On the heels of the 1915 Panama-Pacific Worldwide Expo in San Francisco, all issues Hawaiian had been in vogue. Because the ’20s roared, the Martin Guitar Firm was delivery 1000’s of ukuleles and koa guitars simply earlier than the rise of its steel-string classics. The corporate’s new O‘ahu line celebrates that transient interval, and its first mannequin is the HG-28.

A unicorn of types, the HG-28 sports activities a 14-fret slope-shouldered dreadnought form, however with dimensions extra intently mirroring the 000/OM. The physique is barely smaller than auditorium-size, with the same depth profile, and scale size is the 000’s 24.9″ with a 1.75″ nut. The result’s a more-robust bass response in a smaller bundle. Whether or not that’s empirically true is tough to discern – the HG-28 performs and feels loads like a 000-28, and sounds very similar to one, too. Nonetheless, a dreadnought that accommodates the smaller participant could also be value giving up a few of its punch.

The HG’s spruce-on-koa building is exclusive to Martin’s line. Our tester weighed 3.75 kilos and had a beautiful, calmly flamed koa again. The trim degree is congruent to a regular 28 – ebony fretboard and bridge, diamond volute, and scalloped X-bracing. The herringbone high binding is a pleasant contact, and the open-back tuners full the basic look.

The tester was properly set to play out of the field, with immaculate match and end. Gentle and balanced on the knee, it produced a vibrant, considerably restrained timbre. Although formed like a dreadnought, the HG doesn’t roar like one. Fairly, its tone is evident and ahead – large chords don’t get overwhelmed by the decrease register. Is its tone outlined by the spruce and koa building, or does its distinctive form maintain the important thing? That could be so that you can resolve.

For sure, although, the HG-28 is a recent tackle Hawaiian-inspired devices, with trendy playability and appointments. It ships in a gig bag, which works properly for gamers who pack gentle, however its form could pose a problem to find a hardshell to suit. – Michael Shirek

This text initially appeared in VG’s September 2025 concern. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.