D-50 vs D-28

[Brad Little]

I had the chance today to A/B my D-50 with a 1997 Madagascar RW D-28 at our monthly folk jam. No contest, D-50 blew it away. Both could have used a string change, I know mine does. The D-28 did have lighter strings, .011s, mine has either .012s or .013s. Still, I think the D-50 was better playing and sounding.
Brad

 

[twocorgis]

I had the chance today to A/B my D-50 with a 1997 Madagascar RW D-28 at our monthly folk jam. No contest, D-50 blew it away. Both could have used a string change, I know mine does. The D-28 did have lighter strings, .011s, mine has either .012s or .013s. Still, I think the D-50 was better playing and sounding.
Brad

I've always liked the D-50 better than the D-28, and have since 1974. A lot of it is a matter of preferences, but my luthier told me that of the major three acoustics in the '70s (Guild, Gibson, and Martin) that the Guilds were the best. He mentioned quality control problems that Martin in particular had in that era. I've never particularly liked Gibson acoustics, and a lot of the gee-gaws they hang on some of them are hideous.

He's preaching to the choir with me. :lol:

 

[Ian]

....And alternately, although I really like the sound of D28's, I tend to think of them as a fingerstyle guitar, and have never seriously considered buying one. Gibson J45's Sunburst with the slope shoulders, yes please !!!

It should be noted however that I bought my D55, but the Gibson is still hanging on the wall in the Guitar shop (it should also be noted that Gibsons are very expensive in NZ...).

 

[chazmo]

Hmm.... I have to admit, the standard D-28 model is not my favorite, but try an HD-28 some time and let me know what you think guys.

 

[dapmdave]

....And alternately, although I really like the sound of D28's, I tend to think of them as a fingerstyle guitar, and have never seriously considered buying one. Gibson J45's Sunburst with the slope shoulders, yes please !!!

It should be noted however that I bought my D55, but the Gibson is still hanging on the wall in the Guitar shop (it should also be noted that Gibsons are very expensive in NZ...).

I think the D-28 is kind of acquired taste. It's not my favorite either, but I think it's considered a strong flatpicker among bluegrass players. I kind of like the D-35 better, personally.

Opinions are like belly-buttons. Everybody's got one! :lol:

Dave

 

[guitarslinger]

I've been fortunate enough over the years to own some very nice dreadnaughts both Martin and Guild. I always wanted to love the Martins. I always really loved the Guilds.

 

[6L6]

I would certainly pick a good Guild D-50 over a good Martin D-28 every time. But then, I'd be buying an HD-28 if I wanted a Martin 28 model and that's a different story.

I wouldn't prefer an HD-28 over a good Guild D-50. But, as they are really different animals, I'd like to own BOTH.

6

'77 D-50
'74 D-40
'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'98 Martin D-45V
'09 Martin D-35 Custom
'98 Collings D-1
'03 Taylor 214

 

[killdeer43]

I've owned a D-28 and a D-18, and I don't think either sounded as good as my D-50, and couldn't come close to my D-25, either.

Of course, there's also the possibility that I play better now than I did when I had the Martins. I certainily hope so anyway! :wink:

Joe

 

[taabru45]

There have been just a few Martins that I've really liked. About 5 years ago I played a new D35 at a music store. It had one of the nicest sounds I've heard in any guitar, Something over 3 grand, and I was still in the corner of my mind trying to find a way, thankfully, it got moved to one of the other stores, Gorgeous guitar in every way, BUT.....the guitar I'd really like to have back is the 64- or 65 braz. D50, that I very foolishly sold......oh, the folly of youth... :roll: Steffan

 

[jgwoods]

I rather doubt that a 1997 D-28 was made with Madagascar Rosewood. Madagascar wood was protected by government environmental regulations until corruption allowed deforestation in the last 3-4 years and the rosewood suddenly appeared on high end instruments from Gibson, Martin and surely others who purchased it through legitimate channels.
Then again it doesn't matter much, it's not a magically superior wood that makes guitars the best this side of heaven, Neither is Brazilian RW for that matter.

Nonetheless you make an interesting comparison. I always wanted to try the D50 and D28 side by side. I suppose the best comparable specs would be for both to have scalloped braces and the same strings so a well set up HD28 and a D50 would make for an interesting day of picking.

While we're at it I wish we could line up a D18V and a D40 too.

Guild is the sure winner in the price war, and likely a matter of taste as to which one is "better". It's hard not to like the Guilds...I wonder why so many buy Martins when the Guild is always the better bang for your buck. Maybe it's just that they prefer to buy from a company that's been around since 1833 rather than 1953?

 

[killdeer43]

Also, and always something to consider when doing an A/B, the idea of one sounding "better" is relative and in the ears of the A/B'er.
Seems like that thought has a familiar ring to it....but maybe it's just familiar to my ears. :wink:

Joe

 

[dogberry]

I've always liked the D-50 better than the D-28, and have since 1974. A lot of it is a matter of preferences, but my luthier told me that of the major three acoustics in the '70s (Guild, Gibson, and Martin) that the Guilds were the best. He mentioned quality control problems that Martin in particular had in that era. I've never particularly liked Gibson acoustics, and a lot of the gee-gaws they hang on some of them are hideous.

He's preaching to the choir with me. :lol:

His comment on Martin and quality control in the 70's is interesting. I was talking with a guy last week who works at a store that specializes in used American guitars, they see about 5,000 guitars a year (boy, would i like that job). Anyway, in talking about Guilds, he said he doesn't think Guild ever had an "off" period. He feels both Gibson and Martin had problems in the 70's, but he's rarely seen a vintage Guild that wasn't up to par. See, we knew it all along, and now we have independent verification!

 

[taabru45]

Talking to my luthier the other day...at one point i had to have the bridge moved slightly towards the bottom to correct an intonation dissatisfaction I had, maybe around 3/32 inch on my '77... He said 'that's not bad, I've had to work on Martins where the bridge was 1/4 of an inch out, and had to make a new wider bridge to cover the area' I was surprised and he said it all depended on how stoned they were at the factory that day....well, Maybe a bit of wine in Pepsi bottles on Fridays, which is what we've heard from some former Guild employees here, was a better Idea, and maybe later in the day....I was kind of surprised by his comments, but .....there were a lot of stoned employees in the 70s....right Cheech? :lol: :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[JimbowF212]

I have played a few Guild D-50's in stores and I have played several D28's in stores and that belonged to other people, including my Father in Law's and you have seen pics of my dad's 66 D-28. First of all let me say that I would consider anything made by either Martin or Guild to be Superior to anything made by any of the other mass producers. These two companies, IMHO, take much more pride in what they let out to the public, HPL Martins being the exception, then the others do. I also feel that these two companies still use the Dove tail neck joint in their higher end instruments and I feel this gives superior tone from the guitar. I like the tone I have heard from most if not All of the D-50's I have played, and being honest I have heard some D-28's that are just plain AWFUL and I would not even consider shelling out the money they ask for them but, All the D-50s and D28s I have played are as I said Superior to ANYTHING else. I feel that they are of comparable quality and that the only real difference is who made them and their individual tone and both of those things are personal preference. Once again JMHO FWIW. I must however completely disagree with the statement that Braz RW does not give better tone then EIR at least to my ears. I do also prefer the tone of a D-35 though. :mrgreen:

 

[jgwoods]

"... I must however completely disagree with the statement that Braz RW does not give better tone then EIR at least to my ears. I do also prefer the tone of a D-35 though. :mrgreen:[/quote]

I have no quarrel with those who love Braz Rosewood for the right reasons- tone. Too many people want it because it is rare/restricted and they believe it makes a better investment. They want to brag about their guitar more than play it. For my own very average skills I can be totally pleased with a guitar made of more available/sustainable wood and leave the rare stuff for the best players.
I did own a 60s Braz D28 that I bought new for $300. Sold it to make the mortgage years later and got $1500 for it, covering several months of house payments at the time. You might say I like Braz too...

 

[twocorgis]

His comment on Martin and quality control in the 70's is interesting. I was talking with a guy last week who works at a store that specializes in used American guitars, they see about 5,000 guitars a year (boy, would i like that job). Anyway, in talking about Guilds, he said he doesn't think Guild ever had an "off" period. He feels both Gibson and Martin had problems in the 70's, but he's rarely seen a vintage Guild that wasn't up to par. See, we knew it all along, and now we have independent verification!

While it's not exactly empirical evidence, my luthier has owned three '70s Martins (two of which he took as trades) and had "significant problems" (his words, and he didn't elaborate) with all three of them. He's a man of few words, but told me that he'd never have another one from that era, or a Gibson either. Makes me feel good, because as you can tell from my sig I LOVE '70s Guilds.

 

[Brad Little]

I rather doubt that a 1997 D-28 was made with Madagascar Rosewood.
While we're at it I wish we could line up a D18V and a D40 too.

I wonder why so many buy Martins when the Guild is always the better bang for your buck. Maybe it's just that they prefer to buy from a company that's been around since 1833 rather than 1953?

It's owner said he was told it was Madagascar Rosewood, who knows? As to so many spending so much more on Martins, I think it is almost a Yuppie thing, like getting a Beamer or Mercedes because they can afford it. Who in heck needs a Hummer, for example? Certainly not the people I see riding around my neck of the woods, or rather urban environment.
Brad

 

[adorshki]

Guild is the sure winner in the price war, and likely a matter of taste as to which one is "better". It's hard not to like the Guilds...I wonder why so many buy Martins when the Guild is always the better bang for your buck. Maybe it's just that they prefer to buy from a company that's been around since 1833 rather than 1953?

It just occurred to me that part of the problem may simply be availability. Guild has poor availability here in what should be a major market for them. They've been kicked back and forth between the two single largest volume outlets, and neither one stocked them in great depth compared to the Martins and Gibsons and especially Fenders and Epiphones on the wall. SO if they never have a chance to be exposed to the brand, can you blame them? Just trying look deeper into the issue. I'd say better than 80% of potential first time buyers recognize Fender/Martin/Gibson/Ovation but not Guild. They'd need to be educated. I'd hazard a guess that only dedicated players know the brand. Maybe in the long run that's still a good thing for us devotees. Sure it might be hard for me to find new samples to play but the counterpoint is I can hope they still have the kind of soul I discovered my D25 had because production was relatively small volume compared to "the other guys"

 

[bluepen]

I am biased since I have a Tacoma D-50, and everyone has similar stories, but my buddy with a HD-28 LOVES my D-50.

My question, perhaps better targeted to another forum, is what is the difference between a HD-28 and a D-28 (other than that delicious herringbone border)?

 

[FNG]

I am biased since I have a Tacoma D-50, and everyone has similar stories, but my buddy with a HD-28 LOVES my D-50.

My question, perhaps better targeted to another forum, is what is the difference between a HD-28 and a D-28 (other than that delicious herringbone border)?

I think the bracing is scalloped on the HD, and shifted a little more forward.