I am selling my 1986 Martin D-45 acoustic guitar in more than excellent condition with a naturally aged Top from 40 years of playing(no toner needed here). This Martin comes in a TKL Hardshell Case that looks exactly like a deluxe Martin Hardshell Case, but doesn't have a Martin Badge and is in excellent condition. This Martin D-45 was and still is the top of the line Martin. These guitars have the best tonewoods available, and are built lovingly by Martin luthiers who are the most experienced they have. It has a great, played-in tone with deep bass, and shimmering highs. I have cleaned, polished, oiled the fretboard, and restrung with Medium Martin Phosphor Bronze strings. You can take this Martin out of the box, and head to a bluegrass jam, and not miss a beat!!! Buy with confidence as we have 367 5* reviews here on Reverb, and many more in my local markets in Virginia and South Carolina.

A Golden Era Refresh of Martin’s Flagship Dreadnought

“Top-of-the-line” doesn’t even begin to describe the sheer elegance and jaw-dropping inlay work of Martin’s historic flagship dreadnought: the D-45. It’s among the most iconic instruments in Martin’s nearly 2-century history, and Martin’s Standard series D-45 only enhances the prestige and sound of the model with vintage-inspired appointments. Master grade East Indian Rosewood back and sides pair with the top to unleash a chest-thumping degree of low-end heft and shimmering top-end detail. Lush, rich, and enveloping, the D-45’s inimitable tone has been championed by musicians ranging from the “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry (the musician who originally inspired the model in 1933) to Neil Young, David Crosby, John Mayer, and beyond. Moreover, the D-45’s playability is more than a match for its visual panache thanks to the genuine mahogany neck’s GE Modified Low Oval profile and 1.75-inch nut width. Original prewar Martin D-45's are among the most sought-after instruments ever made — Martin’s Standard series brings the D-45 model ever closer to its historic beginnings, putting what many Southern Cross guitarists consider to be the defining Martin dreadnought in your hands.

Timeless tonewood formula

Back in Martin’s legendary prewar era, a single tonewood combination stood above all others: spruce and rosewood. It was the standard-issue choice for Martin’s most aesthetically extravagant models, from the 28 series all the way up their flagship Style 45. And while mahogany now (rightfully so) enjoys an equal status in sound compared to rosewood, it’s tough to argue with the sheer visual elegance of finely grained rosewood and the sheer dynamic and expressive range of spruce.

Martin’s D-45 carries on this time-tested tradition, starting with a resonant and responsive solid spruce top, complete with sprawling inlay work around the top, rosette, and fingerboard extension. Underneath the top, Martin’s booming bass drawl of the brand’s mythologized prewar models to unleash a thunderous projection that will dominate any acoustic ensemble. It’s all topped off with rosewood back and sides that shimmer with crisp top-end chime, dense lows, and a rich harmonic depth that imbues your every note with copious harmonic complexity.

The Martin D-45 legacy

Martin avoided making guitars with too much “flashy ornamentation” during the first century or so of the company’s existence, arguing that it would detract from the tone and the dignity of the instruments. But when Gene Autry custom-ordered the biggest, fanciest acoustic Martin could muster in 1933, the company complied. Thus, the first D-45 was born. This beautiful dreadnought still boasts abalone pearl top, side, and back inlays, and its fingerboard features distinctive hexagonal Style 45 position inlays.

Martin’s most prestigious dreadnought guitar

The D-45 represents the most elegant dreadnought in Martin’s standard collection. You get it all with this guitar: a luxurious sound, gorgeous appointments, and the kind of playability that makes you want to pick it up again and again. It’s no coincidence that prewar D-45s are some of the most sought-after guitars in the world — and not just because they’re so rare; the D-45 model is simply the pinnacle of Martin’s premium brand.

Serial Number: 464106

Tech Specs

String Type: Steel

Number of Strings: 6

Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed

Body Shape: D-45 Standard Dreadnought

Back & Sides Wood: Solid East Indian Rosewood

Top Wood: Solid Spruce

Top Finish: Gloss

Color: Naturally Aged

Bracing: Scalloped Forward Shifted X-bracing

Binding: Antique White

Neck Wood: Genuine Mahogany

Neck Finish: Gloss

Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval

Radius: 16"

Fingerboard Material: Ebony

Fingerboard Inlay: Style 45 Hexagon

Number of Frets: 20

Scale Length: 25.4"

Nut Width: 1.75"

Nut Material: Bone

Saddle Material: Compensated Bone

Bridge Material: Ebony

Tuning Machines: Nickel Open-gear

Strings: Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0, .013-.056

Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case

Manufacturer Part Number: 10Y25D45