Martin D42SPECIAL Acoustic Guitar - Natural

6-string Acoustic Guitar with Spruce Top, Rosewood Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Dick Boak-designed Pearl Inlays - Natural

Martin’s D-42 series is legendary for taking their classic dreadnought design and loading it up with just about every high-class visual appointment in the book, and the D-42 Special manages to take that formula to bold new heights! Under the hood, the D-42 Special is very similar to a standard D-42, boasting a premium-grade Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides, and scalloped forward-shifted X-braces to deliver Martin’s signature roaring low-end power and lush, resonant highs. However, the thing that makes the D-42 Special so special is the beautifully intricate floral inlay work on the fingerboard, headstock, and even the pickguard! Finally, if you ever manage to tear your eyes away from this guitar’s exquisite visuals, its comfortable Modified Low-oval profile mahogany neck and jet-black ebony fingerboard make the D-42 Special an absolute joy to play.

Dick Boak-designed pickguard inlays

Close to a quarter-century in the making, the Martin D-42 Special’s floral pickguard was designed by Dick Boak when Martin received their very first laser engraving machine. Unfortunately, the design was simply not feasible at the time, but with modern engraving technology and the help of Bill Seymour and Jeremy Chism at Pearlworks, Dick’s dream is now a reality! Originally a one-off, the design was so well received by Chris Martin IV that Dick’s floral pattern has been extended to both the fingerboard and headstock, resulting in a truly unique spin on the iconic D-42 formula.

High-performance neck profile

While the D-42 Special might look like a vintage classic, it sports a Modified Low-oval neck profile that’s built for modern performance. This neck’s slightly thinned-down style is comfortable for players of almost any genre, with just enough girth to reduce fatigue when playing through a long set or practice session. What’s more, the smooth ebony fingerboard boasts Plek’d frets for an exceptionally precise, buzz-free playability.

Exquisite looks and tone

A quality acoustic guitar is all about the wood, and the D-42 Special serves up a classic tonewood cocktail with no compromises. Its Sitka spruce top yields big projection and spectacular note clarity. Its beautifully figured East Indian rosewood back and sides contribute a deep, warm, and projective bass response that’s enhanced by its large dreadnought body. This attractive acoustic also features a mahogany neck and easy-playing ebony fingerboard. Lastly, the D-42 Special boasts a scalloped forward-shifted X-braced pattern that increases its volume and tone quality — a feature guitarists here at have come to appreciate over years of playing other bracing designs.

SPECS:

• 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: Hardshell