Martin D-42 VS D-45: What are the differences?
Subtle construction differences, tonewood sourcing, and inlays
The D-45 is an extremely ornate "Golden Era" model from Martin, with a very straight-grain and high-grade back/sides, and an Adirondack Spruce top. With the 42 you still have a very high-grade tonewood and a similar level or "ornateness", yet at a significantly lower price tag. But when comparing two guitars at this quality level, you won't fine anything to complain about or any quality issues between the two. Both have the same high-grade tonewood composition and the bass-enhancing X-bracing. They're also legacy Martin acoustics with a lot of brand history behind them. For the price, we'd go with the D-42, but the nuance in the D-45 might be worth it to collectors or those who are buying for the pristine factor.
| Specs | Martin D-42 | Martin D-45 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought | Dreadnought |
| Back & Sides Wood | East Indian Rosewood | East Indian Rosewood |
| Top Wood | Spruce | Spruce |
| Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Color | Natural, Aging Toner | Natural, Aging Toner |
| Body Bracing | Scalloped Forward Shifted X-bracing | Scalloped Forward Shifted X-bracing |
| Binding | Antique White | Antique White |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper | Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper |
| Radius | 16" | 16" |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Abalone Style 45 Snowflake | Abalone Style 45 Hexagon |
| Number of Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale Length | 25.4" | 25.4" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" | 1.75" |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Bone | Bone/Bone |
| Bridge Material | Ebony | Ebony |
| Tuning Machines | Gold Open Gear | Gold Open Gear |
| Strings | Lifespan 2.0 92/8 Phosphor Bronze, .013-.056 | Titanium Core Nickel, .012-.055 |
| Case Included | Hardshell Case | Hardshell Case |
The Martin D-42 acoustic guitar. Image via No1 Guitarshop
The Martin D-45 acoustic guitar. Image via Fine, Rare, and Vintage Acoustics
Price Guide for Both Acoustics
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
5 Notable Differences Between the 42 and 45
String Material:
- D-42: Equipped with Lifespan 2.0 92/8 Phosphor Bronze strings.
- D-45: Fitted with Titanium Core Nickel strings.
Fretboard Inlay Design:
- D-42: Abalone Style 45 Snowflake inlays on the fretboard.
- D-45: Abalone Style 45 Hexagon inlays on the fretboard.
Adirondack Space?
- Both are listed as having a high-grade solid Spruce top, which we'd expect in this price range. But the D-45 lists an "Adirondack" Spruce top, while the D-42 just lists Spruce. We'd imagine there is a sourcing difference here, but definitely not a practical difference.
Top-of-the-Line Model:
- D-42: Has vintage appeal with an aged-finish, high-grade spruce top and traditional Style 45 snowflake fingerboard inlays.
- D-45: Represents Martin's flagship dreadnought, known for its luxurious sound, elegant appointments, and playability, making it one of the pinnacles of Martin's brand.
The D-42 or D-45: What's the better fit for you?
Check the price guide above for updated numbers, but when I wrote this comparison, the D-42 was a whopping $3000 less than the D-45. And while the D-45 is certainly more ornate with excruciating attention to detail, the D-42 saves you a lot of money and gives you an absolutely beautiful guitar.
Between the two, I'd save the $3000 and spend that elsewhere.
Technical differences and practical differences are very different. And the practical differences between these two guitars are not particularly significant.
If you have questions about our Martin D-42 VS D-45 comparison, hit me up in the comments section below.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Acoustics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Acoustics & Roundups
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