinion.

[SeekUp]

I've played every single one of those guitars you listed, and the HD-28V by far is the best playing and sounding of the bunch. The runner-up would be the HD-35, followed by the D-35.

[CWMCALL]

I have an HD-35 and I love it...

[EnFuego]

I had an HD28V and loved it as well. The neck is the V-neck, which you may love or hate...you need to try it before buying it. I believe the HD series are supposed to have more base (due to the scalloped bracing), and I have read of people complaining that they are harder to use for recording due to that fact.

Not really something to base a decision on (in my opinion, anyway), but the HD 28V has diamond-shaped fretboard markers, which I like a lot more than the circles.

There are places online you can find Martin's for a good price. I bought mine form Maurys Music (http://www.maurysmusic.com). The price online isn't the price they sell for (just the minimum price they are allowed to advertise). From what I remember he typically charges 58-60% of List Price (not 58-60% of the advertised price, but 58-60% of the price listed on the martin website). That said, there is always a risk of buying online on not liking the tone of the specific guitar, etc. so its always better to buy in person, if the choice is available to you.

[charliemike]

I had an HD28V and loved it as well. The neck is the V-neck, which you may love or hate...you need to try it before buying it. I believe the HD series are supposed to have more base (due to the scalloped bracing), and I have read of people complaining that they are harder to use for recording due to that fact.

Not really something to base a decision on (in my opinion, anyway), but the HD 28V has diamond-shaped fretboard markers, which I like a lot more than the circles.

There are places online you can find Martin's for a good price. I bought mine form Maurys Music (http://www.maurysmusic.com). The price online isn't the price they sell for (just the minimum price they are allowed to advertise). From what I remember he typically charges 58-60% of List Price (not 58-60% of the advertised price, but 58-60% of the price listed on the martin website). That said, there is always a risk of buying online on not liking the tone of the specific guitar, etc. so its always better to buy in person, if the choice is available to you.

I agree with playing before buying. I've bought two guitars sight unseen and was very lucky but normally I wouldn't do that.

If he's willing to be patient, Craigslist has higher-end guitars on it from time to time.

Like this one:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 31191.html

*drool*

[Grachi]

they have a nice HD 35 at my local guitar center...

shit... what a nice guitar... I could have played it forever

unfortunately i dont have 2g's to throw down at the moment.

[mlb1399]

Not a fan of the Herringbone. I love the D35. I will be buying one before Christmas.