If you’ve spent any time in the acoustic guitar world over the past decade, you’ve likely heard the name Billy Strings. The Michigan-born, Nashville-based virtuoso has become the face of modern bluegrass, blending lightning-fast flatpicking with psychedelic jams and a punk-rock ethos. But beyond the Grammy wins and sold-out arena tours, Billy’s a gear nerd at heart—and his new collaboration with Martin Guitar proves it.

In 2025, Martin dropped two signature models bearing Billy’s name: the D-28 Billy Strings ($($899). These aren’t just pretty wall decorations; they’re tools built for players, by a player who still remembers scraping together cash for his first Martin. Let’s jump into why these guitars matter, how they came to be, and what the guitar community’s saying about them.

Who Is Billy Strings? A Primer for the Uninitiated

Billy Strings (born William Apostol) isn’t your grandpa’s bluegrass picker. Sure, he can tear through a Foggy Mountain Breakdown solo at Mach 3, but he’s equally likely to launch into a 20-minute jam that channels Jerry Garcia or Jimi Hendrix. Here’s the CliffsNotes version:

• ⊕ Grammy-Winning Maverick: Snagged Best Bluegrass Album in 2021 for Home, then followed it with 2024’s Highway Prayers, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart.
• ⊕ Live Show Legend: His concerts are equal parts bluegrass revival and rock spectacle, often selling out arenas like Red Rocks and Nashville’s Bridgestone.
• ⊕ Gear Evangelist: From vintage Martins to boutique pedals, Billy’s known for geeking out over tone. His 1940s Martin D-28 (nicknamed “Old Gal”) has been his trusty sidekick for years.

In short, Billy’s the guy making bluegrass cool for TikTok teens and jam-band hippies alike—and now, he’s putting that rebellious spirit into two Martin guitars.

How This Collaboration Came to Be: A Match Made in Nazareth

This partnership wasn’t a corporate cash grab. It started with Billy’s lifelong love affair with Martin guitars.

The Backstory
Growing up in rural Michigan, Billy saved up $900 from gigging to buy his first Martin—a used D-18. “I played that thing until my fingers bled,” he recalls in a recent interview. Years later, after scoring his 1940s D-28 at a Nashville shop, he reached out to Martin with a simple pitch: Let’s make guitars that players can actually afford to play.

The Design Process
Billy worked closely with Martin’s luthiers to tweak every detail:

• ⊕ Scale Length: The D-28’s 25” scale (shorter than standard 25.4”) was inspired by Tony Rice’s Santa Cruz model. “Tony figured out shorter scales are easier on the hands,” Billy explains. “Why reinvent the wheel?”
• ⊕ Neck Profile: The “modified low oval” neck combines a wider 1.75” nut (for fingerpicking clarity) with a slimmer carve for speed.
• ⊕ Vintage Vibes, Modern Tweaks: The D-28 replicates his 1940s guitar’s scalloped bracing and herringbone purfling but adds a satin neck finish for comfort.

Martin’s CEO, Thomas Ripsam, summed it up in their press release: “Billy’s not just an artist—he’s a craftsman. He’d send us voice memos at 2 a.m. about fretboard radius specs. That passion is in every curve of these guitars.”

The Guitars: Breaking Down the D-28 and D-X2E

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s how these models stack up:

D-28 Billy Strings: The Holy Grail

This guitar is a pre-war D-28 on steroids. The solid rosewood back/sides deliver that iconic Martin thump, while the shorter scale makes bending and sliding feel effortless. Billy demoed it at NAMM with a blistering version of Turmoil & Tinfoil, and the crowd lost it when he hit those high harmonics. As Guitar World noted, “It’s the bluegrass equivalent of a ’59 Les Paul—a timeless workhorse with modern playability.”

D-X2E Billy Strings: The People’s Champion

Don’t let the price fool you—this isn’t a “budget” guitar. The HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) back/sides are nearly indestructible, making it ideal for barn jams and dive bars. The real star? The Martin E1 electronics, which Billy insists “sound better than mics in a noisy room.” Plus, the stealthy built-in tuner is a godsend for players who hate fumbling with clip-ons mid-set.

Community Response: Love, Skepticism, and One Burning Question

Since their NAMM debut, these guitars have sparked heated debates in forums and coffee shops. Here’s the scoop:

The Good

• ⊕ Bluegrass Forums: On sites like Banjo Hangout, players praise the D-X2E’s playability. One user wrote: “I’ve played $3,000 guitars that don’t feel this smooth. Billy gets it.”
• ⊕ Reddit’s r/Guitar: Threads are flooded with clips of the D-28’s “monster low end.” One user joked, “This thing could make a Taylor sound like a kazoo.”

The Skeptics

• ⊕ Price Concerns: Some question the D-28’s $3,799 tag. “That’s a down payment on a car,” griped a TikTok commenter.
• ⊕ HPL Backlash: Traditionalists argue HPL “isn’t real wood,” but Billy clapped back: “My first Martin was laminate. If it’s good enough for the road, it’s good enough for you.”

The Burning Question
“Why no cutaway?” Billy’s answer? “Bluegrass purists would disown me. Besides, you don’t need a cutaway to play fast—just ask Tony Rice.”

FAQ: Your Questions, Answered

Q: Why two models?
A: Billy wanted options. The D-28 is for pros/collectors; the D-X2E is for players who “just want to make music without debt.”

Q: Can the D-X2E handle alternate tunings?
A: Yes! The shorter scale reduces string tension, making open G or DADGAD easier on the fingers.

Q: Are these limited edition?
A: Martin says they’ll produce them “as long as people keep buying them.”

Q: What strings does Billy use?
A: Martin Retro Monel Mediums (.013-.056). “They’re stiff, but they bark,” he says.

Q: Where can I try one?
A: Most Martin dealers will stock them by March 2025. Check Martin’s dealer locator.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Collaboration Matters

Martin’s partnership with Billy isn’t just about sales—it’s a cultural reset. For decades, bluegrass has been seen as a niche, “old man’s” genre. But Billy’s Gen Z fanbase and genre-blurring style are bringing new life to acoustic music. By putting his name on a sub $900 guitar, Martin’s signaling: This isn’t your grandpa’s bluegrass.

As Guitar World put it: “The D-X2E could do for acoustic guitars what the Squier Strat did for rock—democratize a classic sound.”

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy One?

If you’re a bluegrass diehard, the D-28 is worth the splurge. It’s a lifetime guitar that’ll age like fine whiskey. But for 90% of players, the D-X2E is the real star. It’s affordable, road-tough, and proof that Billy hasn’t forgotten his roots.

As Billy says, “These guitars aren’t meant to sit in a case. They’re meant to be played until the finish wears off.” So whether you’re a bedroom strummer or a festival headliner, there’s a Billy Strings Martin with your name on it.

Ready to join the flatpicking revolution? Check out Martin’s official page or check the hashtag #BillyStringsMartin on Instagram for player clips. And hey—if you buy one, maybe we’ll see you at the next Billy show… front row, guitar in hand.

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