Description 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 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. Other specifications include: 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: Spruce Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval Back Material: East Indian Rosewood Neck Taper: High Performance Taper Side Material: East Indian Rosewood Electronics: None Electronics Options: Not Available 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: 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 Pleked: true 4 lbs 10 oz #2727741 For more information about the Martin D-42 Special, please contact us. Manufacturer Martin Series Limited & Special Edition Body Style Dreadnought Actual Weight 4.10 Model D-42 Special
