Martin - O'ahu HG-28 Dreadnought
Martin - O'ahu HG-28 Dreadnought
The Martin O'ahu HG-28 features an approachable body shape for the Martin line - a smaller sloped-shoulder body that's ideal for players who love the Dreadnought tone in a more comfortable size. Crafted with flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides and a solid spruce top, it produces a beautifully balanced sound. The satin-finished short-scale neck offers smooth playability, while the bold herringbone trim and antique white binding add some vintage charm, reminiscent of Martin’s early Hawaiian-style guitars.
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The Nantel Verdict
The Nantel Verdict
Full-bodied dreadnought voice with responsive action and reliable tuning stability
Light gauge strings let the bracing shine. Play daily - the top opens beautifully.
Martin has been defining what an acoustic guitar should sound like since 1833 - that's nearly 200 years of building wisdom refined into every brace, every joint, and every curve of wood in this instrument. The signature Martin voice - balanced, warm, and effortlessly authoritative - is immediately recognizable whether you hear it on a Nashville recording, a folk festival stage, or a living room couch. These guitars are built to last generations, and they reward that longevity by actually sounding better with age - the solid wood tops vibrate and mature over years of playing, developing a complexity and richness that new guitars simply cannot match. Owning a Martin isn't buying a guitar; it's beginning a musical relationship that deepens year after year.
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Martin O'ahu HG-28
Without the Hawaiian music craze of the 1920s and early ‘30s, it’s safe to say the modern-day steel-string acoustic guitar wouldn’t exist. That’s the link Chris Martin IV discovered while researching the history of Hawaiian music and its importance to the innovation and success of Martin Guitar. The guitars that were built to support that craze led to the “Golden Era” models we know and love today, like the iconic Dreadnought. Inspired by vintage models from the era, the new Martin O’ahu™ HG-28 is a tribute to that period – an approachable body shape for the Martin line made of solid flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides and a solid spruce top for a beautifully-balanced sound. Aside from its looks, anyone who picks up this guitar will instantly notice how comfortable it is. Like a new, old friend. Making its debut as part of the Martin O’ahu family of instruments, the Martin O'ahu HG-28 is best described as a smaller 14-fret sloped-shoulder Dreadnought with the depth of a 000, ideal for players who love the Dreadnought tone in a more comfortable size. The short-scale satin neck, with its Golden Era modified low oval profile, offers a smooth and comfortable playing experience. The Martin O’ahu HG-28 plays easily with low action and feels right at home in standard tuning or any one of several slack key open tunings such as open G, which is widely used in Hawaiian-style guitar music. Bold herringbone trim and antique white binding add a touch of vintage charm, reminiscent of Martin’s early Hawaiian-style guitars. With the Martin O’ahu HG-28, Martin is ready to make more music history – this time in your hands.
Overview |
|
| Recommended Strings | Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze - Light |
| Body Size | HG-14 Fret |
| Finish Top | Gloss |
| Construction | Dovetail Neck Joint |
| Back and Side Finish | Gloss |
| Bracing Pattern | X-Brace |
| Scale Length | 24.9" |
| Brace Shape | Scalloped |
| Fingerboard Width at Nut | 1 3/4'' |
| Top Material | Spruce |
| Neck Shape | GE Modified Low Oval |
| Back Material | Koa |
| Neck Taper | High-Performance Taper |
| Side Material | Koa |
| Electronics | None |
Top |
|
| Top Color | Clear |
| Bridge Style | Modern Straightline - Drop in Saddle |
| Binding | Antique White |
| Bridge String Spacing | 2 5/32" |
| Top Inlay Material | Bold Herringbone |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Top Detail | None |
| Bridge Pin Material | White Plastic |
| Pickguard | Tortoise Pattern |
| Bridge Pin Dots | Black Plastic |
| Pickguard Inlay | None |
| Saddle | Compensated Bone |
| Rosette | Style 28 Multi-Stripe |
| Saddle Radius | 16" |
Body |
|
| Brace Material | Spruce |
| Back and Sides Color | Natural |
| Brace Size | 1/4" |
| Back Detail | None |
| Back Purfling/Strip | None |
| Back Inlay Material | Multi-Stripe |
| Heelcap | Antique White |
| Side Detail | None |
| Endpiece | Antique White |
| Side Inlay Material | None |
| Endpiece Inlay | Multi-Stripe |
Neck |
|
| Neck Material | Select Hardwood |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Finish Neck | Satin |
| Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret | 2 1/8'' |
| Neck Color | Natural |
| Fingerboard Inlay Style | Old Style 18 |
| Number of Frets Total | 20 |
| Fingerboard Inlay Material | Abalone |
| Neck Joins Body At | 14th Fret |
| Fingerboard Binding Material | None |
| Side Dots | Yellow |
Headstock |
|
| Headstock Shape | Solid with Square Taper and Diamond |
| Tuning Machines | Nickel Open Gear |
| Headplate Material | Ebony |
| Knob | Butterbean |
| Headplate Logo Style | Martin O'ahu Script Overlay |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Headplate Binding Material | None |
Misc |
|
| Case | Softshell |
| Left Handed Availability | true |
| Label | Paper Label w/Model Name and Pre-Printed CFM IV Signature |
| Pleked | true |
Martin
AUTHORIZED DEALERAvailable in store & online — Nantel Musique
Martin is one of the most recognized names in musical instruments worldwide. Known for exceptional build quality, innovative design, and reliable performance across every price range, Martin instruments are trusted by beginners and touring professionals alike.
at nantel musique, we carry a curated selection of martin acoustic guitars — each one inspected, set up, and backed by our expert team. every purchase includes our satisfaction guarantee and dedicated after-sales support.

