Martin Limited Edition D-42 Special

Description & Specs

In conjunction with former Martin employee Dick Boak, Martin Guitar is proud to introduce a stunning high-end Dreadnought model: the D-42 Special. The idea for this model began nearly 25 years ago when Martin installed its first laser engraving machine, and Boak began experimenting with various ways to utilize it. Boak created an intricate pen and ink illustration of a complex floral design that was meant to be laser engraved into a tortoise pickguard, but the material proved unable to be safely engraved. Fast-forward 23 years, Boak came across his original illustration and thought it would make a beautiful piece if inlaid with pearl. He was right! Working with Bill Seymour and Jeremy Chism at Pearlworks, the trio modified the artwork to allow for the detailed pearl inlay work. The resulting prototype won the approval of Chris Martin IV, who asked Boak to expand the design to the fingerboard and headstock. The model also features premium-grade East Indian rosewood back and sides, with the highest grade of Sitka spruce selected for the soundboard. Scalloped forward-shifted X-bracing ensures the open projection for which Martin guitars are prized. Additional vintage-inspired appointments include antique white bindings; abalone inlay along the perimeter of the top, fingerboard extension, and rosette; a full gloss finish with top aging toner; and nickel open-gear tuning machines with butterbean knobs.

BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret
FINISH TOP: Gloss
CONSTRUCTION: Dovetail Neck Joint
BACK AND SIDE FINISH: Gloss
BRACING PATTERN: Forward Shifted X Brace
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4"
BRACE SHAPE: Scalloped
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4"
TOP MATERIAL: Sitka Spruce
NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval
BACK MATERIAL: East Indian Rosewood
NECK TAPER: High Performance Taper
SIDE MATERIAL: East Indian Rosewood

TOP COLOR: Aging Toner
BRIDGE STYLE: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
BINDING: Antique White
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2 5/32"
TOP INLAY MATERIAL: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Ebony
TOP DETAIL: None
BRIDGE PIN MATERIAL: White Plastic
PICKGUARD: Black Acrylic
BRIDGE PIN DOTS: Abalone
PICKGUARD INLAY: Custom Inlay
SADDLE: Compensated Bone
ROSETTE: Abalone with Multi-Stripe
SADDLE RADIUS: 16"

BRACE MATERIAL: Sitka Spruce
BACK AND SIDES COLOR: None
BRACE SIZE: 5/16"
BACK DETAIL: None
BACK PURFLING/STRIP: Style 45
BACK INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
HEELCAP: Antique White
SIDE DETAIL: None
ENDPIECE: Antique White
SIDE INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
ENDPIECE INLAY: Multi-Stripe

NECK MATERIAL: Genuine Mahogany
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Ebony
FINISH NECK: Gloss
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2 1/8"
NECK COLOR: Dark Mahogany
FINGERBOARD INLAY STYLE: Dick Boak Inlay Design
FINGERBOARD INLAY MATERIAL: Mother of Pearl
NECK JOINS BODY AT: 14th Fret
FINGERBOARD BINDING MATERIAL: Antique White
SIDE DOTS: Black

HEADSTOCK SHAPE: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
TUNING MACHINES: Nickel Open Gear
HEADPLATE MATERIAL: Ebony
KNOB: Butter Bean
HEADPLATE LOGO STYLE: Custom Inlay
HEADPLATE BINDING MATERIAL: Antique White

CASE: Ply Hardshell
LABEL: Paper Label Signed by CFM IV & Dick Boak, Numbered in Sequence with No Total

General

Series:	Martin Limited/Special Editions
Country of Manufacture:	Made in the USA
Serial Number:	2739953
Product Color:	Natural
Case Type:	Hardshell Case Included
Factory Setup:	E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E)

Body

Body Material:	East Indian Rosewood
Top Material:	Sitka Spruce w/VTS
Bracing Material:	Adirondack Spruce
Bracing Pattern:	Forward-shifted X-Bracing

Neck

Neck Material:	Genuine Mahogany
Fingerboard Material:	Ebony
Nut Material:	Bone
Nut Width:	1.75"
Fingerboard Radius:	16"
Scale Length:	25.4"
Number of Frets:	20 Frets
Neck Joint:	Dovetail
Fingerboard Inlay:	Custom Pearlworks Inlays
Inlay Shape:	Custom Symbol

Hardware

Tuning Machines:	Open Gear with Butterbean Buttons
Saddle:	Compensated Bone