1972 Martin D-45 – Natural – Recently Refretted and Reset – Includes Original Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
The D-45 is the pinnacle of Martin's production guitar line — the most ornate, the most labor-intensive, and by virtually any measure the most coveted acoustic guitar Martin has ever made in volume production. The model debuted in 1933, built originally for Gene Autry, and only 91 were made before World War II forced Martin to discontinue it in 1942. When the D-45 returned in 1968 after a twenty-six year absence, it arrived to a generation of players who had grown up idolizing the instrument — Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young each bought one when the reissue was announced. Production in the early 1970s remained modest, which means a 1972 example like this one represents a genuinely small number of instruments. The back and sides are solid East Indian rosewood — the Brazilian rosewood era having ended in late 1969 — with the tight, straight grain that characterized the best Indian rosewood of that period, and the solid Sitka spruce top has had more than fifty years to open up and develop the kind of resonant complexity that only comes with age. The abalone appointments that define the Style 45 are extraordinary — abalone pearl binding on the top, back, and sides, abalone rosette, hexagonal abalone fingerboard inlays, abalone headstock logo, and the Style 45 zigzag back strip. The bound ebony fingerboard, ebony bridge, gold Grover tuners, and mahogany neck with soft V profile complete a guitar that is as beautiful to look at as it is to play. There is simply nothing else quite like a D-45 in the acoustic guitar world, and the 1972 vintage places this one in a period when Martin's craftsmanship was still deeply traditional even as production was expanding.
This example has received a comprehensive and professional restoration by a longtime Martin-certified technician here in Northampton, Massachusetts — a neck reset, a new bridge and saddle, a full refret, and a new pickguard, all executed to a high standard. The guitar now plays beautifully and is fully in spec with plenty of saddle remaining for adjustment in either direction. The neck has slightly more relief than a modern guitar but well within parameters. There are some minor chips in the ebony fingerboard around the frets — entirely typical of vintage ebony boards of this era and easily filled if preferred. The back, sides, body, and neck are in great shape with no major repairs and no cracks. The top is nice and flat. Some finish wear, and small dings and chips in the finish consistent with a fifty-year-old instrument, all shown clearly in the photos. It sounds exactly the way a great vintage D-45 should — big, warm bass, sweet highs, and the kind of complex, fully opened-up voice that only decades of play and age can produce. The original case is in very nice shape.
A note for buyers: at this level of instrument we strongly encourage serious inquiries, additional photos, and questions before purchasing. We are happy to provide whatever information you need. This is a significant transaction and we want you to have complete confidence going in.
- Make: Martin
- Model: D-45
- Year: 1972
- Serial number: 291959
- Country of origin: USA (Nazareth, PA)
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce, natural gloss
- Back and sides: Solid East Indian rosewood
- Bracing: Scalloped X-brace
- Neck: Mahogany, soft V profile
- Fingerboard: Bound ebony, hexagonal abalone inlays
- Bridge: Ebony (new)
- Saddle: New, plenty of material remaining
- Nut: 1-11/16"
- Scale length: 25.4"
- Frets: 22 (refretted)
- Rosette: Abalone pearl
- Binding: Abalone pearl top, back and sides
- Back strip: Style 45 zigzag
- Pickguard: New
- Tuners: Grover, gold
- Modifications: Neck reset, new bridge and saddle, full refret, new pickguard — all performed by Martin-certified technician, Northampton MA
- Condition: Used Very Good – minor finish wear, small dings and chips in finish, minor ebony chips around frets typical of vintage boards, no cracks, no major repairs, flat top, plays in spec
- Includes: Original Martin hardshell case (very nice shape)
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
