Martin Custom D-28 Cocobolo
On Truetone Music’s trip to the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, we sought to design a set of unique guitars, representing different body shapes, appointments and tonewoods. We knew we'd be doing a a D-28. However, while meeting with the Custom Shop crew and wood gurus there, we realized we couldn't narrow it down, and that two was better than one! For the first, we stayed traditional. For the second, we shifted to something more exotic - the result was this amazing Custom Shop D-28 in Cocobolo.
Selecting the sets of Cocobolo for this guitar was the most challenging part of our day. Each set the specialists pulled out for us was completely different in pattern, color and consistency....and each set was more spectacular than the last! We moved the D-28 clear outline mold over countless sets until we settled on what would come to adorn the back and sides of this beauty.
Cocobolo is a true rosewood, not a relative species. It is found in Mexico and Central American tropical areas. As far as looks, it’s the top of the top, only rivaled by the fabled Brazilian rosewood. The spectacular swirls and dark curves make Cocobolo highly sought after for decorative wood working, but it has also been long used by guitars makers.
Sonically, Cocobolo has been compared to Koa, another tropical wood. It provides more treble on the high end like Koa, but has a deeper, warmer sound on the low end. It is typically not as overly boomy as some other rosewoods, and is extremely responsive to articulations, making it perfect for all types of playing, and equally articulate while strumming or fingerpicking.
We decided to match the spectacular Cocobolo with an Adirondack Spruce top, accenting the overtones, and adding volume which is a known trait. We worked with the wood expert in the Custom Shop to pick out the best piece of Adirondack Spruce on hand. The rich, balanced tone projecting out of this guitar is something to behold - the forward shifted X bracing creates a louder and more responsive instrument. It's one of the best sounding Martin guitars we've ever had here, and that's saying a lot.
To make matters even more interesting, we chose European flame maple for the binding and 3 ring bold Herringbone black maple fiber for the Rosette - perfect accents for a top-shelf instrument like this. The guitar is finished in gloss and has Aging Toner on the top, giving it a vintage vibe. As a final touch, we topped it off with a Cocobolo headplate to match the body - completed with the "Old Style Gold" Martin logo.
Diamonds and Squares (long) inlays on the black ebony fingerboard add a nice touch as well. The D-28’s satin neck has the Modified Low Oval shape and High Performance taper, making it a pleasure to play. It has a radius of 16” and a 1 3/4” nut width, and is equipped Schaller Grandtune tuning machines. It comes with a Martin hard shell case, as well as the certificate of authenticity.
Come to Truetone Music to experience this one-of-a-kind D-28 today, or order online here today.
Specifications Overview
CONSTRUCTION:
BACK & SIDE FINISH:
BRACING PATTERN:
X-Brace - Forward Shifted
SCALE LENGTH:
BRACE SHAPE:
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT:
TOP MATERIAL:
NECK SHAPE:
BACK MATERIAL:
NECK TAPER:
Top
TOP COLOR:
BRIDGE STYLE:
Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
BINDING:
BRIDGE STRING SPACING:
ROSETTE:
3 Ring Bold Herringbone Black Maple Fiber
Body
BACK PURFLING/STRIP:
BACK INLAY MATERIAL:
Neck
NECK MATERIAL:
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL:
FINISH NECK:
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET:
FINGERBOARD INLAY STYLE:
Diamonds and Squares Long Pattern
NUMBER OF FRETS TOTAL:
FINGERBOARD INLAY MATERIAL:
NECK JOINS BODY AT:
FINGERBOARD BINDING MATERIAL:
Headstock
HEADSTOCK SHAPE:
TUNING MACHINES:
Schaller Nickel GrandTune BB Btn
HEADPLATE MATERIAL:
KNOB:
HEADPLATE LOGO STYLE:
NUT MATERIAL:
HEADPLATE BINDING MATERIAL:
Misc