Acoustic Guitar Demo: Martin Model America 1 and Standard Series D 28

DEMONSTRATED BY MARY FLOWER | FROM THE APRIL ISSUE OF ACOUSTIC GUTAR | REVIEWED BY PETE MADSEN

Introduced in 1916, Martin’s Dreadnought—named after a British battleship, the HMS Dreadnought—is a guitar design that has withstood the test of time. The dreadnought’s large and deep body projects warmth and volume, making it irresistible to bluegrass, folk, and rock players. Martin’s iconic D-18 and D-28 models have been played by many heavyweights of 20th-century music, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Tony Rice.

Even today, when smaller-bodied guitars are the talk of the acoustic world, the trusty dreadnought accounts for about 80 percent of Martin’s production. All of this adds up to its being the most popular acoustic design the world over. So what can Martin do to update a guitar that has already captivated guitarists for a century?

To answer that question, we looked at two new instruments that point to Martin’s present and future: a recent update to the hallowed Standard Series D-28 and the Model America 1, made with all-American woods. Both guitars nod to the past while featuring thoughtful updates, adding to the pantheon of Martin dreadnoughts.

FULL REVIEW: http://acousticguitar.com/review-mart...