OM-28 & D-28 Refresh 2025 – comparing two Martin classics

Until December 31, 2025, you can take advantage of a one-time 16% discount on the OM-28 2025 Refresh and the D-28 2025 Refresh. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

When talking about legendary acoustic guitars, there are two models that are impossible to ignore: the Martin OM-28 and the D-28. Both have been around since the 1930s. Both are absolute classics. And yet they have two completely different characters that perfectly suit different playing styles and tastes.

In this article, we take a closer look at the two icons.

The Martin OM-28 – balanced, comfortable, versatile

The OM-28 is the elegant, balanced choice of the two models. Its slim 000 body offers a high level of comfort – ideal for playing fingerstyle.

The OM-28 delivers a wonderfully balanced mix of warm bass, clear mids, and brilliant highs. The solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, together with Golden Era X-bracing, create a rich, dynamic sound.

Its 25.4″ scale length provides slightly more string tension, giving the OM-28 its characteristic crisp, almost piano-like tone. Add to that a Golden Era-inspired neck profile with a slim fingerboard with rounded edges, as well as classic details such as herringbone design, ebony fingerboard, and nickel tuners—a blend of tradition and contemporary playability.

The Martin D-28 – the essence of the dreadnought sound

If there is one acoustic guitar that has helped shape music history, it is the D-28. From Joni Mitchell to David Gilmour to Jimmy Page, they have all relied on this iconic dreadnought sound in the studio and on stage.

The D-28 delivers exactly what this big body model is known for: powerful bass, clear highs, and rich overtones that fill any room. Like the OM-28, it features solid Sitka spruce and rosewood, combined with Golden Era Scalloped X-Bracing.

The modified low oval profile neck with a 25.4″ scale length is comfortable to play. Visually, the D-28 remains true to tradition: antique white bindings, ebony fingerboard, mother-of-pearl dots, and open nickel tuners add stylish vintage accents.

Which one suits you?

Both models embody what Martin has stood for for over 190 years: excellent craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and an unmistakable sound. The OM-28 is the right choice for anyone looking for a balanced, detailed, and comfortable guitar for fingerstyle and strumming. The D-28, on the other hand, is perfect for musicians who love the big, powerful dreadnought sound that cuts through the mix in any genre.

No matter which model you choose, with an OM-28 or D-28 you will get an instrument that will accompany you for the rest of your life.