1939 C.F. Martin & Co. D-45
A 1939 pre-war D-45 — peak annual production with 14 made. The highest annual output of the pre-war D-45 run. Full abalone inlay, scalloped bracing, and the finest materials available.
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) |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 14 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic — full abalone inlay treatment.
What Changed in 1939
Pre-war D-45 at peak annual production — 14 made. This is the highest single-year production of the pre-war D-45. Full abalone, scalloped bracing, Brazilian rosewood, Adirondack spruce. WWII would soon end production.
Collector's Notes
1939 represents the peak of pre-war D-45 annual production, making these the most 'available' pre-war D-45s — though still extraordinarily rare in absolute terms.
How to Authenticate a 1939 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 1939, 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.