Martin D-42K

2005 D-42K, all has been stated. Exceptional workmanship, stock factory installed bone nut and saddle. Stunning curly/quilted Koa mix with superb matching.

Very well balanced with a slight emphasis on the mids and highs. Very good clarity between notes and crisp harmonic overtones. Bass is solid. Quite a dynamic guitar.

Action was very high. Had to lower saddle and deepen nut slots. It was set up for "whackers" but responded well to being set up for near fingerstyle setup. Using Martin SP Lights.

Construction and attention to detail is "par excellance".

Nice thin lacquer on the top, thicker on back and sides as it should be. Feels very delicate and is really light for a dread. I wouldn't beat it, but it is a well built guitar. Buy a cheapie for hauling around to WinoFests...

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I'd buy another one if this went missing. Splendid guitar. $$$...??? Yes, but worth it.

Standard D-42K (2000 Model). Original owner ordered it without a pickguard and added a Stringpull (similar to Greven Tor-Tis) which is much nicer than the standard Martin guard.

I've had it over a year and have delayed the review to get a "gauge" on the sound. Very nice sounding overall with more midrange than the rosewood version. I've swapped the Micarta saddle to both bone and fossil walrus ivory. I would not have guessed but I actually prefer the Micarta as it seems to provide a more warm sound; the natural materials sound more harsh to my ear.

Excellant job. The koa is quite spectacular and was hand-picked at the factory by the design chief. It would compare with a AAA Goodall visually.

I've played live a number of times. It stands up just fine for such a light guitar. I just bring extra strings but would bring a back-up if it was a real high-end gig (one never knows). I use a headstock strap button rather than drill into the neck. It works just fine.

Second owner so no warranty. No problems. Martin responds to any questions within two days.

I have three other Martins and this one has the most difficult to classify sound. It has taken about a year to get a read on it sonically. It is a beautiful and extremely well made guitar and the koa is exceptional.

2003 model D-42K. I just purchased this guitar and i'm pleased. I've been a Gibson man for my entire professional music career. I'm playing in a five piece Traditional Bluegrass band as of now,and have a couple of Gibson J-50's and 45's..but this Martin is the cadillac of acoustics!!..I can not believe the way it plays!!..I tried a great number of D-45's & 41's..and then found this one. AMAZING!!..I've been trying to find fault in this baby but can not!

The tonal quality is superior to any guitar i've played including many custom made acoustics.This puppy has a mid range kick that is powerful yet balanced. it is not as punchy as my Gibson J-45's, but is far more balanced when bangin' out Foggy Mountain Breakdown! I matched it up to my other guitars and it has a far warmer tone than I've heard in years.I keep it strung up with D'addario 12's.

The KOA was a wonderful butterscotch glow, and matched perfectly.
There is a slight finish blemish on the upper side, but hardly noticed. the gloss finish is stunning and even. I would have liked to seen this guitar equipped with ivory or bone bridge and nut as well as bridge pegs, after all..spending $3,299.00 on a guitar of this caliber you would expect it!

tuning pegs are butterbean knock off's of originals..they are ok.
This guitar is LIGHT!!..i mean feather light!..It makes my gibsons seem like a bag of rocks!!..I like to feel a little meat when i'm playing..so i'm sure i'll feel like she's gonna break until i'm used to her.

First time owner life time warranty.

A rare bird with 42 style appointments including koa back and sides, and advanced X bracing (do not underestimate this feature on any dreadnaught). Vintage tuners (some Waverly derivative) and 6 point snowflakes inlaid in the bridge as well.

This guitar is out there! It is very complex with an overwhelming midrange. The treble is easily overdriven and the bass is tight and punchy. Not rosewood, not mahogany, not claro walnut, but highly figured KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOA! The attack and sustain are balanced nicely. Sticking with medium strings so I can play it softer. Break in time will be the usual 3 years (been there done that) before she will really cut loose.

This instrument exhibited outstanding workmanship which is why Martin continues to be the benchmark for acoustic guitars. The "low profile neck" wss set up at Elderly Instruments. I tend to let the profesionals handle the adjustments.

The company's lifetime warranty has been honored since 1833. I was suprised to know that there were only 19 of this model made in 1999.

I heard Martin is not doing much repair work lately. If I did have a problem Martin would authorize Elderly Instruments to do the work. I have seen their repair shop and that is the way to go. Doubtfull this one will ever need work as I avoid the extremes.

I have been picking and grinning with Martin guitars for going on 30 years. I only wish that this model came stock a gieb style case and with fossilized ivory nut, saddle, etc. Go that way if you order one. This one is a keeper.

2000 USA-made Dreadnought Model, Highly (and I do mean highly) flamed koa back and sides, spruce top, ebony fretboard and bridge, abalone inlay around top, soundhole and fretboard extension, abalone "CF MARTIN" inlay on headstock, fully ivoroid bound body, neck and headstock, gold-plated vintage style open tuners, multicolor wood mosaic inlay strip on back, mahogany neck, abalone markers on fretboard, Martin Geib style hard case.

This guitar has the most complex tone and sustain of anything I've ever picked up (and there have been many). Sounds like I'm using a chorus pedal. The koa back and sides give this a slightly cleaner, brighter and better defined tone than a rosewood model. Even with extra light strings (10 - 47) the sound is loud and punchy, and almost perfectly balanced. Intonation is perfect. Very small frets....a little tougher to play, but intonate perfectly. What else can you say...it's the Martin sound reaching a whole new level.

The finish, as would be expected in a guitar in this price range, was flawless in every regard. Neck joint was nearly invisible. Neck alignment was spot on. Action right out of the box was quite low and fast, just the way I like it. No adjustments were necessary. The spruce top was very tight grained with quite a bit of bear claw, and perfectly bookmatched. The highly flamed koa back and sides are wild beyond description. The only negative thing was a few sharp edges on some of the fret ends. The 14:1 ratio open tuners, while adequate, are fairly cheap (Gotoh, I think) knock-offs of vintage Waverly's.... for the price, this guitar should be fitted with the "real thing". Ivory or bone bridge, nut, and bridgepins would have been nice too. The abalone inlay work (and there's plenty of it) was perfect. All in all, I don't think anyone could fault any aspect of this instrument.

Most Martin's are very lightly constructed, which gives them their unsurpassed sound. I hope this one will last a lifetime, but it's so light it feels "delicate". I really baby this thing, and hope that that will be enough. With proper care, I don't think there's anything you can't do with it. Just don't abuse it... that's what a $200 guitar is for...this is more like a scalpel than a chainsaw.

Full lifetime warranty to original owner, plain and simple. I've had Martin's before and have never needed warranty service. It would be nice if the warranty were transferable...this would greatly increase re-sale value. I know other companies offer this.

I've been playing on and off for more than 20 years, and have owned one of just about eveything - electric and acoustic. With the D-42K I've reached Nirvana...nothing else does it for me anymore. This guitar is truly a work of art... and also the most expressive and joyful to play instrument I've ever picked up. If this were lost or stolen, I'd replace it as soon as I could scrape up the dough...in fact I feel like buying a few more "spares" so I'll never know another day without one. Worth every penny.