Re: NGD...#61 Has Landed....
Taylor 614, Jeff? Beautiful!
My HD-28V is from 2010, if I recall, and I also have the HD-28 E Retro from 2015. The Retro is based on the 28V, but has the Fishman F1 AURA + pickup and preamp. Physically, they differ only in the bridge (Retro has a short, drop-in TUSQ sadddle for the UST) and the neck (1.75" performance taper for the Retro and the 28V is 1.69" in a "Modified V". Tonally they sound very much the same, as one would expect. Both have the same forward-shifted scalloped 5/8" bracing. To my ear, they sound as similar as can be, with the same resonance and response.
On my straight-braced D-28s, it's the low A that's prominent; on the V and the Retro it's the low E, and these guitars are louder and feel much more responsive. The F/S scalloped bracing really makes for a lively guitar. My D-41 is built on the same pattern as the HD-28....the standard placement of the braces, but scalloped. It really splits the difference between the Standard and the Vintage. The HD-28 is often regarded as Martin's most versatile guitar, as some consider the HD-28V too boomy.
The HD-35 has its 1/4" bracing scalloped. The Standard D-35 also used 1/4" bracing, but non-scalloped. The D-35 is a little bassier than the Standard D-28 but still has that focus of a straight-braced guitar. The HD-35 is just bigger, looser, more resonant and louder than my Standard D-35, though the D-35 is a fine guitar. I would never knock a Standard D-35, but if you like 35 cosmetics and just want MORE, the HD-35 would be a good way to go, and I think the upcharge is worthwhile.
I haven't got them all out to stage a "play-off" yet, but the HD-35 compared to the HD-28 E Retro is very interesting. The difference is slight but it is there. The Retro and my 28V are lacking just a bit on the top strings compared to the HD-35. The low E and A strings have a bit of growl on the 28V, while the HD-35 is somehow "cleaner", and the top strings are a touch louder. The HD-35 feels a little more balanced. Both sustain like a Les Paul into a Marshall. They are very, very close.
But....some also consider the HD-35 too boomy. Interestingly, I'd played one about three years ago and was not impressed; that particular guitar was a bit flat-sounding to me, perhaps needing more playing-in...to be fair. This time, I did a lot of research on this model, and took a leap of faith with the new guitar. At the moment, I'm considering this purchase a booming success, getting a fantastic guitar at a no-brainer price. But it will take a few years to see if this HD-35 will maintain its balance or become a boomy, muddled mess. I'm betting its a keeper.
The HD-35 vs. the HD-28V? For the individual player, it could come down to neck shape, or cosmetics. At MSRP, there is about a $600 upcharge for the HD-28V (or the Retro if you want electronics). My HD-28V isn't going anywhere; I love both of these guitars.
And all of this is quickly becoming moot, as Martin has revamped its Standard Series for 2018. My HD-35 is a NOS 2017, and the specs have been changed for the 2018 models. I suspect that the HD-28 V will be phased out soon, as they have made the new Standard HD-28 much closer to the Vintage. The Retro has already been down-graded with the Fishman VT Enhance replacing the F1 AURA+.
I'm really liking the HD-35. I played it so much yesterday that my fingers are sore!
Bill
that 0-28V was a ridiculously fun guitar when I played it! Or maybe a smaller 15 series, those are killer too.
