Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe Rosewood / VTS Spruce Acoustic Guitar

Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe

Small Body. Big Character.

The Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe is a remarkable interpretation of the classic Martin 00 body shape. With its comfortable 00-size, 12-fret design, slotted headstock, premium tonewoods, and vintage-inspired appointments, this guitar has an unmistakably intimate Martin character—while incorporating some of Martin’s most advanced modern features.

This is a guitar that proves you don’t need a large body to produce an impressive acoustic voice. The 0012-28 has warmth, clarity, projection and remarkable depth, with a beautifully balanced response that makes it especially appealing to fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, and anyone who appreciates the comfort and musical intimacy of a smaller guitar.

Part of Martin’s acclaimed Modern Deluxe Series, the 0012-28 combines the soul of a vintage Martin with cutting-edge materials and construction techniques.

💵 0% Financing Available

We offer 0% financing on most guitars at Tobias Music. Ask us for current financing options and terms.

✅ Why You’ll Love This Guitar

The 0012-28 Modern Deluxe is one of those guitars that feels special almost immediately.

The 00 12-fret body is exceptionally comfortable, with the bridge positioned farther toward the center of the lower bout. This traditional design contributes to a warm, open response and gives the guitar a wonderfully balanced feel.

The 12-fret neck and slotted headstock give the 0012-28 a distinctly vintage Martin aesthetic, while the Modern Deluxe appointments and construction provide an entirely contemporary level of refinement.

And then there’s the tone.

The European Red Spruce VTS top, East Indian Rosewood back and sides, and GE-style Adirondack spruce bracing combine to produce a voice that is remarkably rich for such a compact instrument. It has the warmth and complexity you expect from a Martin, but with an immediacy and intimacy that makes it incredibly rewarding to play.

Small body. Big character.

✅ Our Expert Opinion

At Tobias Music, we have always had a particular appreciation for smaller-bodied Martins. They can be incredibly expressive instruments, and the 0012-28 Modern Deluxe takes that concept to another level.

The 12-fret 00 body is wonderfully comfortable, but don’t mistake comfortable for understated. This guitar has serious tonal authority.

The European Red Spruce VTS top provides exceptional clarity and headroom, while the East Indian Rosewood body adds warmth, complexity and sustain. The result is a guitar with a sophisticated voice that can respond beautifully to a light fingerstyle touch but still has enough projection and dynamic range for more aggressive playing.

For the player who wants a guitar with personality rather than simply volume, this is a very compelling Martin.

✅ Tone Profile

Warm • Clear • Complex • Balanced • Responsive • Sustaining

The 0012-28 Modern Deluxe has a wonderfully sophisticated tonal balance.

Bass

Warm and rounded without becoming oversized or boomy.

Midrange

Rich and articulate, giving the guitar a strong fundamental voice and excellent note separation.

Treble

Clear, sparkling and refined, with plenty of detail without becoming harsh.

Overall

A beautifully balanced vintage-inspired Martin voice with exceptional clarity and responsiveness.

The 12-fret configuration gives this guitar a particularly open and resonant character, while the rosewood body contributes the complexity and sustain associated with a Martin 28-style instrument.

✅ Construction & Specifications

Body

• Model: Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe
• Series: Modern Deluxe
• Body Size: 00-12 Fret
• Construction: Dovetail neck joint
• Scale Length: 24.9”
• Top: European Red Spruce with Martin VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS)
• Back & Sides: East Indian Rosewood
• Finish: Gloss
• Binding: European Flamed Maple
• Top Inlay: Bold Herringbone
• Rosette: Style 28 Multi-Stripe
• Back Purfling: Zig-Zag Authentic
• Back Inlay: Multi-Stripe

Bracing & Modern Deluxe Technology

• Bracing Pattern: X-Brace
• Brace Shape: GE-Scalloped
• Bracing Material: Adirondack Spruce with VTS
• Brace Size: 1/4”
• Bridge Plate: Lightweight carbon-fiber bridge plate
• Bridge Pins: Liquidmetal® with red acrylic dots
• Adhesive: Natural protein glue
• Pleked: Yes

These modern construction elements are designed to improve resonance, sustain, projection and overall efficiency while maintaining the character of a traditional Martin.

Neck & Fingerboard

• Neck Shape: Vintage Deluxe
• Neck Taper: High-Performance Taper
• Neck Material: Select Mahogany
• Neck Finish: Satin
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Neck Joins Body: 12th fret
• Nut Width: 1 13/16”
• Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/4”
• Frets: 20
• Frets: EVO Gold
• Fingerboard Inlay: Diamonds & Squares Long Pattern
• Inlay Material: Abalone
• Nut: Bone
• Side Dots: Abalone

Bridge & Hardware

• Bridge: Ebony Pyramid-style, drop-in saddle
• Saddle: Compensated Bone
• String Spacing: 2 1/4”
• Tuning Machines: Waverly® Gold Side-Mount
• Buttons: Butterbean

Headstock & Appointments

• Headstock: Slotted with Square Taper and Diamond
• Headplate: East Indian Rosewood
• Headstock Logo: 1933 C.F. Martin Script Inlay
• Heelcap: European Flamed Maple
• Endpiece: European Flamed Maple

Case

• Included: Martin Ply Hardshell Case

Electronics

The 0012-28 Modern Deluxe is offered as an acoustic instrument without onboard electronics. Professionally installed pickup available. Contact us for options.

✅ Vintage Tone. Modern Technology.

The Modern Deluxe Series was created by Martin to combine the tonal character and visual appeal of vintage Martin guitars with modern materials and construction techniques.  

The 0012-28 is an especially successful example of that philosophy.

The VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® top and VTS Adirondack bracing help create the seasoned, responsive character associated with an older Martin, while the carbon-fiber bridge plate, Liquidmetal bridge pins, EVO gold frets and refined neck design bring modern performance to the equation.

It’s a wonderful combination of old Martin soul and new Martin technology.

✅ Who It’s Perfect For

The Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe is an outstanding choice for:

• Fingerstyle guitarists
• Singer-songwriters
• Players who prefer smaller-bodied guitars
• Players who love traditional 12-fret Martin designs
• Vintage Martin enthusiasts
• Players looking for exceptional comfort without sacrificing tone
• Anyone wanting a sophisticated, highly responsive acoustic guitar
• Players looking for a guitar with tremendous character rather than simply maximum volume

✅ Tobias Music Insight

This is one of those Martins that can surprise you.

The 0012-28 doesn’t look like a powerhouse. Its 00 body is compact and extremely comfortable. But once you play it, the combination of the 12-fret design, European Red Spruce VTS top and East Indian Rosewood body reveals a much bigger personality than its size would suggest.

We especially like the way the 12-fret configuration gives the guitar a naturally balanced feel. The bridge sits in a particularly responsive part of the soundboard, helping produce a voice that is warm, open and exceptionally musical.

For a player who wants something a little different from the traditional Martin dreadnought or OM, the 0012-28 Modern Deluxe is a fascinating alternative.

Small body. Big character. And unmistakably Martin.

✅ Why Buy From Tobias Music?

Tobias Music has been a Martin dealer for 47 years, giving us an extraordinary depth of experience with Martin instruments.

We don’t simply sell Martins—we know them.

Every guitar we sell receives the attention and expertise you’d expect from a long-established Martin dealer, and our experience allows us to help you find the instrument that best fits your playing style, preferences and musical goals.

Whether you’re looking for your first Martin or adding a special instrument to an established collection, we’re here to help you make the right choice.