Martin D-45
Encyclopedia
The Martin D-45 is a steel-string acoustic guitar
made by C. F. Martin & Company
. The model has been manufactured from 1933 to 1942, and again since 1968. The guitar was originally made of Brazilian rosewood
. Martins are ranked among the highest-quality as well as among the most expensive guitars, and the D-45, regarded as one of the first "luxury guitars," was listed in 2011 as the most valuable production-model guitar.
, who in 1933 ordered "the biggest, fanciest Martin he could." This guitar is now encased in glass in the Gene Autry Museum of the American West
in Los Angeles
, California
. The next year, one was made for Jackie "Kid" Moore, a "12-year old singing cowboy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin." These first two had a 12-fret neck; most others (except for the 6th, made in 1937) made afterward had a 14-fret neck. Two more were made in 1936 and two again in 1937; the D-45 wasn't catalogued until 1938. Other versions included a D-45S (with a special neck, 1939) and a D-45L (left handed, 1940). The D-45 was the top model of the dreadnought line, which also included the D-28 model, priced much lower.
In 1942, as a result of World War II
, production of the D-45 (as well as other Martin models such as the archtops
) was officially discontinued, though half a dozen units were made in February 1943. In this first series of D-45s, only 91 instruments were made.
and Jimi Hendrix
. In 1971, a 12-string model was made, and in 1973, another one.
Longworth also designed a more affordable model, the D-41, making sure that the pearl inlays were done in such a way that the guitar could not be modified to look like a D-45.
Since 1968 Martin has produced a number of special versions, including the C.F. Martin Sr. Commemorative D-45 (200 guitars in 1996) and the C.F. Martin Sr. Deluxe D-45 (91 guitars in 1996).
ranking of valuable guitars saw the D-45 (models made between 1936 and 1942) in first place, worth between $250,000 and $400,000. George Gruhn
remarked that pre-war D-45s fetch "more than 20 times as much as a recent issue D-45, even though there is relatively little difference in design."
Steel-string acoustic guitar
A steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
made by C. F. Martin & Company
C. F. Martin & Company
C.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
. The model has been manufactured from 1933 to 1942, and again since 1968. The guitar was originally made of Brazilian rosewood
Dalbergia nigra
Dalbergia nigra, commonly known as the Bahia Rosewood, Jacarandá da Bahia, Brazilian Rosewood, Rio Rosewood, Jacarandá De Brasil, Pianowood, Caviuna, or Obuina, is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family....
. Martins are ranked among the highest-quality as well as among the most expensive guitars, and the D-45, regarded as one of the first "luxury guitars," was listed in 2011 as the most valuable production-model guitar.
First series, until 1943
The first D-45 was a dreadnought guitar based on the D-28 with luxury ornamentation (the "45" designation), made especially for Gene AutryGene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
, who in 1933 ordered "the biggest, fanciest Martin he could." This guitar is now encased in glass in the Gene Autry Museum of the American West
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The next year, one was made for Jackie "Kid" Moore, a "12-year old singing cowboy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin." These first two had a 12-fret neck; most others (except for the 6th, made in 1937) made afterward had a 14-fret neck. Two more were made in 1936 and two again in 1937; the D-45 wasn't catalogued until 1938. Other versions included a D-45S (with a special neck, 1939) and a D-45L (left handed, 1940). The D-45 was the top model of the dreadnought line, which also included the D-28 model, priced much lower.
In 1942, as a result of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, production of the D-45 (as well as other Martin models such as the archtops
Archtop guitar
An archtop guitar is a steel-stringed acoustic or semi-acoustic guitar with a full body and a distinctive arched top, whose sound is particularly popular with blues and jazz players.Typically, an archtop guitar has:* 6 strings...
) was officially discontinued, though half a dozen units were made in February 1943. In this first series of D-45s, only 91 instruments were made.
Second series, from 1968
The luxurious D-45 resembled the more pedestrian D-28 model enough to entice entrepreneurial guitar builders and craftsmen to modify the latter to look like the former by adding a pearl border and changing the stamps on the neck block, so they could sell them as the more expensive model. One of those craftsmen was Mike Longworth, a banjo player from Tennessee, who was hired by the Martin company specifically to bring the D-45 back. The new D-45, released in 1968, cost $1,200 and was the most expensive flat-top steel-string guitar made in the United States. By 1969, Martin sold twice as many D-45s as during the entire 1933-1942 run; customers included David CrosbyDavid Crosby
David Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
. In 1971, a 12-string model was made, and in 1973, another one.
Longworth also designed a more affordable model, the D-41, making sure that the pearl inlays were done in such a way that the guitar could not be modified to look like a D-45.
Since 1968 Martin has produced a number of special versions, including the C.F. Martin Sr. Commemorative D-45 (200 guitars in 1996) and the C.F. Martin Sr. Deluxe D-45 (91 guitars in 1996).
Post-1968 models, selection
- D-45S (with 12-fret neck and slotted peghead, similar to 1936 models, 1969-1993)
- SD12-45 (12-string, two made in 1971 and 1973)
- D-45LE (with hexagonal outlines, 1987)
- D-45 Deluxe (with upgraded binding, inlays, etc., 1993)
- D-45 Gene Autry (12-fret neck, "Gene Autry" on fingerboard, 1994)
- D-45SS (Stephen Stills signature model, based on Stills' 1939 model, 1999)
- D-45 Celtic Knot
- D-45 Golden Era
- D-45 Authentic
Value
Models produced between 1933 and 1942 (also referred to as "pre-war Martins") are among the most expensive production-model guitars ever made. A listing for $135,000 was noted in a 2005 publication, and in 2011, a Vintage GuitarVintage Guitar
Vintage Guitar is a guitar magazine, published monthly since 1986. Writers for the magazine include Seymour W. Duncan, George Gruhn, and Wolf Marshall...
ranking of valuable guitars saw the D-45 (models made between 1936 and 1942) in first place, worth between $250,000 and $400,000. George Gruhn
George Gruhn
George Gruhn is a writer and businessman. He is an expert on vintage American guitars and related instruments. He opened Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1970 and has sold guitars to musicians such as Eric Clapton, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Billy Gibbons, Rick Nielsen, John Hiatt, and...
remarked that pre-war D-45s fetch "more than 20 times as much as a recent issue D-45, even though there is relatively little difference in design."
Notable owners
- David CrosbyDavid CrosbyDavid Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
, who retired his own D-45 after the Stephen Stills signature version was produced - Marty StuartMarty StuartJohn Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
owns a D-45 which was formerly owned by Hank Williams, Jr.Hank Williams, Jr.Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
, who gave it to Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, who gave it to Stuart - Stephen StillsStephen StillsStephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
owns a 1939 D-45 - Travis TrittTravis TrittJames Travis Tritt is an American country music singer from Marietta, Georgia. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 2000s, he released two albums on Columbia Records and one for the defunct...
owns a custom D-45