Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (9)
$9,099.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (4)
$9,699.00
Reverb
$9,749.99 15 available New
Musician's Friend
5.0 (19)
$9,699.00
Thomann
$10,290.00
Gear4Music
£9,499.00

Average Price: $9,707

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Martin D-45 Acoustic". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the Martin D-45 Acoustic, the flagship dreadnought that effortlessly combines vintage appeal with modern playability. Crafted meticulously using premium materials and time-honored techniques, this guitar is a testament to Martin's commitment to quality and detail.

The D-45 is renowned for its distinctive tone, a result of the solid spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides. The heart of its unique sound lies in the forward-shifted scalloped "X" bracing, a characteristic found in Martins from the 1930s. This bracing pattern provides a warm, balanced tone with articulate bass and crisp treble, making it highly sought after by musicians and collectors alike.

The modified low-oval neck, featuring a slimmer taper and 1-3/4" nut, ensures comfortable fretting for any player, whether you're recording or performing. The D-45 does not merely look stunning; it's also a delight to play, inviting you to pick it up time and again.

The D-45's antique appointments, including butterbean gold tuners, 45-style pearl inlay and an aged toner finish, give it a luxurious prewar look. The ebony accents on the fingerboard and bridge provide crisp note articulation, adding to its premium feel and sound.

Key Features:

  • Solid spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides for a rich, full sound
  • Forward-shifted scalloped "X" bracing for unique tonal characteristics
  • Modified low-oval neck with slimmer taper and 1-3/4" nut for comfortable fretting
  • Antique appointments including butterbean gold tuners, 45-style pearl inlay and aged toner finish
  • Ebony fingerboard and bridge ensuring crisp note articulation
  • Dovetail neck joint for increased tonal transfer between the neck and body
  • Premium tonewoods that improve with age and playing time
  • Martin's flagship dreadnought acoustic, offering the best of the Martin standard series

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 Hexagon
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 Titanium Core Nickel, .012-.055
Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case

FAQs

What type of wood is used in the construction of the Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar?

The Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar features East Indian Rosewood for the back and sides and a Spruce top, providing a rich, resonant sound with excellent projection.

Is the Martin D-45 suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes, the Martin D-45's scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing and responsive tonewoods make it well-suited for fingerstyle playing, offering clarity and balance across the strings.

What is the neck profile of the Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar?

The Martin D-45 features a Modified Low Oval neck shape with a High Performance Taper, providing a comfortable grip and smooth playability for various playing styles.

Does the Martin D-45 come with a case?

Yes, the Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar comes with a hardshell case, ensuring protection and easy transport for your instrument.

How many frets does the Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar have?

The Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar has 20 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes and playability up the neck.

What kind of strings does the Martin D-45 use?

The Martin D-45 is equipped with Titanium Core Nickel strings, gauged .012-.055, which contribute to its vibrant tone and durability.

What are the tuning machines on the Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar?

The Martin D-45 features gold open gear tuning machines, providing precise tuning stability and a classic aesthetic.

Martin Guitar

Martin Guitar

A Word from Chris: The Martin D-45

Video thumbnail for A Word from Chris:  The Martin D-45 by Martin Guitar

A Word from Chris: The Martin D-45

Martin Guitar

Martin Guitar

Video thumbnail for Used 1977 Martin D-45 - How Does it Sound? by Acoustic Letter

Used 1977 Martin D-45 - How Does it Sound?

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin D-45 - Nothing Says You've Arrived Like a D-45! by Acoustic Letter

Martin D-45 - Nothing Says You've Arrived Like a D-45!

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin D-45 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar by Musician's Friend

Martin D-45 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for The Martin Guitar D-45 (2018) at Maury’s Music by Maury's Music

The Martin Guitar D-45 (2018) at Maury’s Music

Maury's Music

Maury's Music

Video thumbnail for Martin D-45 - How good is Martin's flagship guitar? by Walt Grace Vintage

Martin D-45 - How good is Martin's flagship guitar?

Walt Grace Vintage

Walt Grace Vintage

Video thumbnail for Martin Standard Series Guitars: D-45 by Martin Guitar

Martin Standard Series Guitars: D-45

Martin Guitar

Martin Guitar

Video thumbnail for Martin D-45 - EMPIRE MUSIC by Empire Music

Martin D-45 - EMPIRE MUSIC

Empire Music

Empire Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Superior craftsmanship with incredible attention to detail

  • Endless sustain and amazing playability, likened to a six string Steinway

  • Balanced, clear tone with perfect nuances and overtones

  • Distinctive Martin sound with a more musical and beautiful delivery

  • Clear distinction in design and sound quality above other Martin models

  • Ideal for clean fingerpicking with smoother playability

  • Top-of-the-line materials and sound quality representing Martin's best

  • Aesthetic appeal with a luxurious look and feel

  • Highly recommended for those seeking pure Martin tone

  • Out-of-the-box quality, no modifications needed

CONS

  • High cost, with other stunning guitars available for less

  • Not a significant improvement over some other Martin models for strumming

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D-45 Acoustic.

Build quality

  • Some owners have reported issues with back strap detachment due to subpar glue, especially in variable climates.

    Source
  • Tool marks and poor fretwork reported, particularly around the binding and fret ends, indicating a lack of attention to detail for a high-end model.

    Source
  • Several users noted misaligned inlays and binding miters, with gaps that could affect both aesthetics and potential structural integrity.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Initial string action may be high; adjustments to the bridge are often necessary for optimal fingerpicking ease.

    Source
  • Sweetwater's guitar inspection reportedly focuses on playability rather than cosmetic issues, which might allow some defects to pass through unnoticed.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Taylor 814ce offers a modern, bright sound, while the Gibson J-45 provides strong bass, contrasting with the Martin D-45's balanced tone.

    Source
  • Users compare the workmanship unfavorably to much cheaper guitars, mentioning brands like Firefly and Yamaha as having superior finish quality at a fraction of the price.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar's versatile tone suits a range of genres, from soft ballads to energetic folk tunes, ideal for players seeking a wide application.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners suggest Martin's quality control can be inconsistent, with reports of similar issues in multiple guitars, including neck humps and poor finishes.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Concerns raised about the authenticity of certain models, suggesting potential resale of counterfeit guitars after returns, even from reputable dealers.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Martin D-45 Acoustic review on gear-vault.com

gear-vault.com

The Martin D-45 Authentic is an almost mythical guitar, aiming to replicate pre-war craftsmanship with a $48,000 price tag. While it's an acoustic marvel in sound and construction—boasting hot hide glue and premium Brazilian rosewood—the astronomical cost raises eyebrows. The review humorously questions the practicality of using such a pricey instrument as a 'beater campfire guitar,' poking fun at its exorbitant price. Despite the allure of its vintage specs and luxurious materials, the D-45 Authentic's value proposition remains elusive, making it a luxury curiosity rather than a practical purchase for most musicians.

negative

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Mayer uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

...
Verified via YouTube

John Mayes uses a Martin D-45 in "Where The Light Is" to play the song ''In Your Atmosphere''. It's a signature guitar from Martin that is still available on the Martin website. Mayer also used this guitar for playing "In The Blood" and "I Guess I Just Feel Like" both on stage and recording sessions.

See how Jimi Hendrix uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist

The Isley Brothers

...
Verified via Photo

In Michael Heatley's book "Jimi Hendrix Gear", he discusses Hendrix's Martin D-45, which is said to be used on the recording of The Cry of Love album, on page 106.

See how Neil Young uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Neil Young

Singer, Guitarist

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

...
Verified via Photo

"For his touring acoustics, Young has been relying on a trio of Martins, all equipped with Cragg’s stereo FRAP (Flat Audio Response Pickup) transducers: the 1968 D-45 used to record much of 1972’s Harvest; “Hank,” an early Forties D-28 formerly owned by Hank Williams; and a second D-28 that Cragg tunes to what Young calls “A# modal” [low to high: A# F A# D# G A#]," reads this article.

See how Chris Squire uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Chris Squire

Singer, Bassist

Yes

...
Verified via Photo

Squire states in this question poll that he uses a Martin D-45.

See how Stephen Stills uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Stephen Stills

Singer, Guitarist

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

...
Verified via MusicRadar

This guitar was mentioned in Music Radar's interview with Stills.

"You know, I don't know specific years. This is not the kind of arcane shit that I remember. I remember cars. [Laughs] I had a Ferrari when we first got money in the Buffalo Springfield. I got a Martin D-45 and a Ferrari."

See how Neck Deep uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Neck Deep

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Sam is using a Martin D-45 acoustic whilst performing an acoustic set with Neck Deep band members Ben and Matt.

See how David Crosby uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

David Crosby

Singer, Guitarist

The Byrds

...
Verified via Photo

David playing a Martin D-45 and singing with the rest of C,S,N & Y

See how Steve Miller uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Steve Miller

Guitarist, Singer

Steve Miller Band

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo from 2015 we can clearly see Steve playing a Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar.

See how Laura Marling uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Laura Marling

Singer, Guitarist

Noah and the Whale

...
Verified via The Current from Minnesota Public Radio

"the one I've got with me now is a Martin D-45 or something, a Dreadnought. And I've got a couple of those, which makes me sound very privileged, but I have a touring collection of guitars"

See how Sam Bowden uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Sam Bowden

Guitarist

Neck Deep

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Sam is using a Martin D-45 acoustic whilst performing an acoustic set with Neck Deep band members Ben and Matt.

See how Tim Reynolds uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Tim Reynolds

Guitarist

Dave Matthews Band

...
Verified via Dave Matthews Band
See how Brad Gillis uses Martin D-45 Acoustic

Brad Gillis

Guitarist

Ozzy Osbourne

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"After that, I got into Martins. In 2004, I was on Craig’s List and there was a guy who lives near me who was selling quite a few Martins. I went to meet him, and it was Dave Casper, the former wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders. Being a major Raider fan, it was not only great to meet him and see all the memorabilia around his office but to see all these beautiful guitars. I ended up buying two D-45s from him an ’86 and a ’92 – and two Brazilian D-28s, a ’68, and the other one I think was a ’67. "

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-45 Acoustic, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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carlos_garcia

carlos_garcia

Gear IQ 30

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