From the Factory, History | July 2, 2026
Introducing the HD-28 Semiquincentennial: A Historic Martin Guitar 250 Years in the Making
A limited-edition HD-28 crafted with Revolutionary-era white oak, custom Robert Goetzl artwork, and nearly 200 years of Martin history behind every note.
Some guitars tell a story. This one carries a piece of American history.
Meet the Martin HD-28 Semiquincentennial, a limited-edition acoustic guitar created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Built on the legendary HD-28 platform, this special model blends Martin craftsmanship, Revolutionary-era history, custom artwork, and powerful acoustic tone into one unforgettable instrument.
And it also arrives during another milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Martin HD-28, one of the most beloved Dreadnought models in acoustic guitar history.
With only 250 guitars available, the HD-28 Semiquincentennial is as limited as the milestone it celebrates—created for players and collectors who want to own a tangible piece of American and Martin history.
Watch the launch video below as Chris Martin IV and Robert Goetzl share the history, inspiration, and family connections behind the HD-28 Semiquincentennial.
A Martin Guitar Made with Revolutionary-Era History
At the heart of the HD-28 Semiquincentennial is something truly rare: wood from the legendary Basking Ridge white oak, also known as the Holy Oak.
This 600-year-old white oak stood in Basking Ridge, New Jersey—a little over 50 miles from Martin’s home in Nazareth, Pennsylvania—long before the United States became a nation. It lived through the First Great Awakening, the Revolutionary War, and generations of American history before being taken down in 2017 after reaching the end of its natural life.
Local lore connects the tree to several major moments in early American history. George Washington’s troops drilled within view of its branches, and Washington himself is said to have picnicked beneath it with the Marquis de Lafayette. Today, a piece of that story lives on in this guitar.
The Basking Ridge white oak is incorporated into the guitar’s endpiece, heelcap, and Liberty Bell headplate inlay, placing a tangible piece of Revolutionary-era history right in the hands of the player.
Custom Artwork by Robert Goetzl
The HD-28 Semiquincentennial also features a reclaimed Sitka spruce top showcasing custom artwork by longtime Martin collaborator and artist Robert Goetzl.
Robert’s artwork has appeared on several memorable Martin instruments, including the Biosphere® guitars, 00L Earth, DX Woodstock 50th Anniversary, DX 175th Anniversary, and his own hand-painted Dreadnought models. For this guitar, his artwork brings the story of America’s 250th anniversary to life with powerful imagery, including a bald eagle, Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, and a colonial-era American flag.
The result is more than decoration. It’s a visual tribute to independence, craftsmanship, and the enduring role music plays in telling America’s story.
Built on the Iconic HD-28 Platform
Of course, this is still a Martin HD-28 at its core—and that matters.
The HD-28 Semiquincentennial features a Dreadnought body size, solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, bold herringbone top inlay, and Golden Era scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing. That combination delivers the kind of powerful bass, rich overtones, and dynamic response that has made the HD-28 a favorite among players for 50 years.
Other standout specs include a Golden Era Modified Low Oval neck profile, 1 3/4" nut width, ebony Golden Era modern belly bridge, bone bridge pins, antique white binding, and a molded hardshell case.
A Semiquincentennial star design in paua and mother of pearl on the fingerboard adds another refined visual detail, while the Liberty Bell headplate inlay—crafted with Basking Ridge white oak and bronze—ties the whole story together.
HD-28 Semiquincentennial Key Features
- Limited to 250 guitars
- Commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence
- Celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Martin HD-28
- Features Basking Ridge white oak in the endpiece, heelcap, and Liberty Bell headplate inlay
- Reclaimed Sitka spruce top with custom Robert Goetzl artwork
- East Indian rosewood back and sides
- Golden Era scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing
- Dreadnought body size
- Bold herringbone top inlay
- Semiquincentennial star fingerboard design in paua and mother of pearl
- Molded hardshell case included
A Guitar That Carries the Story Forward
The HD-28 Semiquincentennial is more than a tribute to the past. It’s a reminder that history is still being made—in the songs we write, the stories we share, and the music we pass down.
With wood from the legendary Basking Ridge white oak, custom artwork by Robert Goetzl, and the unmistakable sound of an HD-28, this limited-edition acoustic guitar brings together 250 years of American independence and nearly 200 years of Martin craftsmanship in one unforgettable instrument.
Watch the launch video above with Chris Martin IV and Robert to hear the story behind the HD-28 Semiquincentennial—and discover how this historic Martin guitar carries America’s legacy forward, one note at a time.
Until next time, happy playing!
