A miraculous gathering of the ultimate masterpieces: Pre-War Martins!!

A Pre-War Auditorium with a Powerful Sound♪

　The OOO-45 was produced from 1906 to 1942, with a total of 265 units made; the 14-fret model, in particular, numbered only 123, making it the third rarest model after the original D-45 and OM-45. Early models featured a 12-fret joint, a slotted headstock, and torch inlays, and Jimmy Rodgers is known to have been a devoted user of this model.In 1934, the 14-fret "OOO-45" was introduced as an evolution of the OM model, featuring a solid headstock and a vertical logo. It appears that forward X-bracing was discontinued on the OOO-45 model in 1935.

Its compact, well-defined sound made it highly valued for recording, and it is a well-known fact that Eric Clapton—famous for his OOO-42—actually used an OOO-45 that had been modified from an OOO-28. Although this particular instrument is an OOO size, it possesses a surprisingly rich volume. Combined with its linear response and delicacy, its sound can be summed up in a single word: magnificent.

*The photo has been removed at the buyer’s request.

An extremely rare original D-45—the ultimate dreadnought!

　The first D-45 was built in 1933 on commission from country singer Gene Autry, and 91 were manufactured by 1942. The second was ordered by Jackie Moore from Martin in 1934. It is said that only about 70 examples remain today, and since most are owned by collectors, they are rare gems that almost never appear on the open market.

　The first 17 guitars, produced through 1938, featured snowflake inlays; one of these was owned by the late bluegrass musician Red Smiley. However, by the time he acquired it, the snowflake inlays had already been replaced with hexagons.Among these, the D-45S (where "S" stands for "Special"), of which only two were made in 1936, is a special model featuring a 16 1/4-inch wide body, making it an exceptionally rare variant even among original D-45s. One of the two surviving examples is on display at the Martin Museum.Additionally, it is said that two D-45s with tortoiseshell-patterned headplates were also produced in 1940, making them extremely rare.

　Models produced up until mid-1938 featured forward-shifted X-bracing. Scalloped bracing was used on all models until production ended in 1942. Grover tuners were originally open-back types, but closed-back types were used from 1939 to 1940.

　At the time, the "45" series was subject to stricter checks on materials and quality control than any other Martin model, resulting in lower production numbers and allowing only highly skilled craftsmen to build them.The Brazilian rosewood used for the sides and back on pre-war models features exclusively straight-grained wood, and the weather checking in the finish is unique—unlike Gibson’s—giving it a texture that appears as though the finish has settled into the wood. Additionally, the Japanese abalone used for the inlays features exceptionally fine chips, resulting in a luster that is completely different from that of more recent models. It’s fascinating to observe these details in person.

　The D-45, known to have been favored by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Clapton in the late 1970s, was reintroduced in 1968 in response to strong demand from enthusiasts like Mike Longworth. It remains Martin’s flagship model, continuing to influence countless manufacturers and luthiers to this day.The sound achieved through the finest materials and Martin’s exceptional craftsmanship is transcendent in every way, producing a rich, resonant tone.

*The photo has been removed at the buyer’s request

This is a rare Shaded Top model!

　The "D-18" was developed from the "D-1" prototype, which was created in 1931 at the request of Ditson, a major dealer.In 1932, production of the D-18 with a 12-fret joint officially began. In 1934, the D-18 with a 14-fret joint—which would become the standard model—was introduced. Only 42 units of the 14-fret D-18 were produced in its first year. The D-18 Sunburst featured here did not exist in the standard lineup at the time; it was available only as a custom order, making its very existence today extremely rare.

　　In 1938, a top plate brace (a flat reinforcing plate on the underside of the top near the neck) was added. Models produced up until mid-1938 featured forward-shifted X-bracing. The width of the fingerboard narrowed by approximately 1.5 mm at the nut and 3.2 mm at the 12th fret.The price in 1940 was $65 (compared to $100 for the D-28). When the United States entered World War II following the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in December 1941, the effects of wartime metal shortages began to be felt. In 1942, the neck rod was changed from a steel T-bar to ebony. In 1944, scalloped bracing was discontinued as a measure to address strength issues when using heavy-gauge strings.In 1946, the top wood was changed from Adirondack spruce to Sitka spruce. Additionally, the neck rod was changed back from ebony to a steel T-bar. In 1947, the D-18’s ebony fingerboard and bridge were changed to rosewood (known as “Hacalanda” at the time).

　Quarter-sawn mahogany (wood cut from a log such that only one-quarter of the log is used for a single board) was used for the sides and back. While the D-28 boasts a powerful sound with rich mid-to-low frequencies, the D-18 is a model known for its delicate sound characterized by brilliant high frequencies.It offers the versatility to handle not only strumming but also fingerstyle playing. Many artists, including early Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, and Takahiko Ishikawa, were captivated by the sound of the D-18.

*The photo has been removed at the buyer’s request.

Features an ebony truss rod and the final scalloped bracing specification (
) due to wartime metal shortages

　The D-28, considered the standard for modern acoustic guitars, was born as the first Dreadnought model, the "D-28," evolving from the prototype "D-2" created in 1931 at the request of major dealer Ditson.In 1934, the D-28 with a 14th-fret joint was introduced; records show that only 52 units of the 14th-fret D-28 were produced in its first year.

　In 1938, a top plate brace (a flat reinforcing plate on the underside of the top near the neck) was added. In 1939, the forward-shifted X-bracing was discontinued. The fingerboard width was reduced by approximately 1.5 mm at the nut and 3.2 mm at the 12th fret.The price in 1940 was $100 (the D-18 was $65). When the United States entered World War II following the outbreak of war with Japan in December 1941, the effects of metal shortages caused by the war began to be felt.

　In 1942, the neck rod was changed from a steel T-bar to ebony. In late 1944, scalloped bracing was discontinued to address strength issues when using heavy-gauge strings. The fingerboard inlays were changed from slotted diamond and square to a dot pattern.In 1946, the top wood was changed from Adirondack spruce to Sitka spruce. Additionally, the neck rod was changed back from ebony to a steel T-bar. In 1947, the D-28’s herringbone trim and zigzag backstrip were changed to black-and-white stripes and a checkered backstrip.

　To this day, countless artists have been captivated by the sound of the D-28. From country legend Hank Williams and bluegrass icon Lector Flat to folk singer Rambling Jack Elliott, as well as Bob Dylan, Clarence White, the Kingston Trio, Tony Rice, and Jimmy Page—the list goes on and on.The D-28 produces a chord sound characterized by rich mid-low frequencies, exceptional power, and excellent balance. The tone of instruments from that era is particularly deep, with a solid core and enveloped in rich, natural harmonics.