O’ahu HG-28 | Martin Guitar

A brand-new model with a reduced-size dreadnought body celebrates Martin's history in Hawaiian music.

October 2, 2024

Martin is excited to introduce the Martin O’ahu HG-28 ($3,599), a fresh take on a classic design with Hawaiian roots. Joining the Custom K-1 Major Kealakai in the new Martin O’ahu family of instruments, it’s a tribute to the Hawaiian music craze of the 1920s and early ’30s – a pivotal era that helped shape the modern steel-string acoustic guitar.

The HG-28 introduces a new approachable body size to the Martin line, best described as a smaller 14-fret sloped-shoulder Dreadnought with the depth of a 000. Anyone who picks up this guitar will instantly notice how comfortable it is. Like a new, old friend. It’s ideal for players who cherish the robust Dreadnought sound in a more comfortable size.

At the heart of the HG-28 is its construction from solid flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides paired with a solid spruce top. This choice of tonewoods not only delivers a stunning aesthetic but also ensures a rich, balanced tone with articulate highs and warm lows.

Whether you’re strumming chords or picking intricate island melodies, its shorter 24.9” scale length offers a more relaxed string feel and excellent response. The HG-28 plays easily with low action and feels right at home in standard tuning or any one of several slack key open tunings such as open G, which is widely used in Hawaiian-style guitar music.

Adding to its vintage appeal, the HG-28 boasts bold herringbone trim and antique white binding, reminiscent of Martin’s early Hawaiian-style guitars. This guitar is not just a tribute to the past but a testament to Martin’s ongoing commitment to musical innovation.

Check out this video of Chris Martin discussing and demonstrating several historic and contemporary Martin instruments that have their roots in Hawaiian music!