Martin D-28 Billy Strings Signature Acoustic Guitar – Natural with Antique Toner

A 6-string Cannon Fit for a Modern Bluegrass Legend

Based upon Billy’s vintage 1940 D-28, the Martin D-28 Billy Strings acoustic guitar twists and tweaks Martin’s prewar formula with a performance-minded set of modern modifications. Few genres owe so much to a single instrument as bluegrass does to the mighty Martin D-28, so it’s no surprise that this guitar’s dynamic spruce top, full-bodied East Indian rosewood back and sides, and forward-shifted Golden Era scalloped bracing largely mirror traditional specs. So, what sets Billy’s D-28 apart? This exceptional acoustic clocks in with a reduced 25-inch scale length — nearly a half-inch shorter than a standard D-28! — thus slackening up the strings and offering a more comfortable platform for blazing bluegrass licks and expressive bends. Moreover, the genuine mahogany Modified Low Oval neck profile, 16-inch-radius ebony fingerboard, and slimmed-down 1.72-inch nut width further enhance playability with a slim, speedy feel. A set of old-school Martin appointments rounds it all out, including high-class herringbone trim, diamond and square inlays, nickel enclosed-gear tuners, and an eye-catching Antique Toner finish. All in all, the D-28 Billy Strings brilliantly mirrors its inspiration with a potent blend of bluegrass heritage and boundary-pushing attitude.

Shortened scale length supplies reduced tension

Traditionally, Martin’s dreadnought models sport a long 25.4-inch scale length, while the smaller-bodied 000-and-under models generally feature a reduced 24.9-inch scale. Each scale has its unique set of sonic intricacies, yet the difference between these two specs is often felt before it’s heard. By striking in the middle of these two measurements, the 25-inch scale retains the depth and authority of a traditional dreadnought while simultaneously granting you a lower-tension feel. Moreover, City Music’s bluegrass shredders instantly found the D-28 Billy Strings to be far more conducive to bends than a typical long-scale dread — a boon for Billy, as his modern bluegrass mastery often draws subtle influence from the world of rock guitar.

Timeless tonewood formula

Since the dawn of the dreadnought guitar, spruce and rosewood have reigned supreme as a truly iconic tonewood combination. And while the Martin D-28 can’t claim credit for inventing the formula, its incalculable influence is arguably why the spruce-topped, rosewood-bodied dreadnought still stands today as one of the most popular and archetypical designs in the steel-string world. The D-28 Billy Strings signature model carries on this time-tested tradition, starting with a resonant and responsive solid spruce top. Underneath the top, Martin’s Golden Era forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing recalls the booming bass drawl of the brand’s legendary prewar models. It’s all topped off with a set of rosewood back and sides that shimmer with crisp top-end chime, dense lows, and a rich harmonic depth that imbues your every note with harmonic complexity.

Setting the standard for steel strings everywhere

If there were such a thing as a “standard” acoustic guitar shape, it would undoubtedly be the dreadnought. It’s Martin’s most iconic model and a key component to the cannon-like projection and booming bass response that’s defined the Nazareth sound since the D-18 and D-28 appeared in the early 1930s — and even earlier if you count Martin’s “Ditson” models! Whether you’re a flatpicking bluegrass phenom or a singer/songwriter strummer, a Martin dreadnought will provide you with a lifetime’s worth of superior steel-string tone.

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Features:

• Based on Billy’s prewar Martin D-28 and tweaked with a choice set of performance-focused appointments
• Shortened 25-in. scale length supplies reduced tension and a more bend-friendly feel
• Spruce top supported with forward-shifted Golden Era scalloped bracing ensures responsive performance and a deep, rich voice
• East Indian rosewood back and sides deliver the traditional Martin bass boom and crisp, harmonic-rich trebles
• Big-bodied Martin dreadnought design ensures ample, chest-thumping bass response
• Easy-playing genuine mahogany neck, capped with a slick satin finish and carved into Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval neck profile
• Ebony fingerboard complete with old-school diamond and square inlays
• Slimmed-down 1.72-in. nut width keeps the strings a bit closer together to facilitate rapid-fire bluegrass runs
• Rock-solid nickel enclosed-gear tuners
• Premium appointments include a bone nut, bone saddle, and ebony bridge
• High-class herringbone trim around the guitar imbues it with a touch of prewar charm