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Hawaiian Guitars: The Making of the Martin O'ahu HG-28play button

Hawaiian Guitars: The Making of the Martin O'ahu HG-28

collapse expand iconDescription

The Martin Oahu HG-28 Special-Edition acoustic guitar is a stunning homage to the Hawaiian music craze of the 1920s and 1930s. This guitar introduces an all-new, more approachable body size to the Martin lineup, offering a smaller 14-fret sloped-shoulder Dreadnought design with the depth of a 000. Ideal for players who love the power of a Dreadnought but seek a more comfortable size, the HG-28 provides a rich, balanced tone with articulate highs and warm lows. Built with solid flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides and a solid spruce top, this guitar delivers exceptional resonance and visual appeal.

Hawaiian Roots With Vintage Martin Craftsmanship
At the heart of the HG-28 is its solid flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides, paired with a solid spruce top. This combination of tonewoods provides the guitar with a warm, rich tone perfect for everything from intricate island melodies to bold strumming patterns. The scalloped spruce X-bracing enhances sustain and resonance, while the high-gloss finish highlights the natural beauty of the koa and spruce. The bold herringbone trim and antique white binding give this guitar a vintage aesthetic, reminiscent of Martin’s early Hawaiian-style guitars.

Comfortable Playability With Shorter Scale Length
Designed for ease of playability, the HG-28 features a satin-finished select hardwood neck with a Golden Era modified low oval profile and a high-performance taper. The shorter 24.9” scale length offers a more relaxed string feel, making it perfect for strumming, fingerpicking, and slack key open tunings like open G. With low action and an overall comfortable design, this guitar feels as though it’s been a lifelong companion, delivering exceptional tone and response.

Vintage Details and Modern Performance
The HG-28 boasts vintage-style appointments, including bold herringbone trim and Style 28 multi-stripe rosette, which give a nod to Martin’s historical craftsmanship. The Old Style 18 abalone fingerboard inlays and nickel open-gear tuners with butter bean knobs complete the guitar’s timeless look. Though inspired by the past, the HG-28 is equipped with modern construction techniques like the Plek’d setup for precise intonation and playability.

A Modern Homage to a Historic Era
Making its debut as part of the new Martin Oahu family of instruments, the HG-28 is not only a tribute to the Hawaiian music craze that shaped acoustic guitar history but also a testament to Martin's ongoing commitment to innovation. Whether you're performing traditional Hawaiian music, contemporary acoustic styles, or something in between, the HG-28 offers the perfect balance of vintage tone and modern performance.

Martin O'ahu HG-28 Special-Edition Acoustic Guitar Natural
Martin O'ahu HG-28 Special-Edition Acoustic Guitar Natural
Martin O'ahu HG-28 Special-Edition Acoustic Guitar Natural

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Solid flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides for a rich, warm tone
  • Smaller 14-fret sloped-shoulder Dreadnought design for a comfortable playing experience
  • Bold herringbone trim and antique white binding for vintage aesthetic
  • Satin-finished select hardwood neck with Golden Era modified low oval profile
  • 24.9" scale length for a relaxed string feel and excellent response

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body size: HG-14 Fret
  • Top wood: Solid spruce
  • Back and sides wood: Solid flamed Hawaiian koa
  • Finish: Gloss
  • Bracing pattern: X-brace
  • Bracing material: Spruce, scalloped, 1/4"
  • Top inlay material: Bold herringbone
  • Binding: Antique white
  • Rosette: Style 28 multi-stripe
Neck
  • Neck material: Select hardwood
  • Neck profile: GE modified low oval
  • Neck taper: High-performance taper
  • Scale length: 24.9"
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Nut width: 1.75" (44.45 mm)
  • Neck finish: Satin
  • Neck joins body at: 14th fret
Fingerboard
  • Fingerboard material: Ebony
  • Fingerboard inlay: Old Style 18 abalone
  • Fingerboard width at 12th fret: 2 1/8"
Hardware
  • Bridge: Modern straightline, drop-in saddle
  • Bridge material: Ebony
  • Saddle: Compensated bone
  • Bridge string spacing: 2 5/32"
  • Tuning machines: Nickel open gear, butter bean knobs
  • Pickguard: Faux tortoise
Other
  • Case: Softshell hemp
  • Orientation: Right handed
  • Strings: 6

collapse expand iconWarranty

One year warranty on Martin Backpackers, Little Martins and Ukuleles. Limited lifetime on other Martin guitars.

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