Martin D-45 Custom Shop Adirondack Guatemalan Rosewood 2023

C.F. Martin & Co. D-45 Custom Shop (2023) – Adirondack Spruce & Guatemalan Rosewood – Golden Era Bracing

This Martin D-45 Custom Shop from 2023 is a very special custom-ordered version of Martin’s flagship dreadnought, combining traditional Style 45 craftsmanship with premium tonewoods and several carefully selected upgrades.

The most significant change from a standard D-45 is the Adirondack spruce top, chosen for its power, clarity, dynamic range and exceptional headroom. Compared with Sitka spruce, Adirondack typically offers a stronger fundamental response and greater ability to open up when played aggressively, while remaining highly responsive to a lighter touch.

The back and sides are made from premium Guatemalan rosewood, selected for its dramatic grain and rich tonal character. Guatemalan rosewood is known for combining deep bass and complex overtones with excellent clarity and definition, making it a superb match for the powerful Adirondack top. The headplate is also Guatemalan rosewood, complementing the ornate Style 45 headstock inlay.

Another major upgrade is the Golden Era scalloped X-bracing, made from Adirondack spruce. This vintage-inspired bracing construction gives the top a more responsive and open character, contributing to strong projection, broad dynamic range and long sustain.

The guitar has also been upgraded with Martin Liquidmetal bridge pins, the same advanced bridge-pin material used on the Modern Deluxe series. These lightweight pins are designed to improve energy transfer, clarity and sustain.

This 2023 Martin D-45 Custom Shop shows light signs of normal use but remains in very good overall condition. There are no major visible scratches. A small area of finish near the soundhole side of the bridge has slightly lifted, but this does not affect normal use.

The guitar has been professionally adjusted for comfortable playability. Current string action is approximately 2.25 mm on the bass side and 1.65 mm on the treble side at the 12th fret, with approximately 5 mm of saddle height remaining. The truss rod adjusts correctly in both directions, and the frets show only light use.

Specifications – Martin D-45 Custom Shop (2023)

• Brand: C.F. Martin & Co.
• Model: D-45 Custom Shop / CTM D-45
• Year: 2023
• Body Size: Dreadnought, 14-Fret
• Top: Solid Adirondack Spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid Guatemalan Rosewood
• Headplate: Guatemalan Rosewood
• Bracing: Golden Era Scalloped X-Bracing
• Brace Material: Adirondack Spruce
• Top Finish: Clear Natural – No Aging Toner
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Bridge: Ebony
• Bridge Pins: Martin Liquidmetal
• Style: Premium Style 45 Appointments
• Headstock Inlay: Style 45 / Torch-Style Pearl Inlay
• String Action at 12th Fret: Approx. 2.25 mm bass / 1.65 mm treble
• Saddle Height: Approx. 5 mm
• Truss Rod: Adjustable in Both Directions
• Frets: Light Wear, Plenty of Life Remaining
• Condition: Very Good
• Cosmetic Notes: Light signs of use; small area of finish lifting near the bridge
• Case: Original Martin Hardshell Case