Martin D-28

Video Story Such an iconic guitar, it's really as made famous by 100s of guitar gods. But Jimmy Page gets the laurels here. A D-28, "Going To California", and Led Zeppelin's 5-date run at Earl's Court in 1975. Legendary! First produced under the Martin brand in 1931, D-model guitars were not an instant hit. Far from it. Guitarists of the day were used to smaller builds and didn't take to these big-bodied beauties. Sales were slow. Until that is, Martin had their eureka moment. "Let's make a virtue of the big bass response, and advertise it as a bass guitar". Not the bass guitar we know today, but something that could fill in the bass range of a country music group, instead of the more traditional (and heavy and bulky) double bass. First nail in the coffin from Martin, second and deeper nail from Fender in 1951 with the launch of the Precision Bass. The marketing strategy worked, and sales built rapidly. It may have been country music that launched the love for the D-models, but if you want to go global, make sure your D-28's there at the birth of Rock N Roll, in the hands of The King (or at least soon-to-be-king). That first Elvis Presley album, fluorescent print, black & white live shot, Martin D-28 in hand. The inspiration for generations of musicians to follow. Whatever the provenance, this D-28 has earned its place among the iconic line-up of Martin's most famous guitars. Big on tone, with cracking bass response, this is a truly fabulous guitar to play. Needs to be seen, played and heard to be believed - no trip to California required.