Martin D45 – Worth The Hype? [REVIEW]

martin d45 review

If you’re wondering if Martin D45 is a good acoustic guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that high-end model. It’s one of the most expensive offers made by this brand, but is it actually worth the money?

The truth is that Martin D45 is a real piece of art. It’s not surprising that this is guitar is so expensive – it’s absolutely beautiful. It definitely sounds, looks and feels like a high quality instrument.

Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the D45 model so good among the passionate players all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that guitar. Additionally, we’ll investigate its major advantages and disadvantages. Of course, there will also be a few sound demos included as well!

Specs & Pricing

martin d45 review

Martin D45 is a gorgeous high-end acoustic guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. This is one of the most iconic guitars made by this brand – it has a really long and interesting history.

What makes the D45 so cool? Well, the guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and solid East Rosewood back and sides. There’s also a really comfortable mahogany neck with an easy-playing ebony fretboard.

The guitar features a lot of really interesting features such as butterbean gold tuning knobs and hand-set abalone inlays. These details really stand out – it’s difficult not to notice the unique vintage vibe of that guitar. However, it also has a lot of modern features as well.

Most importantly, the D45 features the forward shifted, scalloped X-bracing, which significantly improves the overall tone of that model. The resonance, sustain, deep lows and crisp highs are absolutely amazing in that guitar!

When it comes to pricing, it costs a lot. In fact, this is one of the most expensive models that are currently sold by Martin. It’s a really discouraging amount of money but it’s totally worth it – especially if you’re searching for a dream guitar.

Overall, it’s a beautiful and a complete guitar. It has absolutely everything that you need from a high-end acoustic guitar. It’s just impossible not to fall in love with it.

Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.

Who Is It For?

Martin D45 is suitable for all-level players thanks to the easy-playing and comfortable neck. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a complete amateur or an intermediate guitarist – you will definitely notice and appreciate the high quality of that beautiful instrument.

However, considering the fact that it’s not a cheap guitar, it’s mainly used by passionate, advanced guitarists. It’s also perfect for guitar collectors.

The D45 is a very versatile model, so it can be efficiently used in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into folk, country, blues or rock, you can be sure that this guitar won’t let you down.

Additionally, since it’s a beautifully sounding instrument, it’s also perfect for any musician who records in a studio. The tone of that axe stands out in the mix, so you can be sure that you’ll sound amazing on any record.

Also, the D45 is often considered as a holy grail in the acoustic guitar world. If you want to check it off your bucket list, this guitar will be ideal for you.

Overall, the vast majority of guitarists will immediately fall in love with Martin D45. That’s what I’m sure of!

Here’s an another sound demo.

Pros & Cons

Just like any other guitar available on the market, Martin D45 has its own advantages and disadvantages. To be honest, it’s really difficult to find any major flaws of an instrument at this level, but there’s one important thing that may discourage you from getting it for yourself.

Pros

  • Amazing Tone
  • Beautiful Finish
  • High Attention To Detail
  • Easy-Playing Neck
  • Perfect For Guitar Collectors

Cons

  • High Price

The D45 is absolutely unique, there’s no doubt with that. It looks, feels and sounds amazing, but it’s not surprising – in the end, it’s a pretty expensive guitar!

But on the other hand, the high price seems to be the main disadvantage of that model.

This guitar is way more expensive than some of the high-end Taylor, Gibson and Takamine guitars. It’s also possible to find a lot of other great Martin guitars that are far more affordable – just like the D18, D28 or D35.

However, considering how unique the D45 is, it’s pretty clear why this guitar costs so much. It’s just one of the best acoustic guitars in the world! So if you have the budget for it, the advantages of that model will outweigh its disadvantages.

Martin D28 vs D42 vs D45

Getting a new high-end Martin guitar can be really challenging due to the fact that this manufacturer has a lot of fantastic guitars in their offer. Most of the time, guitarists have to make a choice between choosing either Martin D28, D42 or D45.

The truth is that it’s really difficult to pick a clear winner of that battle – all of these three acoustic guitars sound awesome. The price difference between these guitars is pretty significant – Martin D45 is way more expensive than the D28 and D42.

Which one would I choose? Well, I think if I had an unlimited budget, I’d go with the D45. However, it seems that the D28 offers the best value for the money – it’s much more affordable.

As you can see, it’s all really subjective. Since all of these guitars sound amazing, your choice should be based on your own personal preferences and the size of your budget.

Here’s a really good video that compares the tone of all of these guitars. Make sure to check it out if you want to see how they all sound!

Cheaper Alternatives

If you have a feeling that Martin D45 is not a good fit for you or simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other excellent acoustic guitars out there.

Of course, it all depends on what types of acoustic guitars you prefer the most and how much are you willing to spend.

Here’s a few other fantastic high-end acoustic models.

other acoustic guitars

Firstly, make sure to check out Taylor 614CE V-Class. This is an another amazing high-end guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. In comparison with Martin D45, it has a bit bigger body and a cutaway which allows you to easily access the highest frets. Although it’s expensive, it’s still way more affordable than the D45!

Alternatively, you can also consider getting the legendary Gibson J45. This is a truly iconic model used by some of the most successful guitarists and musicians of all time. It’s built for professional use, so it’s perfect for live gigs and studio sessions. If you’re a working musician, you will definitely benefit from adding this model to your own collection!

There’s also Takamine P5DC, which is a bit more affordable than Taylor 614CE and Gibson J45. This is an another excellent acoustic-electric guitar that exceeds all the expectations. It’s really well made and it’s perfect for anyone who’s searching for a great sounding and reliable high-end guitar.

FAQ

Where is the D45 model made?

Martin D45 is manufactured in the United States.

Where can I find out more about Martin guitars?

If you want to find out more about this legendary manufacturer of acoustic guitars, check out the official website of Martin.

Summary

As you can see, Martin D45 is an absolutely unique acoustic guitar. Despite of the high price, it’s worth it. Especially if you’re searching for the best possible gear available on the market. It’s difficult to compare that guitar with anything else – it’s just one-of-a-kind. What a guitar!

What do you think of that model? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful! If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:

Dave
Dave

Hey! I'm Dave and I'm the founder of Best Guitars Now. Thanks for checking out my blog - hopefully you found what you were looking for!

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