One of the rarest examples of the Martin "pre-war" dreadnoughts is the D-42. The only one in existence is the custom model made in 1934 for Tex Fletcher. The guitar featured a style-42 pearl top inlay pattern, "Tex Fletcher" inlayed on the fingerboard, and the vintage forward-shifted scalloped X bracing pattern. Unlike the first D-45 made for Gene Autry, this guitar had incorporated Martin’s 14-fret neck found on their 1930 orchestra model OM-28.

Golden Era Tone
The sound engine of the "pre-war" vintage Martin D-42s was the forward-shifted, scalloped X bracing pattern. Found on Martin’s dreadnought guitars from 1931 to 1939, these dreadnought acoustic guitars are arguably the most prized, sought-after guitars in the world.

Martin dreadnoughts, such as the D-18, D-28, D-42 and D-45 had a forwarded-shifted, scalloped X-bracing pattern. This “Golden Era” bracing pattern gave the Martin dreadnought guitars a unique and identifiable tone. Highly valued for the clarity on the high end, and a punchy, defined bass, musicians and collectors soon realized that these instruments were unique and extremely collectible. No other acoustic guitar had the Martin tone, and as a result, everyone wanted one.

Vintage Tone Meets Modern Playability
Today, you can get that vintage tone of the 1930s combined with the playability of a modern guitar. Martin has returned to the vintage forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing pattern in this D-42 Standard Dreadnought acoustic guitar to give it what many consider the most treasured sound in acoustic guitars. And to accompany the improved sound, the playability has been dramatically improved.

This D-42 Standard's neck has been upgraded to feature a modern, modified low-oval neck, with a Performing Artist taper and 1-3/4” nut. The wider string spacing and comfortable neck profile allow a player to move up and down the neck with ease. The D-42 Standard Dreadnought has been “reimagined” to sound vintage and to play effortlessly.

Other Appointments
Along with an amazing sound and feel, Martin's D-42 Standard Dreadnought features a solid premium spruce top, premium solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, pearl top inlay, style-45 Snowflake fingerboard inlays, ebony bridge and fingerboard, hand-fit dovetail neck joint, Nitrocellulose lacquer, antique white binding, aging toner option, and bone nut and saddle.

Includes a hardshell case.