Up for sale, a 1973 Martin D-45 in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. An honestly-played and thoroughly maintained example of Martin's flagship dreadnought, the D-45 can trace its genesis to singing cowboy Gene Autry, who requested Martin make him the "biggest, fanciest Martin" for the tidy sum of $200 in 1933. Only a handful of D-45s were produced in Martin's Pre-War years, and the model has historically been available in exceedingly small quantities compared to Martin's other dreadnought output.

This Martin has received all the maintenance due its vintage, benefitting from a neck reset, refret with slender fretwire, and a modern carved bone nut and compensated saddle. Abalone marquetry is liberally used throughout, framing the top, rims, back, soundhole, and fretboard extension, with additional ivoroid body binding, and hexagonal abalone inlay extending the length of the fretboard. Further top-tier features include gold hardware and a bound headstock face with vertical C.F. Martin inlay.

Tonewoods comprise a Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides, a mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge. The original bridge plate has also been retained and repaired. Tonally, this Martin delivers a bold and brilliant sound indicative of a vintage acoustic that’s been worked-in over decades. The wound strings are round and woody, not overly booming yet focused, offering plenty of dreadnought muscle. Midrange frequencies are crisp and balanced, while the trebles have a sweet cut without being overly spanky. Weighing 5lbs 1oz, this D-45 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Deep soft V, measuring .905” 1st fret, 1.055” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, abalone hexagon inlays
-Frets: slender (refret), no wear
-Scale Length: 25.4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone (modern)
-Tuners: Grover Rotomatic, gold-plated

Body Specs:

-Wood: Sitka spruce, Indian rosewood
-Bracing: X-bracing
-Bridge Ebony, abalone dot pins (original), modern tall compensated bone saddle, original bridge plate
-Serialization: Heel block stamp dates to 1973

The center seam has been reglued, both behind the bridge and between the bridge and soundhole, with two additional shorter repaired cracks on either side of the seam behind the bridge’s “belly” (these repairs can easily be mistaken for the bookmatched grain on the spruce behind the bridge in the same area). There are two additional repaired splits extending from either side of the replaced pickguard, while the rosewood back and rims are crack-free. The guitar exhibits pick wear on the bass side of the soundhoole, some chipping through the ambered clear coat along some of the body binding, buckle rash central to the back and additional light wear though the lacquer on the treble-side rim at the waist, and some small dings and scuffs on the rosewood consistent with use. A new oversized, 1/4" endpin has also been fitted, and a strap button has been added to the neck heel. The smooth nitro lacquer gloss has been retained on the neck profile, with just a couple shallow marks and light palm wear central to the carve behind frets 1-3.

A modern premium TLK black tolex hardshell case is included.