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
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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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.
How to Authenticate a 1937 C.F. Martin & Co. D-45
Martin serial numbers are the most reliable in the industry — verify the number stamped on the neck block (visible through the soundhole) against Martin's published tables. For 1937, the number should fall within the documented range. The back and sides should be Brazilian rosewood — this is the single most important factor in valuation. Brazilian rosewood has distinctive grain variation (chocolate to violet-brown) and a sweet smell. Indian rosewood (post-1969) is more uniform and darker. Scalloped bracing should be visible through the soundhole (use mirror or inspection camera) — this is critical for pre-1944 models. The D-45's distinctive abalone pearl bordering on top, back, sides, fingerboard, and headstock must all be original. Only ~91 pre-war D-45s were made — professional authentication mandatory. Values can exceed $500,000. Check for neck resets, top cracks (especially near soundhole and bridge), and bridge plate condition. Tuners should be Grover Sta-Tite (gold). Finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer with age-appropriate wear. Original case adds value.