Martin Keb Mo' Signature Guitar Model HD-28KM


Martin Keb Mo' Signature Guitar Model HD-28KM
by Jeff Blakeman
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All you need to do is play your favorite chord, and in a split second, you'll know this is one incredible guitar-the Keb Mo' Signature Dreadnought guitar from Martin. The model HD-28KM has beautifully flamed Hawaiian Koa back and sides, a vintage-toned Engelmann spruce top, a solid mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. This guitar has all the right components needed to ring like a piano... and it does!

Aesthetically speaking, this is a beautiful guitar. The gold and ebony Gold Schaller Enclosed M-6G tuning pegs easily keep this guitar in perfect tune. The body is bound with a classic herringbone pattern which looks great under the aged, lacquer finish. The soundhole rosette, featuring abalone pearl flanked by traditional black and white line inlays, is flawlessly executed, as are the abalone diamond inlays on the neck. Keb Mo's signature is inlayed, in sparkling pearl, at the 20th fret. The interior is very clean and its scalloped top braces, shifted forward one inch from the soundhole, enhance the instrument's vintage character and dynamic range. Inside the soundhole you can see the paper label signed by both Keb Mo' and C. F. Martin IV. A genuine bone nut, compensated bone saddle in an ebony belly bridge, and vintage tortoise-colored pickguard finish off the top. A zig-zag inlay strip runs down the center of the back where it is met at the base of the neck's heel with an ivoriod heel cap. Further up the neck, a diamond volute helps strengthen the headstock without getting in the way. This guitar has a true vintage vibe.

To play this guitar is a joy-the sound is just plain ol' BIG! Open chords and first position runs are filled with a rich, dark quality that Koa wood offers. It never sounds thin or stressed when strummed or picked hard and the tightly grained spruce top rings long and loud. Projection is excellent all the way throughout the fretboard range. Fingerstylists and strummers alike will love the great feel, balanced tone and excellent volume. The action is comfortably set with medium-light strings while the nut width is a nicely spaced 1 3/4 inches spreading to 2 1/4 inches at the 12th fret. This is a great neck width for larger hands or for those that like a little extra breathing room around their fingers. Playing either classical or Jazz fingerstyles feel comfortable on this low-profile neck design. The dreadnought-sized body is always comfortable to play sitting, standing, or snuggled up in your favorite chair.

There are other guitars in this price range to look at when choosing the "one", so it would be a good idea to put this guitar on your list. It offers an excellent vintage feel, sound, and vibe that is hard to beat. Martin Guitars are from C. F. Martin & Co, 510 Sycamore Street, Nazareth, PA 18064. Phone: 610-759-2837. Web to: www.martinguitar.com

Jeff Blakeman is currently fronting the Jeff Blakeman Band in Washington, DC. He has played guitar professionally and semi-professionally for over 25 years.

Edited by: Barry Rudolph

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