For many years The Martin Guitar Co. had a Research and Development department, to make guitars in various woods and styles in order to test the efficacy of putting them into production. Whenever they wanted to compare the visual and tonal viabilities of a different wood during this era it would be done in the format of an HD-28 in order to make easy comparisons. Typically, there would have been only one example made. This particular stunning Martin, made with Brazilian imbuia back and sides, also has all the design features and dimensions of a standard Martin HD-28 with herringbone trim, scalloped top bracing, and all the other features. It has all the regular Martin markings as well: gold “CF Martin & Co” script peghead logo, “CF MARTIN & CO. NAZARETH, PA” stamped into the interior center back strip, and the Martin logo and "HD-28” stamped onto the neck block. Beneath that, where a serial number would normally be, it has “Imbuia” stamped in. Imbuia is a gorgeous Brazilian hardwood with beautiful tonal properties and I’d have to say that after having been a Martin dealer for over fifty years and having sold countless numbers of brand-new HD-28’s (one of my favorites), this one sounds like no other I have ever seen. The tones are big and bold, and in addition to the famous Martin Dreadnaught's big, clear bass notes it has an unusually strong midrange and warm highs. Martin guitars made from this very special wood were not put into production due to its cost and scarce availability.

This particular R&D Martin came available at a point where Martin was overflowing with prototypes and CF Martin IV, head of the company, decided to sponsor a Christie’s auction to raise money for The Martin Charitable Foundation.There may have been as many as fifty instruments donated, but probably only one like this. It came to me from the person who bought it at auction, put it away, and did not play it. It is in the same condition as when Martin presented it at auction and sill has its original set of Martin .012-.053 strings on it, set up with standard Martin action. This is a most unusual opportunity to own a unique, very special Martin guitar, made by the best of the best. $3995 w/ohsc