C.F. Martin D-45 (2025)
C.F. Martin D-45 (2025)
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- Copenhagen : Out of stock
- Main warehouse : Out of stock
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The pinnacle of Martin's standard range. From 1933 to 1942, Martin built only 91 D-45s, and one of them has sold for more than a million dollars. The new D-45 is still built by hand in Nazareth, with higher-grade tonewoods and abalone hand-inlaid along the edges of the entire body. With the Golden Era bracing introduced in 2025, it is closer to the original 91 pre-war guitars than it has been in many years.
- Abalone hand-inlaid along the edges of the top, sides and back
- High-gloss mahogany neck and gold-plated tuners
- Supplied in a Martin hard case
Free delivery to parcel shops in Denmark over DKK 2,000Free pick-up in Aarhus or Copenhagen
Delivery to a parcel shop in Denmark costs DKK 49 and is free when your cart totals DKK 2,000 or more incl. VAT. Home delivery in Denmark costs DKK 89. Pick-up in Aarhus or Copenhagen is free. Shipping prices and delivery options for your country are shown at checkout.
For pick-up, please wait for our email saying your order is ready. If the item is in the other shop or at our main warehouse, it can take up to 4 working days.
Delivery and pick-upChecked and adjusted before shippingSo it is ready to play when it arrives.
We check and adjust the instrument before we send it to you.
Free check-up after 3–6 monthsDrop by in Aarhus or Copenhagen, no appointment needed
Free check-up of your instrument after 3–6 months. Just drop by in Aarhus or Copenhagen, no appointment needed. New strings are not included.
14-day right of withdrawalFrom the day you receive the item
You can let us know online and return the item in one of our shops or send it back. You pay the return shipping. Items made or adjusted to your specification may be excluded.
Withdrawal termsDescription
91 guitars until 1942
The first D-45 was built in 1933 for Gene Autry, who wanted the largest and most beautiful Martin that could be made. Until 1942, when Martin stopped production of guitars with abalone binding during World War II, 91 were built. In July 2025, Martin told of an early D-45 that sold for over a million dollars without having had a famous owner.
The old D-45s hang today in collectors' homes and in museums. You can take the new one home and play it, and with the Golden Era bracing from 2025, it is built closer to the old ones than in many years.
Back in 1968
In 1968, Martin brought the D-45 back into the range. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young each bought one when it returned, and Jimi Hendrix's D-45 is part of the collection at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle today.
The ornamentation
Abalone is inlaid along the edge of the top, sides, and bottom, and the rosette is in abalone. The fretboard has Style 45 Hexagon inlays, the headstock has an inlaid Martin logo and binding, and the tuners are gold-plated with butterbean buttons. Under the ornamentation, the construction is the same as on the D-28: grand top, East Indian rosewood, and forward-shifted X-bracing. The neck is mahogany.
The 2025 update
In 2025, the D-45 received Golden Era bracing, inspired by Martin's pre-war guitars. The scalloping makes the bracing less stiff, so the top vibrates freely, even when you play lightly. This gives longer sustain, and the sound leans towards an old Martin. The neck received a new profile, Golden Era Modified Low Oval, the fretboard became thinner, and the nut and heel were reshaped.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between the D-45 and the D-28?
The top, sides, and bottom are made of the same woods, and they have the same bracing type and dimensions. The D-45 also has a high-gloss mahogany neck, abalone around the entire body, Style 45 Hexagon inlays, and gold-plated tuners.
Why does the D-45 cost more than the D-28?
Because everything is a step up. For the Style 45, Martin uses a higher grade of spruce and rosewood than for the D-28. The neck is genuine mahogany with a high-gloss finish, while the D-28 has select hardwood with a satin finish. The abalone binding runs around the entire body and is inlaid by hand, the headstock has an inlaid logo and binding, and the tuners are gold-plated. The construction and bracing are the same as on the D-28, so it is the wood, materials, and craftsmanship you are paying for.
What is the difference between the D-45 and the D-42?
The D-42 has abalone along the edge of the top and in the rosette, but not around the sides and bottom. The D-45 has abalone all the way around.
Is the top Sitka?
It can be. Martin only specifies spruce on the Standard series, and the top is either Sitka or Lutz spruce. Both are solid spruce.
Does a case or gig bag come with it?
Yes, Martin's hard case is included.
Specifications
| Body | Dreadnought, 14 frets clear of the body |
| Top | Solid spruce, high-gloss, Aging Toner, abalone binding |
| Sides and bottom | Solid East Indian rosewood, high-gloss, abalone binding |
| Bottom stripe | Style 45 with black stripe |
| Bracing | Forward-shifted X, Golden Era scalloped, 5/16" |
| Neck | Mahogany, Golden Era Modified Low Oval, High-Performance Taper, high-gloss |
| Fretboard | Ebony, 20 frets, Style 45 Hexagon in abalone, antique white binding, Plek-treated |
| Scale length | 645 mm (25.4") |
| Nut width | 44.5 mm (1 3/4") |
| Nut | Ebony, Golden Era Modern Belly, compensated nut in the neck, nut pins in the neck with abalone dot |
| Bridge | Bone |
| Binding and rosette | Antique white binding, abalone rosette |
| Headstock | East Indian rosewood, Block Inlay Golden Era logo, binding |
| Pickguard | Faux tortoise |
| Tuners | Gold-plated, open, butterbean buttons |
| Strings | Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0, phosphor bronze, medium |
| Case | Martin's hard case is included |
Specifications
| All Solid | Yes |
|---|---|
| Body Size | Dreadnought |
| Top Wood | Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | East Indian rosewood |
| Finish | High gloss |
| Colour | Natural, Aging Toner |
| Electronics | No |
| Cutaway | No |
| Construction | Dovetail |
| Bracing | Golden Era Forward Shifted X-bracing |
| Bracing | Scalloped |
| Neck material | Mahogany |
| Neck profile | Golden Era Modified Low Oval - High-Performance Taper |
| Radius | 16" |
| Fingerboard material | Ebony |
| Fingerboard inlays | Abalone Style 45 Hexagon |
| Number of frets | 20 |
| PLEK processed | Yes |
| Scale length | 25.4" (645mm) |
| Nut width | 1.75" (44.45mm) |
| Nut material | Bone |
| Saddle material | Bone, compensated |
| Bridge material | Ebony |
| Tuners | Gold Open Gear w/ butterbean knobs |
| Strings | CF Martin MA550T Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Medium (.013 – .056) 92/8 Phosphor Bronze |
| Case/gig bag | Hardshell Case |
Questions and answers
Questions about this product?
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About C.F. Martin & Co.
C.F. Martin & Co. is one of the most respected makers of acoustic guitars. Since 1833, Martin has shaped the development of the steel-string acoustic guitar, and for many guitarists around the world a Martin is the one to own.
Akustikken has been the Danish importer and distributor of C.F. Martin & Co. since 1984.