Martin D-42 Acoustic Guitar - Natural Reviews

I've had plenty of Gibson acoustics but have always wanted a Martin and finally purchased a D42. Let me tell ya the sound is incredible and plays like a dream. Also want to thank Corbin for giving me a heck of a deal.

I played numerous Martin guitars including a 45, 42, 41 and several 28's in search of that "Golden Era" tone. I had my heart set on, and played three different, (D-28 ) 37 Authentic's. However, I simply could not find a guitar that sounded as good, to my ear, as this D-42. I was shocked at how much better this 42 sounded than every other guitar I played. I expected the 45 and at least one of the 37's to have the best tone. Perhaps 50 years from now the results will be different. However, this year during my guitar search the 42 was the winner. Additionally, David Hess made it all possible. He allowed me to "test drive" the guitar and make the comparisons at other Martin retailers. I don't think I could be happier with an acoustic guitar purchase. I am most pleased with my D-42 and the entire purchase process. Thanks to David and the great folks at Sweetwater.

The Martin D-42 my many including myself think that the D-42 is the best guitar in the Standard series. With the forward shifted bracing it has a better tone than the D-45. The golden aging toner on the spruce top, and the snowflake inlays, are aesthetic pluses. The fit and finish are flawless on my D-42, as it should be for this level of guitar. The playability is fantastic. And the best part, the sound, is spectacular. It rings, it sings!

This guitar which I bought from sweetwater 3 years ago is fantastic!!! The sound is out of this world. It plays like a dream. I am very picky but this guitar fulfills all of my desires in an acoustic ax. I couldn't be happier with another acoustic guitar!

Was very hesitant to buy a guitar like this online, thanks COVID. I preordered and it was delivered last week.
After going over this with fine tooth comb I could not be happier. The guys at Sweetwater were very helpful and
sent pics etc. As you can tell very happy with the purchase and will be buying from them in the near future.

First, let me express my appreciation to the hard working folks at Sweetwater for the excellent service and fast shipping. My new guitar arrived a day earlier than expected and in perfect condition. Thanks to FedEx for fast delivery and no damage.

This is an excellent example of what experienced, skilled, craftsmen can produce in the good ole USA. The folks at Martin are continuing the tradition of MADE IN USA with pride.

Don't get me wrong, there are many great guitars produced in other countries. I own more than a few. But it's hard to beat these high end Martin Dreadnoughts. This one arrived in tune and setup just like I wanted with low action and perfect intonation. It needs only to be played and that's what I'm doing with it. I have other Martins including a custom shop D35 but this one is the best guitar I have ever had the pleasure of playing. Great low end with no muddiness. Very clear mids and crystal highs. Great balance across the entire spectrum of sound. Extremely responsive and articulate from the lightest touch to the hardest strumming. It can get very loud if you really dig in but no buzzing or harsh overtones. I can get sounds from this guitar that continue to surprise and delight me. This has re-awakened the songwriter in my soul. I'm already working on a couple of new tunes. The 13's on this guitar seem to be what it was made for. I use 12's on most of my other Dreadnoughts but I think I'll stay with these strings. Finger style is mostly what I play and this guitar fits my style perfectly.
I have not found a flaw or dislike with this guitar so far. If there is any negative at all it would be the lack of an upper strap button. I've only played it sitting so far so I haven't needed one. I'm a little hesitant to add one because I don't want to drill a hone to mount it. The strap attached at the neck just doesn't work for me. Not sure what I will do about that.

This is an expensive guitar for me. I'm not wealthy and had to use my sweetwater credit card to get it. Thanks again to Sweetwater for extended terms with no interest. I'm just thankful and blessed to be able to get it for Christmas.
If you decide to purchase the Martin D42, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I did read the one negative review that was posted and find it hard to believe that such a guitar left Sweetwater in that condition. I have purchased several instruments from the company and never had a bad experience. I'm sorry that he didn't get a guitar just like mine.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

High price but worth it. The culmination of Martin history, quality and workmanship in a modern new instrument that sounds loud and clear. I struggled with buying an older instrument, but I decided to buy new. Everything Martin has come to learn making high quality instruments proven. Love it, and my decision. Rock on!

Well kiddies, it is time to take you out behind the barn and tell you the facts of life about Martins in general, the D 42 in particular, and Sweetwater service. Now, in my opinion, all Martins are wonderful, especially the D 18, D28, and D 40 series, for those who like the big dreadnaught sound. Let's just say that somebody had a D18 Modern Deluxe, a D 18 Golden era, and now a D42 (only my guitar confessor, sales engineer Greg Baum, could confirm this under duress). How would you choose if you could only keep one guitar? If you were strictly a bluegrass guy or gal, you might pick the D18 GE for the standard taper neck which is great for fast G runs, has the 1934 specs with Adirondack Spruce top, and a huge voice. This neck is also great for finger style, with all that extra room. The Modern Deluxe D 18 has an absolutely gorgeous tone from the torrefied top, huge volume, and the easiest neck in history. It can do anything. These mahogany-bodied dreads are both fabulous. So why get a D 42? ( I think that is a quote from my wife). Well, the biggest reason, aside from my questionable mental status, is because of the rosewood body. This tone wood has to be heard to be believed. The highs ring like bells, and the lows are massive without overwhelming. The sustain is just endless. You can feel every note inside your torso. The volume is also huge, but without overpowering, and each string is clear and defined. It is actually the wood choice of most bluegrass professionals, but also of many folk, pop, and other genres. I love the rather plain look of most Martins, but the intricately crafted appointments of the D 42 are so beautiful that they seem to enhance the experience of playing. This is what sets the 42 aside from the 28 and the 35, along with the bracing and the flawless craftsmanship of the Custom Shop. As to Sweetwater service, it also must be experienced to see what perfect service really means. Greg Baum was just amazing during the process of selecting and ordering this treasure and his Martin knowledge is unsurpassed. He got it done despite the Covid 19 obstacles. Well, I guess the D 42 is the survivor.

I bought a OOO-42 and love it.
This review is more to answer what I call B.S. from Michael Johnson and his "horrible" experience with his alleged purchase of a Martin. First off, Martin would never let a guitar out of their factory before it had gone through a very thorough quality control check. So my question for you is, which guitar company do you work for? You're obviously trying to denegrate the best acoustic guitar company on planet earth...

As mentioned, it is my dream acoustic. I owned a Gibson Songwriter, which was an awesome guitar, but I have always dreamed of having a good Martin. My Sales Engineer, Greg Baum, hooked me up with a beautiful D-41 and a D-42 to play both and see which one I liked best. The D-41 was awesome, but the D-42, to my ear, was much better sounding. The bass end booms and the highs are just right at the same time. I could not be happier. It is a stunning guitar to look at, but how it plays and sounds is just incredible. Still smiling every time I take it out to play.....

OK, let me set this up for you: I've owned several Collings, Taylors, Martins, Gibsons, Lakewoods, and Fender Acoustic guitars. I'm a player, no a collector, and I've enjoyed them all. Up to now, the Collings have (for good reason) been my absolute fave guitars, as they recorded and played well right out of the box. I've used several vintage Martins on several recordings, and I've always loved their overall "tone". I've tried to fall in love with Taylors, and I do currently have one, but none have satisfied me in total.

So, that brings me to this one. A friend of mine in the Netherlands has played this guitar for years, and suggested that I might really enjoy it based upon my needs, loves, and wants.

But…$...! Yep. $... Not a fun number to talk about, but the woods are disappearing, and we'd all best be prepared to pay the price for "progress" and disappearing forests. (Kudos here to Taylor and the other manufacturers pushing for sustainability and conservation)

So, I HAD to try it. And I got it. (Thank you Jeff Barnett!) And, right out of the box this one is a STUNNER! I'm not a big fan of "gold" appointments, but this one wears them well. The purfling is amazing. The woods have a fantastic grain, and the ebony fingerboard looks incredible.

And then the SOUND! Firstly mine arrived PERFECTLY in tune (thank you Sweetwater). I mean, I recorded it after a 24 hour settling period and it was dead on. Incredible.

It fills the room, and it records well, but it fills your BODY. It resonates SO well with me when I play it, I can absolutely feel each and every note in my bones and my veins, quite literally. It just sounds "right". It sounds seasoned right out of the box. It sounds "big", but not "brash". Articulate, but not "zingy". And it plays ... "easy" is the word. Just a phenomenal guitar made by amazing craftsmen with amazing materials.

The best thing is, it is only going to get better as it seasons. It's an heirloom piece, sure, but it is WELL worth the price tag, if you can possibly do it.

CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT A HASSEL THIS GUITAR HAS BEEN....THE BINDING CAME LOOSE AND WITH ALL THE SHIPPING AND TIME WASTING TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO GET BACK AND NOW HAS A SHADOW LIKE SOMEBODY'S SWEATY BODY LEFT ON THE BACK SIDE TOWARDS THE TOP....I ORIGINALLY GOT IT WITH A GLITCH IN THE BACK OF THE NECK ABOUT 1.25 INCH WHERE THE LAQUER DIDN'T TAKE AND NOW IS A CONSTANT IRRITATION TO THE TOUCH....LIKE A SCAR....I HAVE TO PROVE IT IS NOT SOMETHING I DID....TRY THAT....AND THEN MORE SHIPPING AND WAITING....THE ACTION WAS TERRIBLE RIGHT FROM THE START AND THEY CLAIM THEIR BEST TECHS ONLY WORK ON THESE HIGH END MODELS....I CAN'T FIND ANY LOCAL HELP CENTER ASSISTANCE....IN NAME ONLY....SOUND IS STRONG AND IF IT WERE SET UP RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INITIALLY IT WOULD BE NICE WITHOUT ALL THE NOISE AND UNWANTED HARMONICS