1937 C.F. Martin & Co. D-45
A 1937 pre-war D-45 — only 8 made. The apex of acoustic guitar craftsmanship. Full abalone ornamentation, scalloped bracing, Brazilian rosewood, and Adirondack spruce.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$525,000–$1,250,000
Very Good
$310,000–$525,000
Good
$185,000–$310,000
Fair
$92,000–$185,000
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Spruce (top), Brazilian Rosewood (back and sides — maximum abalone ornament) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.400" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | None (acoustic) |
| Bridge | Ebony belly bridge (with abalone inlay) |
| Tuners | Grover Sta-Tite (gold) |
| Nut Width | 1.69" |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 8 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic — the most ornate flat-top ever produced.
What Changed in 1937
Pre-war D-45 — only 8 made in 1937. Full abalone inlay treatment, scalloped X-bracing, Adirondack spruce top, Brazilian rosewood. Each instrument represents hundreds of hours of inlay work.
Collector's Notes
Every pre-war D-45 is individually documented. Authentication by Martin's records and independent experts is mandatory. The investment value of pre-war D-45s has consistently appreciated over decades.