Martin D-28HW 1944 Hank Williams, Sr. 75th Birthday Commemorative Limited Edition – Brazilian Rosewood Dreadnought 1998 - Excellent Condition - Serial # 644363 - Edition # 46
A rare and highly distinctive Martin limited edition, celebrating one of the greatest legends in the history of country music.
A Legendary Guitar. An Iconic Artist. A Limited Edition of Just 150 Worldwide.
The Martin D-28HW Hank Williams, Sr. 75th Birthday Commemorative Limited Edition is a particularly special instrument from C. F. Martin & Co., created in 1998 to honour the enduring legacy of one of America's most influential singer-songwriters. Limited to just 150 instruments worldwide, this exceptional commemorative dreadnought combines premium tonewoods, traditional Martin construction and historically inspired appointments in a model with considerable appeal to players and collectors alike.
Hank Williams, Sr. remains one of the defining figures in country music. His timeless songs, including Your Cheatin’ Heart, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Cold, Cold Heart, helped shape the sound and emotional language of modern country music. His association with Martin guitars makes this limited-edition D-28 a particularly fitting tribute to his musical legacy.
Inspired by the 1944 Martin D-28 associated with Williams, the D-28HW captures the character and visual elegance of the classic American dreadnought while incorporating distinctive commemorative details that set it apart from standard production models.
For the discerning guitarist, it offers a traditional, full-bodied acoustic platform. For the collector, it represents a rare intersection of Martin history, Brazilian rosewood craftsmanship and American musical heritage.
Premium Brazilian Rosewood and Solid Sitka Spruce
At the heart of the D-28HW is a superbly traditional tonewood combination: solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top.
Brazilian rosewood, Dalbergia nigra, is among the most celebrated tonewoods in the history of fine acoustic guitar making. Renowned for its visual beauty and tonal complexity, it is prized for its rich low-frequency response, clear and articulate trebles, and intricate harmonic character. Its naturally varied grain and colouration give each instrument its own individual appearance.
The solid Sitka spruce soundboard provides the strength, responsiveness and dynamic headroom associated with classic steel-string Martin dreadnoughts. It is well suited to powerful strumming, articulate flatpicking and expressive fingerstyle playing, offering the potential for excellent projection and a broad dynamic range.
Together, these tonewoods create a compelling traditional specification: the depth and complexity associated with Brazilian rosewood complemented by the clarity, responsiveness and projection of Sitka spruce.
The result is an instrument designed to deliver the authoritative voice of a classic Martin dreadnought, with the tonal versatility required for everything from country accompaniment and bluegrass-inspired playing to folk, blues and contemporary acoustic music.
Golden Era-Inspired Martin Construction
The D-28HW incorporates forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing, a construction approach associated with the highly regarded pre-war Martin dreadnoughts.
This bracing configuration is designed to encourage soundboard responsiveness while supporting the characteristic projection and dynamic range that have made the D-28 one of the most influential acoustic guitar designs ever produced.
The dreadnought body provides a substantial acoustic voice, with a strong bass foundation, clear upper-register definition and the potential for rich harmonic complexity. Whether accompanying a singer, driving a traditional country rhythm or delivering expressive instrumental passages, the D-28HW offers the ingredients that have made the classic Martin dreadnought a benchmark for generations of acoustic guitarists.
Exquisite Traditional Appointments
Visually, the D-28HW is a beautifully considered tribute to Martin's historic Style 28 aesthetic. Its understated elegance allows the natural beauty of the tonewoods and the fine details of its construction to take centre stage.
Highlights include:
Fine-pattern herringbone top purfling, recalling the distinctive appearance of early Martin D-28 instruments.
Solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides, complemented by a traditional contrasting zigzag backstrip.
Solid Sitka spruce soundboard, finished with an aged-toner-style appearance.
Genuine ebony fingerboard, featuring traditional long diamond and square position markers.
Ebony belly bridge, with a long, through-style saddle.
Grained ivoroid-style body binding, providing an elegant contrast against the natural wood.
Traditional Style 28 rosette, maintaining the classic Martin visual identity.
Brazilian rosewood headplate, complemented by the old-style Martin logo.
Hank Williams, Sr. signature inlay, positioned near the final frets as a distinctive commemorative feature.
Waverly nickel tuning machines, fitted with vintage-inspired buttons.
Mahogany neck, with a traditional modified V profile and satin finish.
The combination of herringbone trim, ebony appointments and richly figured rosewood gives the instrument a distinctly vintage character without excessive ornamentation.
A Distinctive Tribute to Hank Williams, Sr.
The D-28HW is more than a traditional Martin dreadnought with premium tonewoods. Its commemorative details establish a direct connection to the artist whose name it bears.
The fingerboard signature inlay, commemorative neck-block inscription and individually numbered edition label distinguish this model from a standard D-28. The edition label was signed by C. F. Martin IV, further reinforcing its identity as a dedicated commemorative instrument.
Produced in 1998 to mark what would have been Hank Williams' 75th birthday, the guitar celebrates an artist whose influence continues to extend across country, folk, blues and Americana.
With worldwide production limited to just 150 examples, the D-28HW occupies a particularly interesting position among Martin's late-twentieth-century commemorative instruments.
Its appeal extends beyond its association with Hank Williams: it combines a rare Brazilian rosewood specification with a historically inspired construction philosophy and the enduring desirability of the Martin D-28.
Key Specifications
Manufacturer: C. F. Martin & Co.
Model: D-28HW Hank Williams, Sr. 75th Birthday Commemorative
Year: 1998
Edition: Limited to 150 instruments worldwide
Body style: Dreadnought
Top: Solid Sitka spruce
Back and sides: Solid Brazilian rosewood
Bracing: Forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing
Neck: Mahogany, modified V profile
Fingerboard: Genuine ebony
Bridge: Genuine ebony belly bridge
Scale length: 25.4 inches
Nut width: 1 11/16 inches
Top trim: Traditional herringbone purfling
Binding: Grained ivoroid-style
Tuners: Waverly nickel tuning machines
Commemorative features: Hank Williams, Sr. signature inlay, numbered edition label and commemorative neck-block inscription
Historical inspiration: The pre-war Martin D-28 associated with Hank Williams, Sr.
Pure Effect Music
At Pure Effect Music, we celebrate exceptional guitars for their craftsmanship, musical character and historical significance. The Martin D-28HW Hank Williams, Sr. 75th Birthday Commemorative Limited Edition embodies these qualities, making it an intriguing proposition for the discerning player and collector.
Pure Effect Music — exceptional guitars with exceptional stories.
