The Martin D-28 Rich Robinson Custom Signature Edition is a guitar player’s dream, and it is the first model that Martin has ever made as a visual and sonic representation of an artist’s personal instrument.
Mirroring the Black Crowes guitarist’s treasured 1954 Dreadnought, this Martin D-28 Rich Robinson is a heavenly re-creation and the first model that Martin has ever made as a visual and sonic representation of an artist’s personal instrument. The Martin D-28 Rich Robinson Custom Signature Edition is inspired on the 1954 D-28 that was handed down from Robinson’s father, who played it on stage at the Grand Ole Opry; as a traveling musician with the Hillbilly Highway; and in his folk band, The Appalachians, during the 1950s and ‘60s. After inheriting his father’s guitar, Robinson used it to write most of the original Black Crowes songs from the band’s studio albums. She’s crafted with aged satin-finished East Indian rosewood for the back and sides and an aged Sitka Spruce top that is finished with a very thin vintage gloss. The rearward-shifted non-scalloped bracing offers a very balanced tone and added volume. Martin included some 1950s style vintage build characteristics, like Martin’s signature dovetail neck joint, authentic hide glue construction, an Ebony fingerboard and bridge, and Aged nickel tuners. Another custom feature requested by Robinson is a bridge with the wings slightly softened for comfort. There is no visible fancy signature inlay or any sort of modern appointment. Everything from the headstock to the hardware with aged nickel tuners is simply period correct. Martin did include a specially designed label, signed by Robinson and numbered in sequence. Click here to listen to Rich about this beauty and the history.
The action is pretty low and easy, and unlike a ’54, this guitar has an easily adjustable truss rod. I didn’t need to touch it, though. Although my hands are not large, I found barre chords surprisingly manageable and had no problem executing pretty much anything I felt like playing, up and down the ebony fretboard. Her voice is lively and loud due to the rearward-shifted non-scalloped bracing, which offers added volume and balance. While the D-28 is a sonic boomer, this babe is all about balance. The focus is more in the middle range, balanced nicely with a present top and a snappy low end. Give her a strong strum and the whole guitar resonates, with sweet, enduring sustain. Her body feels alive, vibrating against your own. Martin did a remarkable job creating a kick-ass new guitar that looks like a road-worn 70-year-old. Listen to a sound sample by Manos Ploumidis here:
Price includes:
- C.F. Martin Limited lifetime warranty.
- 21% VAT included. VAT is not applicable for buyers from outside the Eurozone.
- We ship worldwide, fully insured. Check your price HERE
- 14-day Return Policy applies.
- All guitars come with a new set of strings and a setup to your liking.
