In conjunction with former Martin employee Dick Boak, Martin Guitar is proud to introduce a stunning high-end Dreadnought model: the D-42 Special. The idea for this model began nearly 25 years ago when Martin installed its first laser engraving machine, and Boak began experimenting with various ways to utilize it. Boak created an intricate pen and ink illustration of a complex floral design that was meant to be laser engraved into a tortoise pickguard, but the material proved unable to be safely engraved. Fast-forward 23 years, Boak came across his original illustration and thought it would make a beautiful piece if inlaid with pearl. He was right! Working with Bill Seymour and Jeremy Chism at Pearlworks, the trio modified the artwork to allow for the detailed pearl inlay work. The resulting prototype won the approval of Chris Martin IV, who asked Boak to expand the design to the fingerboard and headstock. The model also features premium-grade East Indian rosewood back and sides, with the highest grade of spruce selected for the soundboard. Scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing ensures the open projection for which Martin guitars are prized. Additional vintage-inspired appointments include antique white bindings; abalone inlay along the perimeter of the top, fingerboard extension, and rosette; a full gloss finish with top aging toner; and nickel open-gear tuning machines with butterbean knobs.

Other specifications include:

• Body Size: D-14 Fret
• Finish Top: Gloss
• Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
• Back and Side Finish: Gloss
• Bracing Pattern: Forward Shifted X Brace
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Brace Shape: Scalloped
• Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4''
• Top Material: Spruce
• Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
• Back Material: East Indian Rosewood
• Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
• Side Material: East Indian Rosewood
• Electronics: None
• Electronics Options: Not Available
• Top Color: Aging Toner
• Bridge Style: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
• Binding: Antique White
• Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/32"
• Top Inlay Material: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
• Bridge Material: Ebony
• Top Detail: None
• Bridge Pin Material: White Plastic
• Pickguard: Black Acrylic
• Bridge Pin Dots: Abalone
• Pickguard Inlay: Custom Inlay
• Saddle: Compensated Bone
• Rosette: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
• Saddle Radius: 16"
• Brace Material: Spruce
• Back and Sides Color: None
• Brace Size: 5/16"
• Back Detail: None
• Back Purfling/Strip: Style 45
• Back Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
• Heelcap: Antique White
• Side Detail: None
• Endpiece: Antique White
• Side Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
• Endpiece Inlay: Multi-Stripe
• Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Finish Neck: Gloss
• Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8''
• Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
• Fingerboard Inlay Style: Dick Boak Inlay Design
• Fingerboard Inlay Material: Mother of Pearl
• Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
• Fingerboard Binding Material: Antique White
• Side Dots: Black
• Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
• Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear
• Headplate Material: Ebony
• Knob: Butter Bean
• Headplate Logo Style: Custom Inlay
• Headplate Binding Material: Antique White
• Case: Ply Hardshell
• Label: Paper Label Signed by CFM IV & Dick Boak, Numbered in Sequence with No Total
• Pleked: true
• 4 lbs 13 oz
• #2748958

For more information about the Martin D-42 Special, please contact us.