Martin Shaded Top

The Martin Dreadnought is the greatest icon in the acoustic guitar world. Among them, the D-45, D-28, D-35, and D-18 models are almost always present at moments that change history. Surely, many people have experienced a turning point in their lives thanks to the sound produced by these guitars in the hands of artists. You’ve likely seen the Dreadnought in various situations—at live shows, on CD covers, in magazines, and at music stores.

“By the way, what color was that guitar?”
Is that a silly question? Of course, it’s natural, isn’t it? However, in this world, there is a front and a back, light and shadow. Did you know that lurking in the shadow of that color you took for granted lies the existence of the extremely rare “Shaded Top”?

Today, even if you searched all over Japan, you’d be lucky to find one or two. Today, even if you searched the entire world, you’d likely be able to count them on one hand—if that.For this column, we’ve prepared eight of Martin’s legendary 【Shaded Top】 guitars—not modern reissues, but the original models that defined their era. TCGAKKI A project we’ve been planning for years has finally come to fruition. I can state this with absolute certainty: as I write these words, right at this very moment, we have become the music store with the largest collection of vintage 【Shaded Top】 guitars in the world. Allow me to introduce the 【Shaded Top】 guitars we’ve gathered here.

First, what exactly is a 【Shaded Top】?

The easiest way to explain what a “Shaded Top” is to guitar players is to call it a “Sunburst.” While Martin acoustic guitars traditionally feature a natural finish, the “Shaded Top” has existed since the 1930s—the pre-war era commonly known as the Golden Era.While “Sunburst” was a standard color at rival company Gibson, “Shaded Top” was offered as an option at Martin.
The "Sunburst" finish was common at Gibson, and there is a historical background to this. Gibson’s history began in the 19th century with mandolin manufacturing.Their iconic F-5 model featured a finish reminiscent of the "Sunburst" from the very beginning. Although the F-5 is a flat mandolin, it features a gently arched top and F-holes. Since the flat mandolin itself is based on the violin, its finish was also influenced by the violin.

Later, Gibson expanded its market share with arched-top guitars. Building on the aforementioned techniques, these instruments featured violin-like characteristics—such as an arched body and F-holes—and were finished with the "Sunburst" design.As history progressed, Gibson made great strides with flat-top guitars, and naturally, flat-top models featuring the "Sunburst" finish appeared. The vertical history of the instruments they produced allowed the "Sunburst" culture to take root naturally within Gibson.
Martin, on the other hand, although it did produce mandolins for a time, has essentially focused on guitar making from the very beginning. Its culture is derived from the classical guitar. The smaller, so-called New York-style guitars of the 19th and early 20th centuries naturally adopted a natural finish as well.
Each company’s unique aesthetic is reflected in the gradient pattern. Gibson’s “Sunburst” features an elliptical shape that extends from the soundhole toward the endpin, whereas Martin’s “Shaded Top” features a design with a square impression that follows the contours of the body.

D-45
Style 45. This designation is reserved exclusively for guitars crafted from the highest-quality materials deemed suitable, and built solely by selected master craftsmen. It remains Martin’s top-of-the-line model. Production of the flagship D-45 accounts for only about 1% of Martin’s total guitar output.

1975 D-45 Shaded Top

First up is the [Shaded Top]. If you view this model while comparing it to others, you’ll be able to appreciate the subtle variations in color between individual instruments.The previous year, 1974, is considered the final year for German spruce tops, and starting with this 1975 model, Sitka spruce was adopted. Martin does not maintain specific records regarding top wood, and in reality, multiple types of spruce—primarily German spruce—were used up until the previous year, with irregularities appearing in the production of models from the preceding and following years as well. The production run for the 1975 D-45 was 192 units.

1976 D-45 Shaded Top

The "Shaded Top" featured here is characterized by the strongest reddish hue among the eight guitars introduced. The balance of the gradation is exceptional in both the neck and endpin directions, and the relative color tones are truly beautiful—it literally captivates the eye.
When people think of 1976 at Martin, many likely picture the D-76, the model commemorating the 200th anniversary of the United States. It was an era when the music scene was booming, and not only Martin but the entire music industry was thriving—and, of course, the 【Shaded Top】 was also being produced. In 1976, annual production of the D-45 exceeded 200 units for the first time, reaching 256 units.Just how many 【Shaded Top】 models were produced? As a side note, the following year, 1977, saw a strike, and production of the D-45 dropped to a mere 76 units.

1979 D-45 Shaded Top 1/2

Here, we can compare two 【Shaded Top】 models from the same year that feature contrasting color tones. Due to the aging process unique to lacquer-finished instruments, one has a deep, rich appearance with dark edging.The other exhibits significant fading even among the eight known examples, resulting in the palest hue. This bright, pop-like appearance, in a sense, offers a character that defies the typical image of a 【Shaded Top】. The way its appearance changes depending on usage and storage conditions is one of the joys of vintage instruments. There is no definitive “better” option—it comes down to personal preference—but it is rare to be able to compare two 【Shaded Top】 D-45s from the same model year side by side.
The year 1979 marks a transitional period. The darker 【Shaded Top】 features Schaller tuners, which would be standard on subsequent models, while the lighter 【Shaded Top】 is equipped with Grover tuners, marking the final year of their use.

1979 D-45 Shaded Top 2/2

In 1979, the D-45 set a record for its highest annual production volume at 291 units. Incidentally, there was a strike at Martin in the previous year, 1978. Partly due to this, only 40 D-45s were produced in 1978.It is speculated that in 1979, Martin may have coincidentally had a stock of wood that could not be used the previous year. Although production numbers seemed to stabilize after that, three years later in 1982, they dropped to a mere 45 units. This was an era when whatever was made would likely sell. However, the standards for wood selection remained high, and compromising to increase production volume was simply not an option for Martin. Even though it was the highest production volume on record, only 291 units were made worldwide, underscoring its enduring rarity.

1983 D-45 150TH Shaded Top

All guitars produced in this year, marking Martin’s 150th anniversary, feature a brand stamp. Commemorative models designed by Martin bear a square label, while custom orders from customers feature an oval label. As you can see in the photo, this is a custom-ordered model with an oval label. The headstock, fingerboard, pickguard, bridge, and even the heel cap are lavishly adorned with stunning inlay work. It is truly a collector’s item.
The 【Shaded Top】 design perfectly complements this inlay work. The distinct coloration along the edges creates an exquisite three-tone effect.As if by design, the grain and texture of the sides and back perfectly match the 【Shaded Top】 and the inlays, further enhancing the sense of luxury. While it remains unclear who placed this order and under what circumstances, the finished product is nothing short of art—a testament to superb taste. While the basic specifications are similar to those of the 1970s, it features Schaller tuners. Only 74 units of the 1983 D-45 were produced.

D-28

The D-28 first appeared in 1931. At the time, as part of a custom order for Dittson & Co., two prototype models were created: the D-1 with a mahogany body and the D-2 with a rosewood body. These would later become the D-18 and D-28.

The D-28 has undergone many design changes from its inception to the present day. In 1944, the bracing changed from scalloped to standard. In 1946, the fingerboard inlays changed from slotted diamonds to dots.In 1947, the inlay changed from herringbone to stripes. Furthermore, the back marquetry changed from zigzag to blocks. Although there were subsequent changes to the pickguard and bridge, the most significant change—and the one for which it is famous—was the switch from Brazilian rosewood to rosewood in 1969.

1953 D-28 Shaded Top

Comparing these eight guitars, this one stands out as the most distinct and memorable example of the "Shaded Top." The black border is clearly visible, and the "Shaded Top" pattern is quite wide.While vintage Martin collectors eagerly seek out D-28s with herringbone inlays from before 1944, a widely held belief among vintage Martin players is that “the 1950s D-28s are the best.”Coinciding with an era considered the most vibrant in American history, these guitars are highly regarded for both their materials and craftsmanship. Featuring a long saddle, Kluson tuners with covers, and beautiful straight-grained rosewood on both the back and sides, this is a top-tier D-28—and a 【Shaded Top】 at that—that is in a league of its own compared to modern models. You may never come across another one like this. Only 675 of these 1953 D-28s were produced.

D-35

The D-35, released in 1965, is distinguished by its three-piece back construction. Three layers of rosewood are meticulously laminated and bonded with maple and rosewood. This finish successfully balances aesthetic appeal with structural integrity.Although the three-piece construction was originally conceived during the war years to conserve Brazilian rosewood due to resource shortages, combined with changes in the bracing, the D-35 produced a tone distinct from the standard D-28 of the time, attracting a new fan base.

Its soft, mellow sound was well-suited to the folk music boom, and the D-35 enjoyed immense popularity in Japan during the 1970s, with many professional musicians adopting it.

1975 D-35 Shaded Top

This is a model where the color of the edging remains distinctly deep, yet the width of the “Shaded Top” appears slightly narrower. It’s the kind of subtle difference in appearance you only notice when viewing several models side by side. The coloration beautifully captures the vibrant impression characteristic of the original “Shaded Top.”
The high-mid range is pleasant, and when playing arpeggios, it truly lives up to the D-35’s reputation. The thick, core-filled sound characteristic of that era conveys a sense of volume while remaining refined; the overall impression is delicate with outstanding balance. Depending on the player’s emotion, it handles everything from dynamic performances to supporting gentle melodies. This is a guitar that lets you experience the ultimate in luxury. A total of 6,260 D-35s were produced in 1975.

D-18

The D-18 was introduced in 1931 alongside the D-28. While the D-28 is a well-balanced guitar suited for chord playing with powerful mid-to-low frequencies, the D-18 is characterized by its delicate and sparkling high frequencies. A well-played-in D-18 leads many professional musicians to say, “If you’re going to choose a Martin, the D-18 is a must.”

Among the musicians who have used the D-18, the newly debuted Elvis Presley is particularly famous. Also, while Eric Clapton is often associated with the Triple-O, he reportedly uses the D-18 frequently in recordings because he likes how it sounds on the mic. That famous song playing from your CD? It’s actually the sound of the D-18.

1975 D-18 Shaded Top

The appearance of the 【Shaded Top】 is similar to that of the D-35 mentioned earlier, but the color around the edges is slightly lighter here, with a hint of reddish tones. The range of colors is also slightly narrower. Although it is a coincidence, since the sides and back are made of mahogany, this slightly lighter color matches well. Including the rosewood bridge and fingerboard, the overall color tone has a distinct character compared to other 【Shaded Top】 models.
The weather checking on the top, resulting from aging, is just right, creating an exquisite balance with the 【Shaded Top】 finish. Only 3,069 D-18s were produced in 1975—about half the number of D-35s.

In Conclusion

Although Martin and Gibson were rivals, it is likely that they both developed precisely because of a competitive spirit to keep up with and surpass each other’s growth. During the era when Martin’s flat-top guitars began to spread worldwide, Gibson added the “Natural” finish to its J-35 flat-top guitar in 1941, and Martin added the “Shaded Top” as an option for the D-28 in 1935.

Gibson’s “Sunburst” represents “sunlight,” while Martin’s “Shaded Top” represents “shade.” It may have been fate that these names, which coincidentally point to their relationship, were chosen.

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