From the Factory | October 6, 2026
Meet the New Martin O’ahu® HG-28K2, TKE Uke Burst & Low G Strings
An all-koa acoustic guitar, the first Martin O’ahu ukulele, and new premium Low G strings expand a family inspired by Hawaii’s lasting influence on acoustic music.
There’s more than one way to connect with musical history.
Sometimes it means recreating an instrument from the past. Other times, it means taking the ideas, sounds, and traditions that shaped those instruments and giving players something new to do with them.
That’s what the growing Martin O’ahu family is all about.
Inspired by the Hawaiian music craze of the 1920s and early ’30s—a pivotal period that helped influence the evolution of the modern steel-string acoustic guitar—the collection brings that history forward through instruments made for today’s players.
And now, the family is getting bigger.
Joining the lineup on October 6 are the Martin O’ahu HG-28K2, an all-koa take on the HG-28; the Martin O’ahu TKE Uke Burst, the first ukulele in the collection; and Martin O’ahu™ Low G Ukulele Strings, a premium Polygut® tenor set with a silver-wound Low G.
Three new ways to explore a musical connection that goes back more than a century.
Martin O’ahu HG-28K2: An All-Koa Take on the HG-28
The Martin O’ahu HG-28 introduced a body shape unlike anything else in the Martin lineup.
Now the Martin Oahu-HG-28K2 takes that same idea somewhere new with koa from top to back.
The easiest way to picture the HG body is as a smaller sloped-shoulder Dreadnought with the depth of a 000. That combination gives it plenty of presence while keeping the guitar comfortable against the player, and its short 24.9-inch scale adds an easy, relaxed feel under the fingers.
On the HG-28K2, a solid koa top pairs with solid flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides, making this an all-koa addition to the Martin O’ahu family.
And koa does more than make a beautiful first impression.
As a top wood, it brings strong midrange projection, natural compression, and rich overtones, resulting in a warm, expressive sound with plenty of personality. A full gloss finish lets the natural figuring of the wood take center stage.
Scalloped spruce X-bracing helps the top respond freely, while familiar Martin details—including bold herringbone top inlay, antique white binding, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, and open-gear tuners—give the guitar a look that connects the Martin O’ahu story with classic Martin craftsmanship.
The result is an instrument that honors the past while inviting a new generation to make history of their own.
Why an All-Koa Martin O’ahu Guitar?
Koa and Hawaiian music history are naturally connected, which makes an all-koa voice a fitting addition to the Martin O’ahu collection.
But the HG-28K2 isn’t simply about using koa because of that connection.
Changing the top from spruce, as found on the HG-28, to koa gives this version its own sonic identity. The koa top adds a stronger midrange focus, natural compression, and complex overtones, while the koa back and sides help complete its warm, expressive character.
So, while the HG-28 and HG-28K2 share the same distinctive body concept, they give players two different ways to experience it.
And if your eyes are drawn to figured koa before you’ve even played a note?
We understand.
Martin O’ahu TKE Uke Burst: The Family Gets Its First Ukulele
If there’s an instrument that feels right at home in the Martin O’ahu story, it’s the ukulele.
The Martin O’ahu TKE Uke Burst introduces the first ukulele to the collection, creating an even more direct connection with the Hawaiian musical tradition behind the family.
It starts with a tenor body, the largest ukulele size Martin makes. That extra size helps deliver additional volume and projection while giving players a little more room to work with.
A solid spruce top gets a warm burst finish, while solid koa back and sides bring Hawaiian tonewood tradition into the mix. Together, they give the TKE Uke Burst a clear, responsive sound with plenty of warmth and presence.
And this isn’t a ukulele designed only for the living room.
Mi-Si Simple Jack electronics feature an active, battery-free preamp that can be charged in just 60 seconds and provide up to 16 hours of plugged-in performance time. That makes it easy to take the TKE Uke Burst from practice and songwriting to rehearsal and the stage.
A gloss body, satin neck, antique white binding, nickel open-gear tuners, and included softshell case round out a ukulele that looks traditional in all the right ways while giving modern players plenty of flexibility.
And Yes, Guitar Players: This Ukulele Has Something for You, Too
The TKE Uke Burst comes from the factory with another new addition to the Martin O’ahu family: Martin O’ahu Low G Ukulele Strings.
The silver-wound Low G adds depth and resonance to the tenor ukulele’s voice, extending its tonal range and creating a fuller overall sound.
It can also make the instrument feel a little more familiar to guitar players exploring ukulele.
Rather than treating the strings as an afterthought, the TKE Uke Burst and new Low G set were made to work together—pairing the tenor body’s added presence with a string setup designed for depth, balance, and clear articulation.
So if you’ve been guitar-curious about ukulele, consider this your invitation.
Martin O’ahu Low G Ukulele Strings: A Fuller Tenor Voice
The new Martin O’ahu Low G Ukulele Strings are also available on their own for tenor ukulele players looking to explore a fuller, deeper setup.
Made from premium Polygut material, the strings are designed for a smooth feel, reliable tuning stability, and consistent response.
The star of the set is the silver-wound Low G, which adds more depth and resonance while extending the ukulele’s tonal range. Whether you’re strumming full chords or picking individual notes, the set is designed to maintain clarity and warmth across the instrument.
For players already comfortable on guitar, that added low-end range can also make the move to tenor ukulele feel a little more familiar.
Because changing strings can change more than feel.
It can give an instrument an entirely different voice.
A New Chapter for the Martin O’ahu Family
The Martin O’ahu collection began by looking back at a period when Hawaiian music was transforming the way people played, heard, and thought about acoustic instruments.
These new additions keep that story moving forward.
The HG-28K2 introduces an expressive all-koa acoustic guitar built around the distinctive HG body.
The TKE Uke Burst brings the ukulele itself into the family for the first time, combining solid spruce and koa with stage-ready electronics.
And the Martin O’ahu Low G Ukulele Strings give tenor players another way to explore a deeper, fuller ukulele sound—whether they’re playing the TKE Uke Burst or bringing that voice to an instrument they already own.
Different instruments. Different sounds. One shared connection.
Together, they expand the Martin O’ahu family with new ways for players to connect with the Hawaiian musical legacy that helped shape modern acoustic instruments.
Explore the full Martin O’ahu collection and find the voice that speaks to you.
Until next time, happy playing!
