Martin HD-28 vs Martin D-41 

The guy playing is really good. I hope you tell him he made me smile!

I just saw this video AFTER I had already placed my order for an 18 year old D-41. I should get it this week. Yippee!

I sold my D28 after purchasing a D41. I noticed more clarity and much more volume. Both great guitars though! I would proudly own them both if I could afford too.

This was really useful. The differences are surprisingly clear. these guys would be great to share a beer with and jam.

Thank you for this. I'm shopping around to move from a Taylor Dreadnought back to Martin, and a D-41. (I owned a '94 model many years ago, and both a D-28 and HD-28 at other times - all Standard.) Until very recently I was unaware of the new 'Reimagined' guitars in the Standard 40 Series. This was a great video for me. Thanks again!

Lovely. Thanks for the time. I bought a D41 Amber this year and it is spectacularly different from the dozen or so D28's I've played IMO.

Great video guys, thank you 👍🙏🙏

A truly unbiased review. Thanks 🙏🏽...!!!!

Beautiful guitars and beautiful playing

That D-41 sounds as great as it looks! After owning several Martin dreads, I wound up with a D-41 about 10 years ago. Now I want the new version! (Mainly for the wider nut and and any other improvements in the reimagined version.) There are many theories about why 40 series Martins sound so great. Several guitar experts have suggested that the abalone actually plays a significant role. The different density of the abalone, the extra routing (to create a space for the abalone) removes more of the top wood, etc. And probably, as the hosts suggest, there is also really a difference caused by the higher grade of wood -- it stands to reason that Martin would know which slabs of spruce are going to have the best sonic qualities and would save those pieces for the 40 series guitars. Many thanks to the hosts for creating such a good comparison video!!

All this time I thought the HD28 was the best of the Martin line. Then today I discovered the D41 and am BLOWN away by how good it sounds. I would pick that over the HD 28 w/o question.

James is an absolute BEAST!!!

The HD28 isn't "dull". Its deep resonance due to forward scalloped X bracing is legendary.

Tell James he has a really great playing touch. Very sympathetic to the guitars...

Love the 40 series but it’s something about how the hd28 just kinda punches you with the bass

James in your opinion... what are the best strings on the D18 for soft strumming and just picking. I know you can't read but let me know via your friend on the right...

Both guitars sounded great but for me I liked the D41 for the same reasons the player did.

It was a fair comparison. To me it really depends on what type music I play and can I afford the difference in price. The d-41 was out of my price range. I would definitely choose it over my hd-28 any day but would have to keep my hd-28 also.

A good comparison. I have owned each of these guitars in the past, but these two certainly sound different. They have lighter, more articulate clarity from what I remember, almost as a nod towards a modern Taylor sound but with more bass. To my memory these guitars demo'd in your comparison sound a lot better. Perhaps this is due to the reimagined upgrade and that they are brand new. Both top notch classy Martin dreadnoughts, great to hear them being played side by side and proving Martin can still give everyone a run for their money.

Great video. Maybe I should have listened with my eyes closed too, because I think the D-41 has a little more depth to its tone. I suppose this could be due to wood selection and maybe some extra TLC that the D-41 gets. I would imagine that after a year, it might level out. Usually the wood grade is just based on cosmetics. And I suppose two HD-28s could sound just as different from each other.

I have a 1992 version of the HD28, and I can tell you that it sounds and plays quite differently than it did when new. It has matured beautifully. It seems to have become tighter tonally over time. Still has that great bass response. I haven’t played a new 41, but have always enjoyed playing the older ones that my friends owned. Price wise…….hmmmm……..perhaps I’ll have a 41 in heaven…..🤨😉🤭

Thought 'xactly the same as the tester - before hearing his verdict. Guess most people would hear it that way. Those HD-28s - earlier called HD-28V - are great, but can be a little muchy. If the bling compensates for that is uncertain, but maybe a combination of woods (as you say) and abelone. Could also be a coincidence couldn't it.I had 2 HD-28Vs (2000 and 2005) - highly different. Keep the mill runnin'. .

D41 vs D42 ?

That's funny because I heard the exact opposite of what he said. Maury's music has a review comparing the two as well and the HD 28 sounds much clearer. (I closed my eyes on that one)

I’ll take a D 42 thank you

I think anyone who prefers a D-28 or HD-28 to a D-41 is deaf, but that is not my problem. I also prefer the D-42 to a D-45, and that isn't a rare opinion. But why do we never get comparisons between the D-41 and D-42? That is what I'm trying to decide, and I've never been in a guitar store that keeps both in stock. I think the D-42 might be the more desirable guitar, but a few online comparisons would help. Cost aside, I suspect that the D-42 might be the Martin I'd most love, but I'd really, really like to hear them side by side to make sure.

I think at least some of you will always choose the "flashier" guitar right away and assume it's better. lol In person, these guitars sound nearly identical. With that said, each acoustic has it's own voice. Some good, some great, some...not so good.

I wish the D41 came. With Lr baggs pick up now it feels like I want to trade my My Hd28 E for the D41

"You don't know which one you're holding at the moment." Uh...he looked down. He knows. lol

an hd 28 is a poor mans d 41! and I love them both! there really is a difference in tone and sound...if you have the bread...get the 41!!

Wouldn’t a blind man, whose touch sensitivity allows him to read Braille, be able to detect the difference in inlays?

Speaking to the blind guy he says "looking at the braces"......then "look at the specs" I know it wasn't on purpose, just odd and a little strange....I wish James had said "I see what you mean"....but that is my sense of humor.

HD 28 all day long

Definately the wood not the bling !!

I’ve found D41 plays much better.

1:34, 3:28

I love how he's trying to hold his accent back!

Should be better with a guitar player. This is not.

HD28 was better