Customer Reviews

Martin 00028EC 6-string Eric Clapton Acoustic Guitar with Case

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, I don't own this guitar. I simply played one. But there were no reviews so I thought I would add a basic one.

The body is slightly smaller than many guitars, both in terms of the size of the soundboard (face), and the thickiness of the guitar. This does make it quite comfortable to play. The sound was typical of martins, but more delicate or gentle than say, a dreadnought, due to the slightly smaller body. It played like a dream and I'd love to have one but for the $3200 price, its a bit oversold. You're paying for Eric's endorsement, and a couple inlays and minor features that are not on the basic 00028.

If money is no object, its an interesting piece and a nice guitar. But you might do better to pay a grand less and get the basic 00028. Unless you like guitars with other people's names on them. But hey what do I know. I have a Reverend Horton Heat Gretsch 6120, so....ya know...its about the feature set and what you really like. I didn't buy that for the name. On this guitar, this model gives you different tuning machine knobs and a couple inlays for a grand....not sure that's worth it.

I downgraded one star on the price tag, because I don't think the value is there. But its a very nice guitar and if you buy one, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Its a fine instrument, just overpriced.

Martin 00028EC 6-string Eric Clapton Acoustic Guitar with Case

I've owned my Martin 00028EC for about 6 months now and it's getting a lot of playing time. Once I pick it up, forget about it. Three hours are gonna fly by and I'm gonna be in flow mode, switching between fingerstyle and flatpicking while using alternative tunings and sometimes two capos at a time. Yep, I said two capos--I like to use one of those scary looking Spider capos with a traditional capo attached a couple of frets behind it for some nonconventional chord colors. Even with the shorter scale length (24.9"), it holds dropped D and DADGAD just fine with no floppy sounding tones. Tuning stability is exceptional; the tone is focused, balanced, and the dynamic range is impressive. If you like to palm mute or tap out percussive rhythm parts on the guitar's top or sides, this 000 sized box is perfect because it will not have the boomy low end of a dreadnaught. Overall, the tone is 100% Martin, with crisp, transparent highs, solid but not predominant lows, and that magical Martin midrange that gives the guitars from Nazareth their signature tones. If you want tinkly, twirly, scooped tones with fairy dust, look elsewhere. This is a sophisticated sounding instrument that will reveal the nuances of your playing, and it will just keep sounding better until you pass it down to the next generation.

This guitar has a modified V neck which will be an issue with some players. The first guitar that I ever bought was a brand new 1970 D-18 when I was barely a teenager. I've had that guitar for 42 years and, needless to say, I've become intimately familiar with the neck shape which is similar the the 00028EC. The V is slightly more pronounced on the Clapton, so try one if you can, or make sure you purchase it from a retailer with a return policy that will work for you. Judging from the popularity of this guitar, my guess is that only the pickiest players are going to take issue with the neck shape.

I have to say a few words about the aesthetics of this guitar. The aged lacquer treatment applied to the exceptionally fine quality Sitka Spruce top looks identical to my 40 year old D-18. Martin has got it right on the money. The grain is fine and straight grained, and the top is impressively thin and expertly braced allowing it to speak with authority. The sides and back of my particular guitar are absolutely gorgeous pieces of Indian Rosewood. The neck is figured mahogany with some nice curl, and the nut and bridge saddle are fashioned from animal bone. The dark ebony fretboard and bridge appear to be the highest grade available (check out the photos that I posted here on Amazon's product info page of my Martin 00028ec). I have examined every square inch of this guitar, inside and out and it simply oozes quality. Clapton's aesthetic touches like the small diamonds/squares inlays, the old style decal on the headstock, and the fine herringbone rosette and binding are understated which really adds class to an already nicely spec'd instrument. It looks, feels, and smells (cedar kerfing?) like a very expensive guitar; and indeed, it is a bit on the pricey side, but I'm looking forward to growing old with this fine instrument. I've performed with it twice, both times using an AKG condenser mic mounted to a traditional stand with a boom. I am exploring pickup options, but I might just stick with a microphone system of some type--possibly a K & K Meridian External Mic System.

Are there better guitars out there for the price of the 00028EC? That's something that each of us has to explore. Certainly Bedell, Breedlove, Alvarez, Larivee, Guild, Takamine, Taylor, and dozens of small builders offer compelling instruments of similar spec, often for less. Even within Martin's own line, you will find 00021's and 28's for less cash. Conversely, Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom and Collings make more expensive versions that follow the same theme. You have to play one and consider the craftsmanship, tone and level of materials that come as part of this package. I've been very impressed, so far, and this is a guitar that grabs me and keeps me playing long after normal people would have retired for the day.

Plan on spending some cash on a good setup if you buy online. While the nut, bridge saddles, and fretwork are perfect, Martin ships their guitars with the action on the high side so that players can have them customized to match their playing styles. Also, the ebony neck and bridge had quite a bit of fine sawdust left over from milling and routing. The bare wood was extremely dry and required an application of Lizard Spit Fretboard Conditioner immediately. There is no second strap button which is perhaps nitpicking, but I ended up purchasing a nice ebony button and a tap kit from StewMac.com. Finally, I've seen and played quite a few of these guitars and they do vary from one to another quite a bit, so be prepared to critically evaluate everything from the feel of the neck to the sonic punch and the looks. Be picky. Have fun. Play till you drop.
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Here's a clip of my 00028EC:
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And one more:
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Peace.

I owned an 000-28EC for a few months, purchased largely on impulse. It was a fine sounding guitar with a short 24.9" scale and 1.75" nut with. The guitar was purchased at GC, new with warranty for $2000. It was NOS and for that reason I was offered the guitar at a price I could not pass up!

All good.

What did not like about the guitar, and the primary reason I gave it up, was the design of the modified-V neck shape. I found this to be less than ergonomic for playing up the neck and, actually, the guitar caused some discomfort in my fretting hand.

Not so good.

I applaud Martin for the items listed in my first paragraph and for the simple fact that this model is among the best sounding new guitars of any make. If the guitar had a standard neck, or even a low profile shape, I would have kept it.

For reference: I am a semi-professional musician who has been playing the acoustic guitar for over 30 years.