The actual kit that went around the world in the World in Six Strings footage. Sixteen months, twelve locations, about $900 all in.
The D-18 and D-28 from Martin are both incredible instruments, but which is best for you? In short: if you want a crisp, clear, balanced dreadnought that sits well with a voice and other instruments, and you would rather keep a few hundred dollars in your pocket, the D-18 is the one. If you want the deeper, richer low end that made the D-28 the sound of American roots music, and the extra money is not a stretch, the D-28 is the one.
If you're considering purchasing one of the best acoustic guitars on the market, a Martin, there are many options to look at. Two of the most iconic models in Martin's lineup are the D-18 and the D-28, and if you're wondering what the differences are between these two, you've come to the right place.
The truth is, they're very similar guitars, but with a few small (but crucial) features that set them apart.
If you're trying to figure out how to find the best acoustic guitar for your needs, either of these guitars is a great option, but the D-28 is also going to cost you a little more than the D-18. On the current Standard Series, both guitars carry forward-shifted, Golden Era scalloped X-bracing, one of the most important features of an acoustic's tone apart from the wood used, so bracing is no longer a difference between them.
So how do you decide which one is best for you? In this article, we'll look at both guitars in depth, including their pros and cons. We'll start by looking at the main differences first.
After nearly a century at the helm, and as the quintessential workhorse of music legends like Hank Williams, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and so many more, Martin's legendary D-28 has been lovingly and artfully enhanced.
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The main differences between the Martin D-18 and the D-28 are:
Both guitars are of a very similar shape and style, with plenty of the classic features you'd expect from a Martin, but the slimmed-down, GE modified low oval neck will make playing for long periods a little more comfortable than their retro counterparts.
The main thing to focus on in terms of differences in these guitars is in the wood used and thus the sound. The D-18's tone is more bright and crisp, whereas the D-28 has a deeper tone, with more low end.
The other main consideration is the price difference. They're both pretty pricey guitars (which is fairly standard for most Martin guitars), but the D-28 is going to set you back an extra few hundred dollars depending on where you buy it from.
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Here are the key specs for the Martin D-18 and the D-28:
| Martin D-18 | Martin D-28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Body shape | Dreadnought | Dreadnought |
| Body material | Solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides | Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides |
| Bracing | Forward-shifted X, Golden Era scalloped | Forward-shifted X, Golden Era scalloped |
| Neck | Select hardwood, 25.4-inch scale, 1 3/4-inch nut, GE modified low oval profile | Select hardwood, 25.4-inch scale, 1 3/4-inch nut, GE modified low oval profile |
| Fingerboard | Ebony, 20 frets, Old Style 18 dot inlays | Ebony, 20 frets, Style 28 pearl dot inlays |
| Binding | None | Antique white |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Martin list price (October 2026) | $2,999.99 | $3,499.99 |
Both the D-18 and D-28 are a joy to play. I've sadly never owned either one of these, but I've played a couple, and they are as comfortable as they are loud. Specifically, I played a rather old D-28, and while it was comfortable, the new modern neck I tried on a newer D-18 is far more comfortable to play.
I have a friend who owned a 60's Martin (now sold), and it sounded just how you'd expect: incredible. But, while playing basic open chords was perfect, playing any kind of faster rhythm parts or lead was a bit hard on my hands. It was set up as well as it could have been, but it was not an easy guitar to play.
The newer, updated neck profiles have certainly changed this a lot, and make the guitar suitable for a much bigger range of playing styles.
Here are the main features of both the Martin D-18 and the D-28:
The D-18 is a timeless, classic guitar, well loved by acoustic players for decades, and for good reasons. Martin's first dreadnoughts under its own name arrived in the early 1930s, and the D-18 is now known as one of the best steel-string acoustic guitars ever made. The D-18 is an icon, no doubt.
There have been many attempted copies over the years, some better than others, but the D-18 can't really be beaten in terms of quality, sound, and performance.
It's a timeless instrument etched into the fabric of folk and country music, and it makes a beautiful accompaniment for a vocalist. Of course, with excellent build quality and high-end wood choices comes a high price tag, but this is to be expected, especially when it comes to a Martin. With that said, when looked after, this is potentially a generational guitar.
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Key features:
Now, the Martin D-28 has its own iconic history, arguably far more famous than the D-18, and the first guitar anyone would think of when a Martin is mentioned. It's the definitive guitar when it comes to American roots music. Where the D-18 is a classic, the D-28 is an icon. Without purchasing a genuinely handmade instrument, this is arguably the best acoustic guitar you can buy.
Used by the likes of some of the best songwriters on the planet such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and more, the D-28 has been well loved by some incredible musicians over the years, which in itself makes it such a sought-after, and popular, guitar for acoustic players.
The latest version of the Martin D-28 has been given a modern update, keeping some of the iconic vintage touches but with a newer neck profile to make it a little more comfortable to play.
Key features:
Both the D-18 and D-28 have a classic dreadnought shape. Developed by C.F. Martin & Company for the Oliver Ditson Company in 1916, the first guitar using this shape didn't take off initially. Once C.F. Martin started producing guitars under their own name, the shape started to take off, proving very popular for folk musicians.
Dreadnought guitars (otherwise known as D-shape guitars, or "dreads") are large, quite a bit larger than your standard C-shape or OM acoustic guitar, which means that younger or smaller players may struggle with it. But the size provides a much richer and louder tone than smaller-bodied guitars like an OM.
Since these guitars have the same neck profiles, let's take a look at them both together.
With the new modified low oval neck, the playability is unmatched compared with other dreadnoughts of similar spec. The guitars feature a satin-finished "Modified Low Oval" neck profile with a Golden Era (GE) feel and a "high-performance taper". This is marketing speak for, in simple terms, "super comfortable". In essence, the guitars feel slimmer, lighter, and more agile in the hand than traditional, vintage acoustic necks.
The necks on both have a 25.4-inch scale length with a 1 3/4-inch nut, making it just chunky enough for digging into chords, but also slim and quick enough for bluegrass picking and lead playing. The scale length gives enough tension to feel rigid, snappy, and playable, but not so much that it's difficult to play.
Both also feature an ebony fingerboard, some of the best wood out there for a fingerboard. The D-18 wears Martin's plain Old Style 18 dot markers, while the D-28 gets the Style 28 pearl dots and white body binding; the "18" and "28" are Martin style numbers, not a count of anything. The fingerboard also features a slightly beveled edge to aid in playability and comfort, and makes sliding your hand up and down the fretboard a great experience.
The sound produced by the large dreadnought body of the D-18 is rich, full, and crisp. It is balanced, largely free of overtones, making each string clear and easy to hear, and so almost nothing gets lost while strumming or picking. It has a classic, timeless tone thanks to the mahogany body and the scalloped bracing, which gives it more volume than guitars with straight braces.
It has a clear midrange bump with an excellent bottom end, which we've all come to expect from Martin, but it doesn't sound too echoey or muddy while strumming.
In fact, while it's an excellent strumming guitar, it works really well for fingerpicking thanks to the neck dimensions. It has a beautifully even, crisp tone, and so it works well with other instruments and vocals but sounds incredible on its own too.
There's a reason why the D-28 is so beloved, and has been for many decades by some of the best players in the world. Like the D-18, every note is bright, clear, and well balanced. The bass is rich and deep, but doesn't muddy up the sound overall, even when strumming. It rings clearly and produces a rich sound that is ideal for all sorts of situations. The D-28 won't overshadow vocals or other instruments but won't get lost in the mix either.
It's pretty playable too thanks to the updated neck profile. There's a little more room for your fingers on the fretboard compared to the original D-28s.
The sound can be summed up in a word: iconic.
The D-18 is definitely a reliable guitar and for the price tag, you'd expect it to last a long time. And it does. This guitar, if well looked after, could be a family heirloom that lasts many decades. All the wood on the back and sides is solid, not laminated like cheaper guitars.
Not only that, but the wood used is some of the best available, and the guitar even comes with a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects. Just like the D-18, the D-28 is very reliable. Made with incredible wood and quality materials, this is a guitar to last a lifetime.
Martin makes some of the best acoustic guitars in the world, and when purchasing one at this price point, you can expect great quality guitars that are exceedingly reliable.
There are a few options when it comes to the D-18. You can also buy a version with a built-in pickup, the D-18E, as well as the D-18 Modern Deluxe. These are, of course, a little pricier than the standard D-18, but it depends on what you're looking for. The standard D-18 is an incredible instrument.
The Martin D-18 Standard has a sleek, modern High Performance Neck for enhanced playability. It features a solid Sitka spruce top for well-balanced tone. The use of solid mahogany for the back and sides further adds to this dreadnought's precise, clear treble and a warm, moderate bass.
Like the D-18, there are a few options for upgrading your D-28. There's the D-28 with the "Ambertone" finish, which is built with beautiful Indian rosewood, the D-28 Modern Deluxe, and the D-28E electro-acoustic. These vary in price depending on the specs.
Like the D-18, you can get a range of accessories for the D-28: a good strap, a decent case, and a wall hanging kit could be just what you're looking for. The String Swing Guitar Hanger and Wall Mount is awesome and will hold your D-28 or D-18 securely on the wall.
After nearly a century at the helm, and as the quintessential workhorse of music legends like Hank Williams, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and so many more, Martin's legendary D-28 has been lovingly and artfully enhanced.
Here are the pros and (few) cons of the D-18 and the D-28:
Martin has a massive lineup and catalogue of guitars, and there are some other variants of the D-18 and D-28 worth considering. Some are really expensive, elite-level options, while others are perfectly suited to those with a lower budget.
For example, the HD-28 is simply a Martin D-28, but with herringbone detailing in the top trim and purfling, plus abalone diamond and square fingerboard inlays (the "H" in HD simply stands for herringbone).
For the D-18, there are a few other options, including the Modern Deluxe that features a torrefied European spruce top, Adirondack bracing, a carbon-fiber bridge plate and the Vintage Deluxe neck. Torrefied means the guitar features a top that has been artificially aged through a high-temperature, oxygen-free baking process. This gives it that "aged" sound right out of the box.
Then there are the D-18 and D-28 "Authentics" from the Custom Shop, which are hand-made, hide-glue builds that use museum-grade scanning to replicate the highly sought-after pre-war Martin acoustics. These are about as good as it gets when it comes to new Martin acoustics.
For those on a bit of a budget, there's Martin's X Series guitars. These are still high-quality Martin instruments, but with HPL (high pressure laminate) backs and sides. You can pick up a dreadnought, the D-X2E, a similar size to the guitars discussed in this article, for only $600 to $750 depending on the retailer and variation.
I've played and worked on many of these X Series instruments, and in terms of sound and feel, these guitars punch way above their weight. Plus, the HPL sides and back and laminate necks are made to last a lifetime. That said, the HPL does have a bit of a "plastic" feel to it.
| Model | Tier | What changes | Martin list |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD-28 | Standard | D-28 with herringbone top trim and zig-zag back purfling; forward-shifted GE scalloped X, 5/16" braces; same neck, 25.4" / 1 3/4" | $3,699.99 |
| D-35 | Standard | Three-piece rosewood back; forward-shifted X but GE non-scalloped 1/4" braces (lighter bracing, the D-35's looser, bass-heavy voice) | $3,699.99 |
| D-18 Modern Deluxe | Modern Deluxe | Torrefied (VTS) European spruce top, Adirondack VTS braces, carbon-fiber bridge plate, Vintage Deluxe neck, gloss | $3,899.99 |
| D-28 Modern Deluxe | Modern Deluxe | Same recipe on the rosewood guitar | $4,599.99 |
| D-18 Authentic 1939 / D-28 Authentic 1937 | Custom Shop Authentic | Period-correct hide-glue builds, Adirondack VTS tops, aged options | $6,000 to $10,000 at dealers |
| D-15M | 15 Series | All-mahogany, satin; the budget route to the D-18 side of the sound | About $1,800 street |
| D-X2E | X Series | HPL back and sides, spruce top, electronics; the entry dreadnought | $600 to $750 street |
If you want to look at different options, here are a few great alternatives to choose from:
The Taylor 110e Dreadnought is a similar guitar to both the D-18 and D-28, with the classic dreadnought shape. It's lightweight, durable, and comes in at a much lower price. Taylors are known for their reliability and amazing plugged-in tone. You can find out more about it in our Taylor 110e Review.
The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor’s patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. Because the pickup doesn't sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge, allowing all the nuance of the guitar's tone to come through clearly whether playing acoustically or plugged-in.
If you're still set on the idea of having a Martin guitar but you need an option with a pickup, the Martin DX1AE is a fantastic option. It is discontinued but still available in some stores. Read more about it in our Martin DX1AE Review. Otherwise, the Martin D-X1E is the replacement model, and also a fantastic option to own a Martin at a reasonable price.
The 6-string Martin DX1AE acoustic-electric guitar features a D-14 platform, a dreadnought body design producing big, round sound. Pairing the Sitka spruce top with the mahogany-pattern HPL back and sides, the Martin DX1AE belts out rich clarity and plenty of projection.
The Taylor Big Baby is a small, simple guitar that is more suited to beginners but still a formidable guitar for the price. Despite its lower price, it's still a Taylor, and still sounds and feels amazing. I've played many of these in my time working at a music store, and they're consistently great. Find out more in our Taylor Big Baby Review.
If money isn't the parimary concern, the Big Baby Acoustic is an EXCELLENT value for a premium fingerstyle guitar (around $600). A great pick for beginners and experienced players alike.
Answer: Most Martin dreadnought guitars are shipped with medium-gauge strings. The Martin Retro Acoustic Guitar Strings are ideal for either the D-18 or D-28 if you want a vintage feel. That said, any medium strings should do the job.
Answer: I don't think so, no. They're beloved guitars for a reason: the quality and sound of these instruments is unmatched. However, they're not the only great brand out there, especially when it comes to acoustics. With any classic guitar brand, you are paying for prestige and history as well as the actual guitar itself, and of course the name. Martin guitars have been used by some incredible guitarists over the years. But they're not overhyped, they're just well loved. They definitely cost more than many similar brands, so it's worth thinking about trying one first if you're hesitant to spend a lot of money, but they are certainly worth every penny.
Answer: There are several things you can do to help your guitar last longer, including blowing away any dust with a can of compressed air, removing dirt with a cloth after playing, conditioning your fretboard with lemon oil, giving it an occasional polish, and storing it properly: a good hard case, ideally with a humidifier, is a must.
You can find out more about these steps, and more, in our guide on How to Properly Maintain Your Acoustic Guitar to Build Lasting Love.
After nearly a century at the helm, and as the quintessential workhorse of music legends like Hank Williams, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and so many more, Martin's legendary D-28 has been lovingly and artfully enhanced.
This is almost impossible to say, because "better" is somewhat subjective in this case. It really depends on the kind of sound you're after. If you want a brighter, more crisp sound with a clear high end, go for the D-18. If you're after something rich and deep with a little more low end, it may be worth splashing out on the Martin D-28.
The price difference may be a factor though if you've got a tighter budget, in which case the D-18 is an excellent choice. Both guitars are incredible, so it's really down to personal choice. It's definitely worth looking at them and trying them in person if you can, so you can get a feel for what works best for you, especially considering the amount of money you're parting with.
Here's a quick idea of which to choose depending on how you play:
| You are a... | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Strummer | D-28 | The rich low end of the D-28 is unbeatable when it comes to strumming chords |
| Flatpicker | D-18 | The crisp midrange cuts through a band and keeps single notes clear |
| Fingerstyle player | D-18 | The same midrange clarity keeps every string separate under your fingers |
| Recording | D-18 | The balanced, overtone-light tone sits in a mix with less EQ; reach for the D-28 only when the guitar is the whole track |
| First serious acoustic | D-18 | Same neck, same build quality, a few hundred dollars less, and a sound you will not outgrow |
| Budget stretch | D-28 | If the extra money is there, the D-28's depth is what you are paying for; if it is not, the D-18 gives nothing up in playability |
The actual kit that went around the world in the World in Six Strings footage. Sixteen months, twelve locations, about $900 all in.
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