Martin D-42 Special Acoustic Guitar

In conjunction with former Martin employee Dick Boak, Martin Guitar is proud to introduce a stunning high-end Dreadnought model: the D-42 Special.

The idea for this model began nearly 25 years ago when Martin installed its first laser engraving machine, and Boak began experimenting with various ways to utilize it. Boak created an intricate pen and ink illustration of a complex floral design that was meant to be laser engraved into a tortoise pickguard, but the material proved unable to be safely engraved. Fast-forward 23 years, Boak came across his original illustration and thought it would make a beautiful piece if inlaid with pearl. He was right! Working with Bill Seymour and Jeremy Chism at Pearlworks, the trio modified the artwork to allow for the detailed pearl inlay work. The resulting prototype won the approval of Chris Martin IV, who asked Boak to expand the design to the fingerboard and headstock.

The model also features premium-grade East Indian rosewood back and sides, with the highest grade of spruce selected for the soundboard. Scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing ensures the open projection for which Martin guitars are prized. Additional vintage-inspired appointments include antique white bindings; abalone inlay along the perimeter of the top, fingerboard extension, and rosette; a full gloss finish with top aging toner; and nickel open-gear tuning machines with butterbean knobs.

• MODEL: Martin D-42 Special
• CONSTRUCTION: Dovetail Neck Joint
• BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret
• TOP MATERIAL: Spruce
• TOP DETAIL: None
• ROSETTE: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
• BRACING PATTERN: Forward Shifted X Brace
• BRACE SHAPE: Scalloped
• BRACE MATERIAL: Spruce
• BRACE SIZE: 5/16″
• BACK MATERIAL: East Indian Rosewood
• BACK DETAIL: None
• BACK PURFLING/STRIP: Style 45
• SIDE MATERIAL: East Indian Rosewood
• SIDE DETAIL: None
• ENDPIECE: Antique White
• ENDPIECE INLAY: Multi-Stripe
• BINDING: Antique White
• TOP INLAY MATERIAL: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
• SIDE INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
• BACK INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
• NECK MATERIAL: Genuine Mahogany
• NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval
• NECK TAPER: High Performance Taper
• PLEK: Yes
• HEADSTOCK SHAPE: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
• HEADPLATE MATERIAL: Ebony
• HEADPLATE LOGO STYLE: Custom Inlay
• HEADPLATE BINDING MATERIAL: Antique White
• HEELCAP: Antique White
• FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Ebony
• SCALE LENGTH: 25.4″
• NECK JOINS BODY AT: 14th Fret
• FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-3/4”
• FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8”
• FINGERBOARD INLAY MATERIAL: MOP
• FINGERBOARD INLAY STYLE: Dick Boak Inlay Design
• FINGERBOARD BINDING MATERIAL: Antique White
• SIDE DOTS: Black
• BACK & SIDE FINISH: Gloss
• BACK & SIDE COLOR: None
• FINISH TOP: Gloss
• TOP COLOR: Aging Toner
• FINISH NECK: Gloss
• NECK COLOR: Dark Mahogany
• BRIDGE MATERIAL: Ebony
• BRIDGE STYLE: Modern Belly – Drop in Saddle
• BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-5/32″
• SADDLE: Compensated Bone
• SADDLE RADIUS: 16”
• TUNING MACHINES: Nickel Open Gear
• KNOB: Butterbean
• BRIDGE PIN MATERIAL: White Plastic
• BRIDGE PIN DOTS: Abalone
• PICKGUARD: Black Acrylic
• PICKGAURD INLAY: Custom Inlay
• CASE: 12C545 Martin 545 Geib hardshell
• LABEL: Paper Label Signed by CFM IV & Dick Boak, Numbered in Sequence with No Total