C.F. Martin D-300

Description

In 2016, Martin celebrated the construction of its two millionth guitar, an achievement that would be impressive for any guitar manufacturer, and almost inconceivable for a maker that primarily produces exclusive, hand-built guitars in the United States. Now, Martin marks another impressive milestone with the D-300—a stunning guitar inspired by Martin’s ultra-limited-edition D-3 Millionth guitar, of which only three were produced.

The D-300 mirrors the D-3 model with a combination of Adirondack spruce and Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides. Martin has gone to great lengths to pair these tonewoods with the most striking inlay work ever performed on a guitar. This inlay work includes silver/maple/goldwood rings on the top, as well as abalone/maple inlays on the back of the guitar. The fretboard is bound in maple and adorned with a multicolored arrangement of inlaid branches and leaves, while the ebony bridge is filled with eye-catching triangular inlays and fitted with emerald-adorned Liquidmetal frets.

The ebony-colored pickguard is decorated with a map of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where inlaid rubies mark the locations of Martin’s historic factories. The whole is rounded off with a jewel-encrusted Martin & Co. logo on the headstock, Waverly tuners with gold Liquidmetal posts, and a staggering number of Moravian stars scattered across the headstock and body. The D-300 is an artistic celebration of Martin’s past, future, and all the men and women who have helped create C.F. Martin & Co.

Martin has always celebrated its milestones. In 2016, Martin celebrated its two millionth guitar with great fanfare, while the 2.5 millionth guitar followed just a few years later, in 2022. In 2025, Martin is celebrating three million guitars produced with the D-3 Millionth and the D-300. Only three D-3 Millionth guitars were made, while 30 D-300 models will be produced.

The D-300’s ornate Adirondack top symbolizes Martin’s journey from 1833 to the present day. The maple and silver stripes on the top mimic the annual rings of an American maple tree, with each ring representing a year in C.F. Martin’s history. Each gold dot on the top marks a significant moment in Martin’s 192-year history, and the ebony-colored pickguard reflects the locations of Martin’s three factories in Nazareth, each marked with an inlaid ruby and surrounded by a row of leaves. And that is only the beginning of this guitar’s exquisite visual elements.

Since the D-300’s top replicates the rings of a maple tree, this theme continues on the D-300’s ebony fretboard. The fretboard is adorned with extensive abalone inlays depicting the branches and leaves of a maple tree. This striking design begins with a vibrant multicolored pattern that gradually transitions into autumn colors as it approaches the guitar’s headstock. The fretboard is also bound with a flamboyantly flamed European maple binding. The D-300 is crowned with a headstock featuring a striking inlaid Martin & Co. logo, a set of Moravian stars, and gold Waverly tuners.

Almost every American guitar builder can trace their history back to a single manufacturer or family, but few can match Martin’s history. After all, the same Martin family that founded the company back in 1833 still owns it today. The Martin family often points out, however, that the name on the guitars’ headstock is not simply Martin—it is Martin & Co. The D-300’s Brazilian rosewood back celebrates the latter and honors the countless Martin employees who have helped build the company’s legacy. The exquisitely beautiful abalone-maple on the back of this guitar symbolizes all the men and women who have worked for C.F. Martin—both at its beginnings in New York and in its hometown of Nazareth.

From the small parlor guitars of the 19th century to the ultra-versatile orchestra models and even six-string jumbo guitars—yes, Martin’s history is packed with guitars of every size. When Martin designed the D-300 and the D-3 Millionth, the choice was nevertheless clear—it had to be a dreadnought. No other body shape is so fundamental to Martin’s legacy and its influence on 20th-century rock, folk, pop, bluegrass, and country music. Today, it is the most popular body shape, and it was originally a Martin creation. The D-300 honors Martin’s most beloved body shape.

It is easy to be captivated by the D-300’s mesmerizing inlays and adornments, and no one would blame you for placing this masterfully crafted guitar in a display case to bask in its glory. That said, a purely cosmetic creation would not be a worthy way to honor Martin’s three million guitars. The D-300 is therefore built on the finest tonewoods our earth can produce, with a pre-war combination of an Adirondack grand top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides.

Adirondack spruce, which was once standard on every Martin guitar, is prized by flatpickers and strummers for its superior projection, crisp tone, and fantastic ability to mature over time. It is a favorite among guitarists who demand exceptional volume and a tone that remains intimate regardless of the dynamic level.

The most remarkable thing about the D-300, however, is undoubtedly its Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Brazilian rosewood is without question the most coveted wood on the planet because of its rich, authoritative voice and its extremely limited supply. These exquisite tonewoods create a guitar that produces an eminent Martin dreadnought tone—one of the most recognizable and revered acoustic guitars in the world’s history.

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