The Martin D-45 is one of the most luxurious and highly prized acoustic guitars produced by C. F. Martin & Company. First introduced in 1933, this steel-string dreadnought model became known for its ornate design and high-quality craftsmanship. In its original production run from 1933 to 1942, only 91 D-45 guitars were made, making them rare and highly valuable today.
The model was designed with custom ornamentation and was first commissioned by famed musician Gene Autry. Martin ceased production during World War II but reintroduced the D-45 in 1968. This new run became an immediate success, with more guitars sold in a single year than during the entire pre-war production period.
The post-1968 D-45s have seen several special editions, such as the D-45 Gene Autry and the Stephen Stills signature model. The original pre-war D-45s remain some of the most valuable guitars ever made, with prices often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Variations
D-45 JM – John Mayer signature model
