Martin Limited Edition HD-28 Semiquincentennial

There are instruments, and then there are artifacts. The Martin HD-28 Semiquincentennial exists in a category so rare, so freighted with historical meaning, that the Interstellar Tone Traveler had to pause before finding words worthy of it. This is not simply a limited edition guitar — it is a tangible piece of American history, built by a company that has been woven into the fabric of this nation for nearly two centuries, in celebration of 250 years of independence. At the heart of this instrument lies something extraordinary: wood from the Basking Ridge white oak, a 600-year-old tree that stood through the First Great Awakening, witnessed the Revolutionary War, and sheltered George Washington's troops as they drilled beneath its branches. Washington himself is said to have picnicked under that tree with the Marquis de Lafayette. That living witness to the birth of a nation now lives in your hands — in the white oak endpiece, heel cap, and Liberty Bell headplate inlay that crown this guitar with quiet, reverent authority.

Built on the iconic HD-28 platform — itself celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year — every specification has been chosen to honor the gravity of the moment. A reclaimed Sitka spruce top adorned with custom original artwork by Martin artist Robert Goetzl transforms the instrument's face into a canvas for American imagery, while bold herringbone top inlay, abalone Semiquincentennial Star Design fingerboard inlays, and a Script Old Style abalone headplate logo with Liberty Bell in white oak complete an aesthetic that is simultaneously historic and breathtaking. East Indian Rosewood back and sides, forward-shifted Golden Era scalloped X-bracing, a compensated bone saddle, bone bridge pins, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge deliver the full, resonant HD-28 voice that has inspired generations of players. Only 250 of these guitars will ever exist — one for each year of American independence. This is Martin at its most meaningful.

Top: Reclaimed Sitka Spruce 
Finish Top: Gloss
Top Color: Custom Ink Artwork Designed by Robert Goetzl
Top Inlay Material: Bold Herringbone
Top Detail: None
Binding: Antique White
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Style: GE Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/32"
Bridge Pin Material: Bone
Bridge Pin Dots: Faux Tortoise
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise 
Pickguard Inlay: None
Rosette: Style 28 Multi-Stripe
Saddle: Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius: 16"
Body Size: D-14 Fret
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint 
Back Material: East Indian Rosewood
Side Material: East Indian Rosewood 
Body Finish: Gloss
Back Purfling/Strip: Zig-Zag with Black Stripe
Back Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
Bracing Pattern: Forward-Shifted X-Brace
Brace Shape: GE-Scalloped
Brace Material: Spruce 
Brace SIze: 5/16"
Heel Cap: White Oak
Endpiece: White Oak
Endpiece Inlay: Multi-Stripe
Neck Shape: GE Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper: High-Performace Taper
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Neck Finish: Satin
Scale Length: 25.4"
Number of Frets: 20
Neck Joins Body: 14 Fret
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Inlay Style: Semiquincentennial Star Design
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone
Fingerboard Binding: None
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square and Taper and Diamond
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style: Script Old Style (Abalone) with Liberty Bell in White Oak
Headplate Binding Material: None
Headplate Detail: None
Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear
Knob: Butterbean
Nut Material: Bone
Case: Hardshell (Molded)