Martin's Standard Series Refresh: Forward to the Past!
For decades, Martin players have chased pre-war guitars. The legendary 1930s D-28s with their scalloped bracing, forward-shifted X-patterns, and that unmistakable bloom — the way a note swells and fills a room — that modern Martins couldn't quite replicate.
There's a reason for that. In the 1940s, Martin changed their construction. Heavier braces. Less scalloping. The X-brace shifted further back from the soundhole. The guitars were strong and reliable, but something was lost in the process. That openness, that dynamic response, that feeling of the guitar breathing under your hands — it got dialled back.
Players noticed. And for the last 80-odd years, anyone chasing that original Martin sound has had two options: find a genuine pre-war instrument (and pay $30,000–$60,000 for it), or settle for something that gets close but isn't quite there.
For the first time in seven years, Martin went back to the source.
The refreshed Standard Series lineup at Studio 1. Left to right: D-18, D-28, OM-28, HD-28, D-35.
What Martin actually changed
This isn't a cosmetic refresh or a marketing rebrand. Martin made real structural changes to how these guitars are built — changes that directly affect how they sound and feel. Until now, scalloped Golden Era bracing was reserved for the pricier V and Authentic models. The refresh brings it to the standard line for the first time.
Herringbone detail at the neck joint
Golden Era scalloped bracing. The internal braces are now hand-scalloped in the Golden Era pattern. Scalloping removes wood from the braces where it isn't structurally necessary, letting the soundboard flex and vibrate more freely. It's the same approach Martin used in the 1930s, and it's the single biggest reason pre-war guitars sound the way they do.
Forward-shifted X-brace. The main X-brace has been moved closer to the soundhole — back to where it sat in the pre-war era. This gives the lower bout of the top more room to move, which translates to better bass response, more projection, and longer sustain.
Lighter construction. These guitars are noticeably lighter than the outgoing models. Martin has reduced mass without sacrificing structural integrity. You feel it the moment you pick one up — and you hear it when you play. Less mass in the body means the top can do more work.
Vintage-spec appointments. The changes go beyond bracing. Martin added beveled-edge fingerboards, a vintage-style dovetail heel, the Modified Low Oval neck profile, a Golden Era belly bridge, and bone nut and saddle with ebony bridge pins. These are details you'd normally find on a Custom Shop order. Now they're standard.
The models we carry
Martin applied these construction changes across the Standard Series. We carry six of the refreshed models — including, for twelve-string fans, the HD12-28. All six are in the shop right now.
Martin D-18 (Refreshed)
Martin D-18 (Refreshed). Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, forward-shifted GE scalloped bracing.
Warm, woody, and balanced. The D-18 has always been the working musician's Martin — the guitar you grab when you want to play, not worry about value. The refreshed version keeps that honest character but adds real dynamic range. It responds to touch in a way the previous generation didn't. Play softly and it whispers. Dig in and it opens right up.
If you want the classic dreadnought sound without rosewood pricing, this is where to start. View the D-18 →
Martin D-28 (Refreshed)
Martin D-28 (Refreshed)
If there's a single guitar that defines Martin, it's the D-28. Sitka spruce over East Indian rosewood, forward-shifted bracing, and that unmistakable dreadnought voice that has shaped acoustic music for nearly a century.
The new version is the lightest D-28 we've held in the shop. The response is immediate — there's no lag between picking a note and hearing it fill the room. Big bass, clear trebles, and projection that carries. This is the closest a new Martin has come to the pre-war D-28 sound in a very long time.
Sitka spruce top · East Indian rosewood back and sides · Forward-shifted GE scalloped bracing · Gloss nitro finish. View the D-28 →
Martin HD-28 (Refreshed)
Martin HD-28 back. East Indian rosewood with herringbone backstrip.
The HD-28 has always been Martin's nod to the pre-war era — herringbone purfling, vintage appointments, the look of a 1930s instrument. With the refresh, it finally delivers the tone to match. The lighter build and GE scalloping add warmth and complexity that the standard D-28 doesn't quite reach.
Here's the interesting thing: now that both the D-28 and HD-28 share the same Golden Era scalloped bracing, the gap between them has narrowed. The HD-28's edge is subtler than before — it's in the herringbone trim, the slightly different voicing, and a warmth that rewards close listening. If you're choosing between the two, play them side by side. You'll know.
If you've always liked the idea of a pre-war Martin but want modern reliability, this is the one to try. View the HD-28 →
Martin D-35 (Refreshed)
Martin D-35 (Refreshed)
The D-35 has its own voice. The three-piece rosewood back gives it a slightly different resonance from the D-28 — a little more midrange warmth, a touch more complexity in the overtones. It's always been the Martin for players who want rosewood richness with a bit more character.
The construction changes amplify what already makes the D-35 special. Lighter, more responsive, and with that same Golden Era bracing pattern that transforms how the top moves. Worth a serious look if you want something a step apart from the crowd.
Sitka spruce top · East Indian rosewood back and sides (three-piece back) · Forward-shifted GE scalloped bracing · Gloss nitro finish. View the D-35 →
Martin OM-28 (Refreshed)
Martin OM-28 (Refreshed)
Not a dreadnought — and that's precisely the point. The OM-28 is Martin's Orchestra Model: a smaller, more focused body with a long scale length. It's the fingerpicker's choice, and it's been quietly beloved by singer-songwriters and studio players for decades.
The refresh brings the same Golden Era construction to a tighter package. The result is an OM that's articulate, dynamic, and responsive in a way that rewards lighter playing. If dreadnoughts feel like too much guitar for how you play, this might be your favourite of the six.
Sitka spruce top · East Indian rosewood back and sides · Orchestra Model body · Forward-shifted GE scalloped bracing · Gloss nitro finish. View the OM-28 →
Martin HD12-28 (Refreshed)
Twelve-string players have been waiting for this one. The HD12-28 takes everything that makes the refreshed HD-28 special — the Golden Era scalloped bracing, the lighter construction, the herringbone appointments — and applies it to Martin's flagship twelve-string.
Twelve-strings live and die by how well the paired courses ring together, and the lighter build here makes a real difference. The octave strings shimmer without getting harsh, the fundamental courses stay defined, and the overall sound has that classic twelve-string chorus without turning to mush when you strum hard. If you've ever struggled to find a twelve-string that sounds as good as it looks, this deserves your attention.
Sitka spruce top · East Indian rosewood back and sides · 12-string · Herringbone trim · Forward-shifted GE scalloped bracing · Gloss nitro finish. View the HD12-28 →
How they sound
We've been playing these guitars since they arrived. Here's what stands out.
They respond to touch. Every one of the six is more sensitive to dynamics than the model it replaces. Play softly and the guitar stays intimate. Lean into a strum and it opens up and pushes air. That kind of responsiveness is what players mean when they talk about a guitar feeling "alive."
They project. The forward-shifted bracing and lighter construction work together to move more air with less effort. You don't have to work hard to fill a room with these.
They sustain. Notes bloom — they swell slightly after the initial attack and then hang in the air. This is what pre-war Martin players talk about, and it's the quality that's been hardest for modern guitars to replicate. The refreshed models get noticeably closer.
If you've played a modern Martin and thought "nice guitar, but not quite there" — these are worth another look.
The full refreshed lineup at Studio 1
Vintage Martin or refreshed Standard Series?
We sell a lot of vintage Martins. Pre-war D-28s, 1960s D-18s, herringbone gems from the 1930s. Those instruments are irreplaceable, and for collectors and players who want that specific piece of history, nothing else will do.
But the refresh changes the conversation for everyone else. If what you're really after is that pre-war Martin sound — the responsiveness, the bloom, the dynamic range — these new guitars deliver it at a fraction of the price, with modern reliability, a full warranty, and no anxiety about taking them on the road.
They're not a replacement for the real thing. But they're the closest Martin has come in decades, and for most players, that's more than enough.
Unless, of course, you want to go all the way.
Want the full pre-war experience? Meet the Authentic series
The Standard Series refresh gets you most of the way to pre-war construction. But if you want everything — every material choice, every build technique, every detail faithful to how Martin built guitars in the 1930s — that's what the Authentic series exists for.
The Authentic models go further than the standard refresh in every respect. Adirondack red spruce tops instead of Sitka — stiffer, louder, with more harmonic complexity. Hide glue throughout, just like the originals, which many luthiers believe produces a more resonant bond than modern adhesives. T-bar neck reinforcement rather than an adjustable truss rod. A chunkier neck profile with a 1¾" nut width that matches the feel of a genuine 1930s Martin in your hand.
These aren't vintage-inspired guitars. They're as close to a time machine as Martin can build. Same woods, same glues, same construction methods, same dimensions — just built today, with the benefit of Martin's 190 years of accumulated craft.
Martin 1939 D-18 Authentic
We currently have a 1939 D-18 Authentic in the shop. Adirondack top, genuine mahogany, hide glue construction, period-correct bracing and neck profile. If the refreshed models make you wonder what the real thing sounds like, this is your answer — without the $50,000 price tag and the stress of owning a 90-year-old instrument.
View the 1939 D-18 Authentic →
Come try them
All six refreshed models — plus the 1939 D-18 Authentic — are in the shop right now. Bring your favourite picks, spend some time with them, and see which one speaks to you. No rush, no pressure — just you and some of the best-sounding Martins we've had in years.
If you'd like photos, video demos, or to book a time so we have the guitars ready and waiting, just get in touch.
Thinking about trading in a guitar to fund an upgrade? We're always looking for quality instruments. Learn about our trade-in and consignment options →