Martin D42 with Hardcase

The Martin D-42 is a highly-appointed acoustic guitar from C.F. Martin & Co.'s Standard Series, renowned for combining powerful, classic Dreadnought tone with exquisite visual details, particularly its elaborate abalone pearl inlays.

Here is an overview of its key features and specifications:

Key Features and Appointments

• Tone: It delivers the bold, projective sound typical of a Martin Dreadnought, characterized by massive bass response balanced with articulate highs and rich overtones, thanks to its premium tonewoods and bracing.

• Body Wood: Features a solid Sitka Spruce top (often with a Vintage Tone System or Aging Toner finish for a vintage look) paired with premium solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides. This combination is prized for its rich, dynamic tonal range.

• Bracing: Uses Forward-Shifted Scalloped X-Bracing (often GE-Scalloped on newer models) to maximize the top's resonance and provide an "opened-up," vintage-inspired sound with enhanced sustain.

• Inlay & Binding: The D-42 is visually striking, featuring:

  • Abalone Pearl Inlay along the perimeter of the top (often including a connecting link around the fingerboard extension, similar to the D-45).

  • Abalone Pearl Rosette and Style 45 Snowflake inlays on the Ebony fingerboard.

  • Antique White Binding for a vintage aesthetic.

• Neck Profile: The neck is typically crafted from Genuine Mahogany with a GE Modified Low Oval shape and a High-Performance Taper, designed for smooth playability.

Technical Specifications (Standard D-42)

The D-42 sits between the D-41 and the flagship D-45 in Martin's premium "40-Series," offering a high level of aesthetic embellishment and exceptional tone that is often considered more articulate and balanced than some other Dreadnought models.