Description

The 2018 Martin D-42 is an absolute powerhouse—bold, elegant, and built to dominate the room with its sheer sonic authority. This is a flagship dreadnought, the kind of guitar that doesn’t just sing—it roars, with a voice that’s deep, resonant, and dripping with harmonic richness. Martin has spent nearly two centuries refining the craft of acoustic guitar making, and the D-42 stands as a testament to their legacy, blending old-world craftsmanship with modern playability in a way that few guitars can match.

At its heart, this beast features a premium Sitka spruce top, chosen for its balance of power, articulation, and dynamic responsiveness. The forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing unlocks the full potential of this top, allowing it to breathe and project with unmatched depth and clarity. Whether you're laying down a thunderous rhythm or delicately picking through a melody, every note rings out with a near-perfect balance of warmth, definition, and sustain.

Paired with the Indian rosewood back and sides, the D-42 delivers that iconic Martin dreadnought punch—massive bass response, rich midrange, and sparkling highs that cut through with shimmering brilliance. This is the sound of history, the sound that defined folk, country, rock, and bluegrass for generations. But the D-42 isn’t just about raw power—it’s about finesse. The genuine mahogany neck, shaped in Martin’s Modified Low Oval profile with a High Performance Taper, makes playing effortless, whether you’re strumming cowboy chords or navigating complex lead lines.

And then, there’s the bling. The D-42 doesn’t hold back when it comes to high-end aesthetics. Abalone inlays adorn the Style 45 snowflake fingerboard, rosette, and top, shimmering like fire under stage lights. The antique white binding with multi-stripe purfling gives the guitar a classic, refined edge, while the gold open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs add a touch of vintage class. Even the bridge pins are dressed up, featuring abalone dots for that extra touch of elegance.

With a 25.4" scale length, 1 3/4" nut width, and 2 5/32" bridge spacing, this guitar is built for comfort and precision, offering effortless playability whether you're digging in with a flatpick or fingerpicking with finesse. At just 4 lbs 4 oz, it’s lightweight yet robust, housed in a ply hardshell case for ultimate protection.

The Martin D-42 isn’t just a guitar—it’s a statement. A head-turning, room-filling masterpiece that blends raw power with intricate beauty. Whether you're playing on stage, in the studio, or on your back porch, this is the kind of instrument that inspires you to play louder, longer, and better.

Other specifications include:

Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: D-14 Fret
Top Material: Sitka Spruce
Rosette: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
Bracing Pattern: Forward Shifted X Brace
Brace Shape: Scalloped
Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
Brace Size: 5/16"
Back Material: Indian Rosewood
Back Purfling/Strip: Style 45
Endpiece: Antique White
Endpiece Inlay: Multi-Stripe
Binding: Antique White
Top Inlay Material: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
Side Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
Back Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
Nut Material: Bone
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style: Block Inlay
Headplate Binding Material: Antique White with Multi-Stripe
Heelcap: Antique White with Multi-Stripe
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Number of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone
Fingerboard Inlay Style: Style 45 Snowflake
Fingerboard Binding Material: Antique White with Multi-Stripe
Side Dots: Black
Back and Side Finish: Gloss
Finish Top: Gloss
Top Color: Aging Toner
Finish Neck: Gloss
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Style: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
Saddle: Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius: 16"
Tuning Machines: Gold Open Gear
Knob: Butterbean
Bridge Pin Material: White Plastic
Bridge Pin Dots: Abalone
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise
Case: Ply Hardshell
25.4" Scale Length
1 3/4" Nut Width
2 5/32" Bridge Spacing
4 lb 4 oz