Martin D-42K2

Full Glossed Solid Koa 14 fret Dread. The appointments have pretty much been gone over in the earlier posts so I'll spare you. Martin's 40 series guitars really are cream of the crop when it comes to their high end instruments. I really dig the vintage snowflake pattern and the pearl inlays are just plain sharp to look at. No on board electronics. Neck is solid Mahogany and plays very fast. The wood on these is just killer. Koa is pretty tough to match in the looks department.

The 42K2 really doesn't sound like any other guitar I've tried before including the other full koa models. It's not going to blow the walls down like an old spruce/rosewood dread but it certianly doesn't take away from its appeal. For those who enjoy Koa's sound this really is something you should check out. The guitar almost sounds like its plugged in when you strum it with the way it seems to just keep on ringing. Very cool. I think the forward shifted bracing brings out much more volume than I've heard in other koa guitars too. I'm giving this a 9 for sound but that's because I'm a die hard brazilian rosewood guy so thats the top tier in my eyes. This really is a great sounding instrument though. The notes are almost chorus like when played together. Very cohesive voicing but with really nice overtones in the sustain.

I bought this used so I did some tweaking with the action from the previous owner. He had it set real low so I installed a new bone saddle to bring it up which gave it a little more complexity and volume too. The wood on this thing is just terrific. Really a great looking guitar and I've already gotten tons of comments when people see it. Not as many people are as familiar with Koa as the other tonewoods so it naturally gains a lot of interest from onlookers. My particular model has got quite a bit of nice flame so it really stands out in a crowd. The appointments were all pretty nice except for the saddle and tuners. I think the original saddle material was micarta which I can't stand but like I said, I swapped it out with bone. The tuners look nice but just feel a little flimsy so I'll switch them out with some vintage waverlys soon. The bridge looks to be lifting slightly too but that's a pretty common thing with Martins from this era. Not a big deal to have it reglued if it gets any worse.

I don't see why this guitar would have any issues with durability. Martin's are well known to last for years and years and only get better with time so I'm banking on this one doing the same. Finish looks great for a 9 year old guitar and other than the bridge issue everything seems to be in great shape. I don't plan on playing out with this guitar too much. I bought it mostly as an investment as Koa guitars seem to be picking up in popularity and finaly gaining the respect they deserves. I'll still be sure to play her often though as I really do love the sound of this guitar. Such a mellow and smooth tone.

Like I said, I bought this used so it's no longer covered by Martin's warranty so it's unlikely I'll be contacting them for this particular guitar. I do have Martin's that I purchased new though and their customer service people have always been a pleasure to deal with and very helpful. No worries here.

I've been playing for fifteen years now and have owned probaby a hundred guitars of all makes models and woods and the
D-42K2 is something I can honestly say really stands out. It's look is just so unique and it's sound is super pleasant to my ear. It's got a very relaxing quality to it when I play. Not punchy and loud but very smooth. I had been looking to buy a full koa guitar and set my sights on this particular model early on. The 42K2's are quite rare as mentioned in the other reviews. I found a few close to $10K but there's no way I can afford to pay that much so it took me quite a while to find one more in my budget. It was well worth the wait though. I hope to keep her for a very very long time! If you get a chance to play one make sure you do. It won't take long before you'll start to appreciate Koa guitars.....especially the D-42K2

The D-42K2, like already mentioned, is pretty much a D-45V done in solid high grade old growth Koa. The foward shifted bracing really brings out Koa's incredible attributes as a tonewood. Beautifully appointed with abalone inlay and gold butterbean knobs, this guitar is a dream to look at. Definitely one of the most visually stunning instruments I've ever owned with a sound to match. My particular guitar is an '02 that I was fortunate enough to find in a private collection. These things are tough to come by with only about 250 total produced. It took me a good year of looking to find mine and then I had to pay a premimium to get it. If you can find one snatch it up fast because another probably won't come around again for quite some time.

Sound is absolutely beautiful. Not quite the punch or volume as it's Rosewood counterparts, but the Koa makes up for and more with it's incredible tone and sustain. Strum a chord and it goes on for daaaaaays! I agree with the "sweet sound" description mentioned earlier. Hard to properly describe but believe me it's something to behold when you hear it for the first time. Truly a unique and magnificent to hear! Somewhat of a blend of both rosewood and mahogany guitars if you can imagine that.

The Koa on this particular guitar is truly stunning to gaze upon. I'm not a huge fan of the more highly flamed Koa you seen on most modern guitars. Mine harkens back to the old growth stuff Martin used back in it's Golden Era of production. Perfectly bookmatched with strikingly beautiful black streaking that almost reminds me of what you see in some highly figured Brazilian Rosewood. Very unique. Action is what it came with out of the factory as far as I know and was perfect. Plays like a dream!

It's a Martin. Of course it will last. I've owned plenty of guitars made by this icon of american music and none have ever led me astray. I doubt I'd gig with this particular model as I'd hate to see a scratch on her. I'm definitely going to baby this beauty. Studio work seems more the route for this guitar and I imagine it records like an absolute dream.

The folks at Martin's customer service dept. are as good as they get. Never take more than a day or two to get back with anything you might need.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Yes it was a bit pricey but worth every penny and then some in my eyes! The sound of an all Koa guitar built to this high of a standard is nothing like anything I've ever heard or played. I've got mostly EI Rosewood and Hog's in my stable and while the K2 may not be as loud it definitely is one of my new favorites. They only made a few of these beauties and I'd be willing to bet their price will only continue to rise as it's done since taken out of production. I know a few people who've turned down offers of $8,500 plus for their D-42K2's. I think that says a lot about these guitars. Great investments.

Vintage look with forward scalloped x bracings. Vintage D-45 features. All Solid high grade koa. Gold tuners. Creme bindings. Snowflake inlays on fretboard and bridge. Block Martin pearl logo. Waverly style vintage gold tuners. D-45 back stripe. Mahogany neck with finish. Pearl trim around body and rosette . Rosewood headstock veneer. No electronics (you can install your own). I think production went from 2003-2005 and is currently discontinued. Produced in small quantities. Highly collectable.

For this I am comparing it to a D-45 as this model is as costly as D-45. The look of it is certainly a D-45V with a koa top,. but without the pearls at the back. The bass is sufficient for any kind of music . The highs are its strong points. It is clear and resonant delivering powerful mids and highs. A D-45 would have a stronger bass but this D-42k2 would dominate the high end. An all koa guitar is certainly unique on its own. It is warm when needed . It could be as mellow as a mahogany and delivering maple-like highs in situations you might not expect. Koa is an unpredictable tone wood. There is one thing to be sure of..TONS of sustain!

Martins are known to deliver their guitars with a high string setup. You would need to adjust it (or take it to someone to adjust the height of strings )to suit your playing. Once done it is perfect. I did it myself so I can really appreciate the quality ...meaning it is obvious the workmanship of Martin is superb . You can tell you can really push it to the limits ( go as low as you want on the strings) and there will be no buzz on any of the frets. I have installed TUSQ bridge on mine.too. Just sounds great. The neck should suit any style of playing. After all , it is a Martin.

I don't see why it won't stand live playing. thousands of pro musicians count on Martin guitars for decades. It stays in tune and is built very , very well. This guitar should out live me.

Never had to contact them yet.

I have been playing since the 60's and this guitar ranks the highest among a lot of the guitars I've played. It is stunning. Just try one out!

One of the best dreadnoughts ever made. Mine is a 2003 and was told only 248 were ever produced by Martin. You get everything you would get from a D-45V except the pearls at the back. Besides that, it is essentially a D-45V all koa guitar with a mahogany neck. Koa can come in different color tones. Mine is dark , as dark as the headstock which makes it just that much more beautiful. Martin really has a good control over their koa woods. You can tell by the guitar that they would not take any tiny flaws..ie..a little mark here and there on their koa . Butter-Gold Martin tuners, Gloss finished neck and body with pearls Martin logo , soundhole and binding. Rosewood headstock veneer matching color of body. Creme neck bindings and vintage D-42/45 snow flake pearl inlays on fingerboard and bridge. Diamond cut behind joint of headstock and neck. All vintage features. Tortoise shell pickguard of the highest grade. Solid class A Hawaiian Koa top, back and sides. D-45 style back stripe. Scalloped X bracings and all..what else can you ask for?

I play all sorts of styles . Koa is a brightly toned wood , I own several koa guitars and this one's got the most bass. Not as boomy and dark as rosewood/spruce guitars but it is everything you need. Strumming a chord and letting it ring, sustain is just pure enjoyment. Koa sounds like a guitar plugged into a PA ...meaning it is bright even if your strings are a bit old. The sound is certainly rich and unpredictable ..in a good way if you get what I mean. There is nothing I don't like about this guitar . It is just too beautiful and sounds amazing. The price? Maybe? But it is a high end Martin guitar, compared to the new stuff out there now, with less expensive wood and features, I wouldn't say this is overpriced. All Koa guitars (with a Martin logo)are good investments anyways if you ask me. Plus it sounds fantastic!

The action is perfect as I bought it new. The guitar was in a shop and hidden in a case , only sold when I asked for it and paid good money for it. It has been there for a year as the shop's owner was reluctant to sell it. Yes, these guitars are rare and have been discontinued. Order an identical one from Martin now and it may cost you anywhere from US$7000+. Lucky me I got it before they charged an arm for the koa option. Koa guitars are easy to take care of..I think. They are as hard as maple and it shouldn't change shape as easily as spruce. I've had mine for a few years and it is just as good as when I got it.

I've had it since it was new and had it for 5 years now. Took good care of it and it only sounds better everyday. It is built so well and Martin guitars just age elegantly. The good thing about koa is that you can't really see pick scratches if it had any since the 3D wood grain takes your eyes elsewhere. I have played this guitar on stage on many occations..no problems at all. Martin guitars are tested and proven by so many artists so it should speak for itself.

They told me mine was made in 2003 out of the 248 ever made through e-mail . Response time: one day. Good enough service for me. They even gave me its complete specifications down to the last detail. Three pages of it. Amazing!

If this guitar don't deserve a 10 I don't know what guitar should. It looks and sounds perfect . It would be something to pass on to your children. It has all the features you'll ever need from a high end guitar and you DO get all that you pay for. Look at all the 4000-10,000 dollar Martins and see if they got all these features? Not to mention the collectability of koa...Martin offers the best quality koa out there..just take a look. Its value is sure to stand the test of time and my guess is it will increase in value. Its vintage features are sure to please the most demanding players. I would however, recommend a spruce/rosewood guitar if anyone is buying this guitar as their first. This shouldn't be anyone's first guitar if you know what I mean.

2000 Martin D-42K2. Totally stock as purchased in Feb. 2002. Solid koa dreadnaught, forward shifted braces.

This is my second all koa Martin (I had a D-25K2 in the mid-80's). Koa is not as loud as rosewood/spruce and it definitely takes some time for the soundboard to "open up". Koa does have a ringing sustain and it's a delight to sometimes end a song and just let it ring (it's hard to put a price on the grin you have). I have a fossil ivory saddle that I'll try out and possibly bone at a later time, but these are easy modifications to tweak the sound. I find medium strings in phosphor/bronze give it a good punch. All koa guitars are uncommon enough that it is an acquired taste, but this is wonderful after a year plus.

The guitar was flawless from Martin and all it needed was a tweak on the truss rod after shipping and about a year later. Stays in tune very well and wonderful harmonics.

As the original owner, I have no concerns about the warranty. I do play out with it, though I am very careful. The only minor gripe is I wish they had put on Waverly tuners instead of the Gotohs. They keep their tune fine but they feel kind of cheap on a guitar like this. Not a difficult upgrade to do though.

Very friendly. They respond two days after you e-mail. They told me the made 33 of this model in 2000, the first year of production.

Been playing since '75. I own three other Martins. It is a visually stunning guitar and if you like the mid's and sustain of koa, it's a great guitar.

Aside from Martins d-45,the d-42k2 is the height of tastefull guitar beauty.It is a standard D shape,all flamed koa,and "42"style abalone inlay.The fingerboard is bound in off-white ivoroid as is the rest of the guitar.The headstock is old-style square with "CF Martin"in mother of pearl vertically and old-style gold butter bean open tunners.The braces are also old-style scalloped and foward shifted.The neck however is slim and fast with the same high gloss finish as the rest of the guitar.The d42k2 comes with a SBK case.

What can I say that won't sound too swooney ;There is nothing I've ever played that sounds and plays like this guitar.the koa top gives this guitar a unique sound;punchy and loud and very refined and tighter than a spruce top.The action is very low but not so low as to get buzzie when driven hard when playing blue grass.

Again, perfect literally right out of the factory shrink wrap.There were no flaws;none, zip ,nada nor would I expect to find any on any Martin especially from a top end Martin.Ive

I've never ever had a problem with any of my Martins.Everything about them; the finishesand the hardware are top quality and first rate.

I've never had to deal with the company for any problems .My dealer though has always been very helpful.I've been a Martin owner for 8 years.

This is truely the BMW 7 series of the guitar world.A combination of rare beauty , killer sound and flawless craftmenship.I own 4 Martins;a d-18vms,hd-28v,d-17 and a d42k2 and each one is a gem ,although often imitated buy many.