Martin Custom Shop D-28 Flamed Koa Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case

Martin Custom Shop D-28 Flamed Koa

At NAMM 2023 in California, Martin displayed a lineup of spectacular Custom Shop guitars, with dealers such as ourselves able to "bid" on each.  We at Truetone Music love these sorts of events, as they provide the opportunity to get a one of a kind guitar.  Therefore, we couldn't resist going for every single one of them.  We won one - and magically, it was one that we wanted the most!  The Martin Custom Shop is known for creating some of the finest acoustics in the world, using premium woods and the highest level of craftsmanship.  Sometimes they are recreations of classics, and sometimes they have little twists to make them even more unique.  And when it's a special NAMM event guitar, we are proud to have the only one out there.

This Martin Custom Shop version of an D-28 is a perfect example of something special.  The stunningly beautiful Flamed Koa back and sides of the guitar are what you notice first.  This spread was hand-selected at the Custom Shop for its exotic nature - while not the first to use Koa, this one really stands out.  The look of the guitar itself would be enough, but the materials, construction and appointments make it all the more enticing. 

 

Koa produces a brighter sound that is also very evenly balanced.  Often described as being between maple and rosewood, Koa offers the best of both worlds: the crisp, clarity of the former and warmth and thick tone of the latter.  Koa guitars might sound bright and tight off the shelf, and benefit from a good amount of "playing in". The more they’re played, the more the sound opens up. Tones become richer, sweeter and more resonant, with a rich low end and well-rounded sparkle overall.  The folks at the Martin Custom Shop found the most highly figured piece of Koa on hand, and the result is amazing.  This particular D-28 was matched with an amazing Sitka Spruce top, which was also hand-selected while at the Custom Shop.  It adds a bit of mid-range to balance the back & sides, producing a great balance for fingerpicking.  The Venetian cutaway is a nice touch, allowing you full access to the upper register.

Even though the guitar was already going to be gorgeous, they decided to add a beautiful abalone rosette and Rosewood binding.  In addition to that, the black ebony fretboard was adorned with Offset Snowflake inlays, made out of select Abalone.  This makes it even more singular.  

The neck is Martin’s modified low oval with high performance taper, making it very comfortable to play for hours.  The radius is 16” with a nut width of 1 3/4”.  The guitar is finished in gloss with a satin finished neck.  To finish it off, the guitar has been outfitted with electronics (Fishman Gold Plus Natural I), so you can take it straight to the stage.  It comes with a Martin hard shell case and certificate of authenticity.  

This is one of the most beautiful and unique Martin guitars we've had here, and we are proud to present it to you.  Come to Truetone Music today to experience this amazing Martin Custom Shop guitar, or order online right here today.

• Configuration # C21-096079
• Serial # 2587723
• Appointment Level: Standard
• Adhesive: Modern Adhesive
• Top Material: Sitka Spruce
• Bracing Material, Top: Sitka Spruce 
• Back and Side Material: Flamed Koa
• Binding Material: East Indian Rosewood
• Rosette Style: Style 45 Black Maple Fiber / Select Abalone
  
• Pickguard: Tortoise
• Bridge Style: Modern Belly
• Neck Material: 12/4 Genuine Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Modified Low Oval
• Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
• Tuning Machines: Grover Nickel H97-18NA Sta-Tite Side Mnt 18:1
• Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlay: Offset 4Pt Snowflake 
• Side Dots: White
• Nut & Saddle: Bone
• Finish Type: Standard
• Finish Package: Gloss Body w/ Satin Neck and Polished Headplate
• Top Color: Clear
• Venetian Cutaway
• Dovetail Neck Joint
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Nut Width: 1 3/4"
• Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
• String Spacing: 2 5/32"
• Radius: 16"
• Headplate Inlay: CFM Script Logo w/o 1833
• Headplate Inlay Pearl Species: Select Abalone
  
• Bridge Pins: Bone w/ Paua
• Electronics: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I
• Case: Molded Hardshell