Pricing and availability
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Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $6,114
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Martin D-42". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Experience the epitome of acoustic excellence with the Martin D-42, an instrument that resonates with the rich heritage of Martin's craftsmanship. This classic dreadnought, meticulously built with premium tonewoods like East Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce, produces a symphony of sounds; from crisp highs and robust midrange to warm lows.
The D-42's dreadnought body shape ensures impressive volume and projection, allowing the depth of its tone to take center stage. The delicate balance of rich tone and volume makes this guitar a versatile choice, able to adapt to a broad spectrum of musical styles.
Its elegance lies in the details. The D-42 boasts of mother of pearl dot inlays, a tortoise pickguard, and an aged toner finish, enhancing its timeless aesthetics. The guitar's scalloped "X" bracing amplifies its resonance, delivering an open, vibrant sound that appeals to musicians of all genres.
With the High Performance Taper mahogany neck, the D-42 offers modern playability without compromising the iconic Martin dreadnought strum. This guitar, a true testament to Martin's over 180 years of guitar-making tradition, is hand-assembled by expert luthiers, ensuring an instrument that sounds, plays, and looks like no other.
Key Features:
- Premium tonewoods: East Indian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top
- Dreadnought body shape for impressive volume and projection
- Elegant appointments: mother of pearl dot inlays, tortoise pickguard, aged toner finish
- Scalloped "X" bracing for resonant, open sound
- High Performance Taper mahogany neck for modern playability
- Hand-assembled by expert luthiers at Martin
- Versatile tone suitable for a wide range of musical styles
- Bone nut and saddle, ebony fretboard and bridge
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Back & Sides Wood | East Indian Rosewood |
| Top Wood | Spruce |
| Finish | Gloss |
| Body Bracing | Scalloped Forward Shifted X-bracing |
| Binding | Antique White |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper |
| Radius | 16" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Abalone Style 45 Snowflake |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 25.4" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Bone |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Tuning Machines | Gold Open Gear |
| Strings | Lifespan 2.0 92/8 Phosphor Bronse, .013-.056 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What type of wood is used in the construction of the Martin D-42?
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The Martin D-42 features a spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, providing a rich and balanced tone with excellent projection.
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How would you describe the neck profile of the Martin D-42?
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The Martin D-42 has a modified low oval neck shape with a high performance taper, offering comfortable playability for a variety of hand sizes.
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Is the Martin D-42 suitable for fingerstyle playing?
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Yes, the Martin D-42's scalloped forward shifted X-bracing enhances its responsiveness, making it well-suited for fingerstyle playing.
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Does the Martin D-42 come with a case?
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Yes, the Martin D-42 comes with a hardshell case to protect the guitar during transport and storage.
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What is the scale length of the Martin D-42?
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The Martin D-42 has a scale length of 25.4 inches, which contributes to its full sound and playability.
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Are the tuning machines on the Martin D-42 reliable?
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The Martin D-42 is equipped with gold open gear tuning machines, known for their smooth operation and reliable tuning stability.
Videos
Paul Davids
$5000,- VS $150,- guitar | Sound Comparison | Martin D-42 |
$5000,- VS $150,- guitar | Sound Comparison | Martin D-42 |
Paul Davids
Used Martin D42 - How does it sound?
Acoustic Letter
Martin D-45 vs D-42 Guitar Shootout!
Acoustic Letter
Martin D42 Dreadnought Demo
Guitar Center
Petrilli Picks: 2013 Martin D-42 | Norman's Rare Guitars
Normans Rare Guitars
Martin D-42 1999 Review www.eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas
eddievegas1
Martin D-41 vs D-42 vs D-45 - Powerhouse Martin Guitar Comparison!
Acoustic Letter
Martin D-42 Review
Acoustic Letter
Martin 2018 D-42 Review & Demo
Alamo Music Center
Martin D-42 - The Hidden Gem with Big Bass
Acoustic Letter
Martin D-42 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Musician's Friend
Martin D-42 Acoustic Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
No Talking...Just Tones | Martin Standard Series | D-42
Peach Guitars
Martin D42 Guitar what does it sound FLYMUSIC
Fly Music
"After the Goldrush" by Neil Young | Martin D-41 & Martin D-42
The Music Emporium
MARTIN D42
zack il bianco
Martin D-42 Natural
Not Just Guitars
Martin D-42 Acoustic Guitar | Live Demo
Wearemusicmart
Martin D-42 (2025) – Demo & Tone Showcase | Guitar Gallery South Africa
Guitar Gallery
Martin D-42 ( 1996 )
Poodpad Strings
Martin D-42 DEMO | Souman Music
Souman Music
Reviews
PROS
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Rich, deep tones with pronounced lows and highs
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Incredible projection and warm, booming sound across strings
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Beautiful craftsmanship and artistic cosmetic details
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Perfect neck size with a 1 3/4” nut for comfortable playability
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"Golden Era" tone surpassing other high-end models
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Sound improves with time and play
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Plays like a dream for fingerstyle and thumbpick players
CONS
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Pricey compared to other models
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D-42.
Build quality
Features and functionality
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Pre-reimagined D-42 has a nut width of 1-11/16", while reimagined models have 1-3/4".
Source -
Color of the guitar top can darken naturally from UV exposure or through an "aging toner" applied at manufacture.
Source -
Pre-reimagined D-42 models have open tuners.
Source -
The 2025 D-42 features a thinner fingerboard with rolled edges, enhancing comfort and playability, particularly noticeable in the lower frets.
Source -
The 2025 D-42 bridge now omits snowflake inlays, a change appreciated by some users.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Maintaining room temperature and humidity levels between 40-60% can help prevent binding issues.
Source
User experience
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Some owners prefer the natural UV-induced darkening over the applied aging toner for its gradual effect.
Source -
Owners note that the 2025 D-42 sounds more balanced with a sweeter treble tone, possibly offering more texture than earlier models.
Source -
The neck, still labeled as MLO profile, feels slightly fuller in the lower frets, which some players find advantageous.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
According to the Famous Martin Owners page on the C.F. Martin website, Kirk Hammett plays a D-42.
In the "Rig Rundown" by Premier Guitar, Peter Frampton is noted for using a customized version of the Martin D-42, crafted by Martin luthier Dick Boak. This guitar is typically strung with D'Addario or Elixir strings.
According to Martin's website, Isbell uses Martin D-42.
He plays often this guitar, even if it's not his main guitar, you can see he plays with this guitar in many live songs.
Jan Borysewicz tested the Martin D-42 acoustic guitar, as shared on his official Instagram. He expressed interest in adding it to his collection after enjoying its sound during a session in September 2021.
Seen here playing his 2003 Martin D-42 Dreadnought
Photographic evidence, but also chatter in his forum here.
http://www.davidgrayforum.com/threads/martin-000c-david-gray-custom-guitar.469/
For those who may be wondering the model is of David's Martin guitar with the Mother of Pearl inlay in the headstock; its a 1998 Martin D-42. David currently keeps and plays the guitar in Nashville Tuning. If you want a new D42, it'll cost you a cool $5,500.
This is One of Cody’s main guitars, it is a D42 with the pickguard removed.
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On Jess's official Instagram, he can be seen playing a Martin D-42.
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On Parker's official Instagram, you can see him playing this very ornate Martin D-42. This appears to be correct because of the inlay styles, rosette, decorative binding, and bridge inlays.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin D-42, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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