Martin D-45 Standard Series Acoustic Guitar – Natural Aging Toner

A Golden Era Refresh of Martin’s Flagship Dreadnought

“Top-of-the-line” doesn’t even begin to describe the sheer elegance and jaw-dropping inlay work of Martin’s historic flagship dreadnought: the D-45. It’s among the most iconic instruments in Martin’s nearly 2-century history, and Martin’s refreshed Standard series D-45 only enhances the prestige and sound of the model with vintage-inspired appointments. Most notably, the refreshed D-45’s shell-encrusted spruce top now stands supported by Martin’s light and responsive Golden Era forward-shifted X-bracing. Master-grade East Indian rosewood back and sides pair with the top to unleash a chest-thumping degree of low-end heft and shimmering top-end detail. Lush, rich, and enveloping, the D-45’s inimitable tone has been championed by musicians ranging from the “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry (the musician who originally inspired the model in 1933) to Neil Young, David Crosby, John Mayer, and beyond. Moreover, the D-45’s playability is more than a match for its visual panache thanks to the genuine mahogany neck’s GE Modified Low Oval profile and 1.75-inch nut width. You also get a panoply of Standard series refresh upgrades, including a thinner beveled ebony fingerboard and a sleek vintage heel. Original prewar Martin D-45s are among the most sought-after instruments ever made — Martin’s refreshed Standard series brings the D-45 model ever closer to its historic beginnings, putting what many City Music’s guitarists consider to be the defining Martin dreadnought in your hands.

Timeless tonewood formula

Back in Martin’s legendary prewar era, a single tonewood combination stood above all others: spruce and rosewood. It was the standard-issue choice for Martin’s most aesthetically extravagant models, from the 28 series all the way up their flagship Style 45. And while mahogany now (rightfully so) enjoys an equal status in sound compared to rosewood, it’s tough to argue with the sheer visual elegance of finely grained rosewood and the sheer dynamic and expressive range of spruce.

Martin’s refreshed D-45 carries on this time-tested tradition, starting with a resonant and responsive solid spruce top, complete with sprawling inlay work around the top, rosette, and fingerboard extension. Underneath the top, Martin’s Golden Era forward-shifted X-bracing recalls the booming bass drawl of the brand’s mythologized prewar models to unleash a thunderous projection that will dominate any acoustic ensemble. It’s all topped off with rosewood back and sides that shimmer with crisp top-end chime, dense lows, and a rich harmonic depth that imbues your every note with copious harmonic complexity.

The Martin D-45 legacy

Martin avoided making guitars with too much “flashy ornamentation” during the first century or so of the company’s existence, arguing that it would detract from the tone and the dignity of the instruments. But when Gene Autry custom-ordered the biggest, fanciest acoustic Martin could muster in 1933, the company complied. Thus, the first D-45 was born. This beautiful dreadnought still boasts abalone pearl top, side, and back inlays, and its fingerboard features distinctive hexagonal Style 45 position inlays.

Martin’s most prestigious dreadnought guitar

The D-45 represents the most elegant dreadnought in Martin’s standard collection. You get it all with this guitar: a luxurious sound, gorgeous appointments, and the kind of playability that makes you want to pick it up again and again. It’s no coincidence that prewar D-45s are some of the most sought-after guitars in the world — and not just because they’re so rare; the D-45 model is simply the pinnacle of Martin’s premium brand.

Standard series: revisiting timeless Martin tradition

Considering the storied history of Martin’s acoustic guitar engineering and building practices, there’s no question that the company’s iconic models stand firm as the backbone of American steel-string instrument design. With this sentiment top of mind, Martin presents the refreshed Standard series: a lineup dedicated to reviving the looks and tone of the brand’s golden-era vintage models while introducing a complex set of modern performance enhancements. The result is a comprehensive update to Martin’s most revered range of instruments, combining tonal authenticity with the comfort and versatility of a contemporary instrument. Across-the-board changes include remarkably responsive GE (Golden Era) bracing, thinner fingerboards with beveled edges, a slick vintage-style heel, angled nuts, and GE belly bridges equipped with bone or ebony bridge pins. What’s more, the refreshed standard series introduces a fresh new trio of Martin models back into the fold, including the iconic 000-17, D-17, and OM-45. Refreshed with a plethora of musician-requested features, the Standard series harnesses the power of these legendary acoustics and takes center stage once again.

Martin D-45 Standard Features:

• A refresh to Martin’s iconic Standard series flagship dreadnought guitar, bringing several key specs back in line with the company’s golden-era models
• Solid spruce top supported by Golden Era forward-shifted X-bracing supplies massive unplugged punch and projection, along with a truly touch-sensitive response
• Solid rosewood back and sides deliver a deep and rich character with shimmering overtones, powerful low end, and clarity-packed highs
• Big-bodied Martin dreadnought design ensures ample, chest-thumping bass response
• Gorgeous shell inlay work around the top, back, rosette, and fingerboard extension is sure to catch any audience’s eye
• Easy-playing genuine mahogany neck, capped with a gloss finish and carved into Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval neck profile
• Sleek 16-in.-radius ebony fingerboard with stunning Style 45 hexagon inlays
• Gleaming gold open-back tuning machines preserve pitch-perfect stability and grant a touch of old-school charm
• Premium bone nut and compensated saddle, along with an ebony bridge and bone bridge pins
• Additional Standard series refresh features include a thinner fingerboard with comfortably beveled edges, a vintage-style heel, and an angled nut
• Additional Style 45 appointments include crisp white binding around the neck, headstock, body, and back; a dazzling multi-stripe rosette; and a faux tortoiseshell pickguard
• 1.75-in. nut width is slim enough for strummers and wide enough to accommodate fingerpickers
• Crowned with an iconic CMF Martin headstock inlay