Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe Acoustic Guitar

The Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe acoustic guitar is a perfect blend of old and new, fusing classic craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Spec'd in spruce, it has an aged Sitka soundboard supported by Adirondack X-bracing. This D-45 is voiced like a golden-era Martin, but veers from history with a carbon fiber bridge plate and contemporary neck. Elaborate inlays and elegant binding make the Modern Deluxe acoustic just as striking visually as it is sonically. 

A New Guitar That Sounds Old

Martin ages the Sitka spruce top on this dreadnought acoustic using its Vintage Tone System (VTS). By heating the tonewood at a high temperature—a process known as torrefaction—the soundboard becomes molecularly similar to one from the 1930s. You'll hear it ring with more resonance. The Adirondack spruce braces are also aged; they're arranged in a forward-shifted pattern to increase the low-end response. Rosewood back and sides produce complex overtones with a bright top end.

Upscale Appointments

Martin dresses up the D-45 with European flame maple binding on the body and neck, a feature previously limited to Custom Shop guitars. The same flame appears on the heelcap and endpiece. Abalone multi-stripe inlays line the top, back and sides; the ebony fretboard is inlaid with Golden Era Style 45 snowflakes. Gold EVO frets complement the gold, open-gear butterbean tuners. Finally, the headstock is topped with a turn-of-the-century torch inlay, plus a ’30s-style script logo inlaid with mother of pearl. 

Modern Updates

The neck profile on the Modern Deluxe D-45 is based on an extremely rare acoustic in the company's archives—a 1930 OM-45 Deluxe. That historic guitar has a slight asymmetrical neck shape that's surprisingly contemporary, making it a perfect fit for the D-45. The High Performance Taper on the ebony fingerboard contributes to a fast, comfortable playing experience. Martin adds a carbon fiber bridge plate that's stronger than maple for more projection and sustain. Liquidmetal bridge pins boost the output by 3dB to 5dB.

Other features include a tortoise-patterned pickguard, plus a bone nut and saddle. The Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe comes with a hardshell case.