Martin D-45, 1969

Martin / 1969 D-45

Staff Comment: Inoue

Martin’s flagship model, the D-45, has finally arrived.

Style 45. The designation “Style 45” is reserved exclusively for guitars crafted from the highest-quality materials deemed suitable for this model and built solely by select, skilled craftsmen. It remains Martin’s true top-of-the-line model.

Production resumed in 1968 after a long hiatus dating back to the pre-war era. The instrument
we have received is a 1969 model from the early stages of this revival, crafted using premium woods such as German spruce and Brazilian rosewood. Even among Martin’s top-tier models, this is a truly exceptional instrument that only a select few can own.

The top is made of German spruce, the sides and back of Brazilian rosewood, and the fingerboard and bridge of ebony. It is equipped with original gold Grover Rotomatic tuners. The brilliance of the abalone inlays creates the exquisite appearance that every acoustic guitarist dreams of.

The sound, of course, is top-notch.
It features the rich, lustrous high end that epitomizes the D-45,
along with deep, weighty bass produced by the SQ rod structure.
The fresh, long sustain and soft tone characteristic of Brazilian rosewood are particularly captivating.

As for its condition, considering it was built in 1969—having endured over half a century—it remains in surprisingly beautiful and excellent condition.

It’s evident that this instrument has been cherished as the pinnacle of acoustic guitars, and it remains in exceptionally sound condition for a vintage Martin. As part of maintenance to address age-related changes, the pickguard has been replaced, and careful wood restoration and reinforcement have been performed to address the Martin-specific cracks beneath the pickguard (known as “Martin cracks”) and the crack along the center seam of the body top. Since the necessary repairs and reinforcements have been carried out properly, you can use this guitar with confidence for both playing and storage.

Regarding the finish, there are scattered patches of the rich, weathered checks characteristic of vintage instruments.
The most noticeable area is the cracking around the nut, which is believed to have occurred when the nut was removed during a previous adjustment.
There is a trace of adhesive repair next to the nut on the 6th string side, visible under black light; however, this does not interfere with normal use, playability, or structural integrity.

For a D-45 from the Brazilian rosewood era—over 50 years since its manufacture—it is in exceptionally good condition, clearly having been carefully passed down and properly maintained over the years. Beyond its historical value, this is a masterpiece we can confidently recommend for both its aesthetic appeal and playability.

[Specifications/Included Case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES: Rosewood
NECK: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
BRIDGE: Ebony
NUT WIDTH: 43mm
SCALE: 648mm
CASE: 1960s Hard Shell Case (handle replaced)

[Repair/Modification History / Replaced Parts / Cosmetic Condition, etc.]
*Please note that as this is a used/vintage item, the information provided is based on our inspection.
- Pickguard replaced
- Crack repair on the lower-left corner of the pickguard (glued and reinforced)
- Crack repair on the body top, center area under the bridge (glued and reinforced)
- Paint crack repair near the nut on the 6th-string side of the neck
- Nut, saddle, and frets replaced

[Playing Condition]
- String action at the 12th fret: 2.5 mm on the 6th string side, 2.0 mm on the 1st string side-
Saddle height: approx. 2.5 mm–3.0 mm-
There are no issues, and the instrument plays well.

[Peace of Mind Warranty: 6 months]

[Mail-Order Assurance Service]
- Since we cannot offer customers the opportunity to try out the instrument when purchasing via mail order, we provide a 6-day trial period after the product arrives
.- Please take your time to try out the product at home, and if you are not satisfied, we will refund the purchase price. *You are responsible for
round-trip shipping costs.