Martin D28 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

Feature:
The only "accessory" was the factory hard shell case. It is most adequate for the protection of this fine instrument. The materials, (Indian rosewood/spruce/mahogany/ebony) are well selected and perfectly matched. The binding is perfect. The tuners hold their tune much beter than my older Seagull.

Quality:
It seems fashionable in some circles to "Martin bash" on quality issues. I think this is due to the fact that the difference between the top names, (Martin, Gibson, Guild) and the competition is very much smaller than it used to be. Also because these top names have brought out popular priced models to compete. Suffice it to say that I have found the D-28 to be flawless. It is better than I expected, and more thanI hoped for.

Value:
I certainly haven't played every brand and model guitar available, but I've played a bunch of them, and the only one I would hold out against my D-28 is my neighbor's Schoenberg. (At a $400 or $500 price premium.) So, yes, I rate the D-28 as a huge value.

Desirability:
Acoustic guitars in general are a pretty generic lot in the "sex appeal" department. Gloss vs. matte, rosewood vs. mahogany, full body vs. cutaway- these are really personal preference issues. I can only say that of all the "Plain Jane" dreadnauts out there, I've fallen for mine! The inlays are very conservative, but perfectly executed. The finish has no blemishes I can see, (with my poor old eyes). The bindings, as previously stated, are beautifully done. Sexy? Yeah, to me it's very sexy.

Sound:
I do a lot of bass pick/strum or bass pick/pluck, (and some really elementry finger picking), and none of the sound gets lost in the process. The bass is strong, the mids ring and the tops strings are crisp and clean.

Support:
This is a brand new instrument with no "out of the box" issues, so I can only expect that my support will be there if I ever need it. Martin has de-centralized their support to a network of factory approved luthiers, one of which is very conviently located, so I anticipate no problems in this regard. (Back when support was rendered in Pennsylvania, my friend sent his D-35 in for some major adjustments, and received it back in perfect condition, with a note chastising him for his neglect, and suggesting that he take better care of his instrument in the future!)

Overall:
This is almost certainly my "run out" guitar. For one thing, I'm getting up there. For another, I could get much, much better that I am, and still not outpace the D-28. I expect this fine instrument to give me 25 years or so of pure enjoyment, and then I'll pass it on to some lucky kid.

Feature:
straight forward, made to play by people who play for people who play.

Quality:
exceptional workmanship

Value:
well it is 2ooo clams

Desirability:
uhhhh sex appeal?...you guys are weird man.....

Sound:
the old guys that lament the loss of sound in new martins are wood heads. The new instruments will age with time and care to be coveted 20 years from now. They are still the best and if you care for it and allow it to age well, will be the best rig you can play. They are mostly handcrafted and have a custom sound. you pay 2000 for a real musicians tool. You want flowers and crap all over your guitar then you probably cant play anyway.

Ease of Use:
great action, wish that they would support heavy strings, but mediums are cool.

Support:
i havent dealt with them, the thing works.

Overall:
gonna be buried with it