Evolving A Legend

Guitarist talks to Martin’s CEO about the art of updating an iconic flat-top

The reimagining of the D-28 initially posed a dilemma for Martin. Following its successful update of the D-18, how would they approach a growing rosewood-bodied line that now encompassed a variety of models including the distinct HD-28, D-35, HD-35, D-45, D-41 and D-42?

After the decision was made to start with the D-28, the discussion of what form that would take began. But what company CEO Chris Martin didn’t want was new features like scalloped bracing that encroached on the company’s now established HD-28. “We’re fortunate right now because of what happened after World War II,” he explains to Guitarist. “For a variety of reasons we stopped scalloping the bracing and stopped using herringbone trim. We’ve established the model D-28, separate from the HD28 and I think they’re both mini brands in themselves.”

The solution to Martin’s predicament was already at hand, or more precisely, in head of R&D Tim Teel’s hand: a guitar his team had already put together. “He came up to my office and said, ‘Here’s something we came up with but didn’t know what to do with it.’” That guitar became the Reimagined D-28 prototype Martin took to Summer NAMM as the company went into full production mode on the design.

Some guitarists associate an update with modernisation but there’s a balance in this guitar with the more vintage appointments. Was all that integrated into the original design Tim had?