Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

open zoom image for Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Full Straight Back

open zoom image for Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Headstock Left Front

open zoom image for Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Body Straight Front

open zoom image for Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Body Left Front

open zoom image for Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Body Straight Back

open zoom image for Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Headstock Straight Back

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Full Straight Front

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Full Left Front

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Full Straight Back

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Headstock Left Front

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Body Straight Front

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Body Left Front

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Body Straight Back

Martin D-28 Billy Strings Acoustic Guitar (with Case), New, Serial Number M2989190, Headstock Straight Back

zZounds Gear Experts Say...

This Martin delivers modern playability with a 25" scale and fast neck befitting bluegrass ace Billy Strings, with the timeless looks of his 1940s-era D-28.

What's special about this item?

Feature:	What it does:
Spruce top	Articulate tone, projects well, resists scratches
Scalloped X bracing	Top vibrates freely; remains stable
Modified low oval neck shape	Thin, fast feel with even tapering towards bridge
Ebony fretboard	Dark color, tight grain; premium fretboard wood

Overview

Inspired by Billy Strings' prized 1940 D-28, the Martin D-28 Billy Strings model blends pre-war design with modern enhancements tailored to Billy's high-energy bluegrass style. One of the standout features is the unique 25" scale length, which reduces string tension for easier bends and faster playing, perfect for Billy's signature rapid-fire licks. This custom scale length falls between the typical Martin long and short scales, offering a distinct feel that enhances both comfort and precision.

The guitar's slimmer 1 23/32" nut width and modified low oval satin neck profile further enhance its playability. This smaller nut width, slightly narrower than the traditional 1 3/4", gives players added agility. Paired with the satin-finished neck, the D-28 Billy Strings offers a smooth, fast-playing experience that feels natural and comfortable for extended sessions, whether you're on stage or in the studio.

Tonally, the D-28 Billy Strings delivers the deep, resonant sound that Martin Dreadnoughts are known for. Its solid East Indian rosewood back and sides provide a rich, balanced tone with strong bass, while the solid spruce top adds dynamic response and projection. Whether you're playing hard-driving bluegrass or exploring softer, more melodic genres, the D-28 offers versatility across a range of playing styles.

Aesthetically, the guitar reflects the timeless look of vintage Martins with bold herringbone trim, antique white binding, and an antique toner on the top. The ebony fingerboard… read more features abalone diamond and square inlay, and the nickel enclosed gear tuners, exclusive to Martin, ensure stable tuning. This blend of classic craftsmanship and modern playability makes the D-28 Billy Strings a fitting tribute to both Billy's reverence for traditional bluegrass and his genre-defying style. Each guitar features a custom paper label with his pre-printed signature and graphic.

Features:

- Billy Strings and Martin collaborative Signature Acoustic
- Genuine Mahogany Neck with Ebony Fingerboard
- 25" Scale with Modified Low Oval Neck Shape
- Spruce Top with East Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
- Diamond & Squares Long Inlay
- Forward Shifted GE-Scalloped X Bracing pattern
- Hardshell Case Included

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

- Body Size: D-14 Fret
- Top Material: Spruce
- Bracing Pattern:Forward Shifted X-Brace
- Brace Shape:GE- Scalloped
- Back Material: East Indian Rosewood
- Side Material: East Indian Rosewood
- Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
- Fingerboard Material: Ebony
- Scale Length: 25"
- Number of Frets Total: 20
- Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 23/32"
- Fingerboard Inlay Style: Diamond & Squares Long
- Back and Side Finish: Gloss
- Finish Top: Gloss
- Top Color: Antique Toner
- Finish Neck: Satin
- Bridge Material: Ebony
- Saddle: Compensated Bone
- Tuning Machines: Nickel Enclosed Gear
- Pickguard: Faux Tortoise
- Case: Hardshell
- Recommended Strings: Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 - Light MA540T

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Base Item

Shipping Weight: 19.75 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 48 x 20 x 9 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 10D28BILLYSTRINGS

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 610-759-2837
Web: https://www.martinguitar.com/contact-us

Reviews

(1 ratings)

Submitted April 27, 2026 by Shawn Caudill in Lexington, KY

"This guitar changed my mind after 30 years of playing"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

don’t write reviews, but this one deserves it.I spent about two months researching and playing just about everything I could get my hands on—Taylor 814, 914, 614, Martin D-35, D-45, and standard D-28s. I kept coming back to the D-28 platform, but I wanted something that truly stood out.What made me pull the trigger on this specific one was the weight. Most of the units I saw were around 4 lb 7–9 oz. This one was 4 lb 3 oz, which is a noticeable difference on an acoustic. I figured it was an outlier and took a chance on it.When it arrived, it buzzed a bit—but after getting the humidity right, it completely opened up. And I mean completely.I’ve been playing for 30 years and I almost never use light gauge strings. I always assumed mediums were the way to get the best tone out of a dreadnought. Not anymore.This guitar with light gauge Martin MA140 80/20 strings sounds as good or better than mediums ever have on any acoustic I’ve owned. The bass is still strong but more controlled, and the mids and highs are incredibly clear and articulate.I even took it to a tech who’s been working on instruments for 50 years. After playing it, he thought it had medium strings on it and actually grabbed calipers to check. Then he told me not to change a thing.That told me everything I needed to know.This isn’t just a great guitar—it’s the best one I’ve ever played. It feels alive, it responds instantly, and it makes you want to keep playing.If you’re on the fence, my advice… read more is this: pay attention to the individual guitar, not just the model. This one proved that a few ounces and the right setup can make all the difference.I couldn’t be happier with it.

Musical Background:
Musician

Musical Style:
All of it

3 of 3 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?