Head to head
Martin D-28 vs Martin Grand J-28E DN
They are closely matched on paper, so the differences are in the detail. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 18 rows that actually differ marked out.
Grand J-28E DN
Double neck, Aging Toner
A Grand Jumbo with two necks, built for the player who refuses to swap guitars mid-song
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Martin D-288.8
- Martin Grand J-28E DN8.2
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| D-28 | Grand J-28E DN | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Martin | Martin |
| Model | D-28 | Grand J-28E DN |
| Finish | Natural | Double neck, Aging Toner |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.8 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Value for money | 7 / 10 | 6 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.9 / 5 (41) | — |
| Price | Over $2,000 | Over $2,000 |
| Type | Acoustic guitar | Double-neck acoustic-electric guitar |
| Body | D-14 fret Dreadnought | Grand Jumbo, larger than a standard Jumbo |
| Body wood | Solid Sitka spruce top with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides | Solid spruce top with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides |
| Top | Solid Sitka spruce with aging toner | Solid spruce, gloss |
| Back & sides | Solid East Indian rosewood | Solid East Indian rosewood, gloss |
| Bracing | Forward-shifted X-brace, GE-scalloped | X-bracing |
| Neck joint | Dovetail neck joint, joins body at the 14th fret | Dovetail neck joint; two necks — 6-string below, 12-string above |
| Neck wood | Select hardwood in dark mahogany | Select hardwood |
| Neck profile | GE Modified Low Oval with High-Performance Taper | Modified Low Oval on the 6-string neck |
| Scale length | 25.4" (645 mm) | 25.4" (645 mm) on both necks |
| Fingerboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Nut | Bone | — |
| Nut width | 1 3/4" (44.5 mm), 2 1/8" at the 12th fret | 1 11/16" (43 mm) on the 6-string neck, 1 13/16" (46 mm) on the 12-string |
| Bridge | Ebony with bone pins | — |
| Tuners | Nickel open-gear with butterbean buttons | — |
| Electronics | None | Fishman double-neck system |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Advanced, Professional | Professional |
| Styles | Folk, Country, Blues, Rock, Pop | Folk, Rock, Country, Pop |
| In the box | Molded hardshell case | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Martin Grand J-28E DNHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Martin D-28Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for the studio
Martin D-28Build and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.