C. F. Martin D-42 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1999), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 682989, natural finish, Indian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

This is a great sounding modern (for us) Martin Dreadnought, a 1999 pearl-bordered D-42, one of the higher-end stock models made in Nazareth. The Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood used on this instrument are very evenly grained, finished with a thin gloss nitrocellulose lacquer. The top features a tastefully applied aging toner, which gives it a more natural "vintage" look without being as "yellow" as some.

The D-42 is distinguished by beautiful boldly colored abalone around the top edge, fingerboard extension and soundhole rosette, with multiple layer grained Ivoroid bindings around body and neck. The mahogany neck is topped with an ebony fingerboard featuring lovely cut pearl snowflake inlay. The triple bound, rosewood-faced headstock has the classic 1930's style C. F. Martin logo executed in Abalone and mounts gold plated Martin branded openback G-98 style tuners with "butterbean" buttons. While not a limited edition model, this is still one of Martin's "pride and joy" guitars and a very deluxe instrument.

Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

The guitar shows mostly fairly light signs of use with only mostly scuffing and handling marks but shows some deeper scratches on the top just forward of the upper waist and on the center of the back. There is also a small bash mark on the lower side at the turn of the lower bout. The guitar remains completely crack free, with the only repair work being a spacer added to the truss rod nut inside the body, which is not easily visible. A strap button was added to the heel.

This now 15-year aged-in D-42 plays beautifully offering a powerful sound with the projection and deep tone one would expect from a fine rosewood dreadnought, but never gets muddy. The guitar is housed in the original black molded hardshell case Overall Excellent - Condition.