C. F. Martin D-45 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1971), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, Engleman spruce top, rosewood back & sides, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a great-playing example of Martin's top-of-the-line guitar in 1971 -- the then-recently revived D-45. All of 105 of these splendid pearl-trimmed Dreadnoughts were sold that year, the model's largest production year to date, but paltry numbers compared to the almost 5500 D-28's issued that year alone! With a lovely tight-grained German spruce top and superbly straight-grained Indian rosewood back and sides, this is a beautiful guitar even discounting the superlative pearl trim on every edge, all hand cut and inlaid in the old style...no modern paper-thin ab-lam here! A very fine guitar, in both looks and sound; the very best Martin could make in 1971.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.).
This is a very clean and original guitar, showing just some very light checking to the finish and a few small spots of wear. There are a couple of small dings and scrapes on the top just near the back edge, but overall this guitar really does not show much use. The original bridge top appears to have been lowered just a bit some time back, and the pickguard has been neatly replaced; many of the black acetate originals from this period have unfortunately curled up like potato chips! Apart from these two common maintenance issues, there are no other apparent alterations. A lovely example, a delight to play, and as resplendent today as it was when new. Excellent Condition.
