Martin’s D-41 is a tour de force as it pertains to the art of acoustic craftsmanship, boasting stunning inlay work, superior tonewoods, and the booming, bass-heavy character that only a Martin dread can provide. This refreshed Standard series D-41 turns back the clock to Martin’s most cherished era, elevating the D-41’s late-1960s Martin formula with traditional prewar specs. Most importantly, the refreshed D-41’s solid spruce top now boasts GE-scalloped, forward-shifted X-bracing to maximize its response and provide guitarists with a livelier and more resonant feel. A set of rosewood back and sides then complements the top with complex overtones, shimmering highs, and the D-41’s signature booming low-end wallop. Plus, the genuine mahogany neck’s GE Modified Low Oval profile and 1.75-inch nut width are geared to please high-speed flatpickers, fingerstyle pros, and couch strummers alike with its fast and comfortable feel. You also get several other Standard series refresh upgrades, including a thinner beveled ebony fingerboard and a sleek vintage heel. For more than 50 years, Martin’s D-41 has offered guitarists a beaming, bling-encrusted twist on the brand’s iconic rosewood dreadnought platform, and the refreshed D-41 only enhances that formula with definitive Golden Age style and sound.
For the uninitiated, deciphering Martin’s 40 series models can be a challenge. Just what differentiates these guitars from classic Martin dreadnoughts like the D-28, HD-28, and so on? In one word: trim. The D-41 flaunts dazzling inlay work around the breadth of its top, along with stunning abalone rosette and glittering reduced hexagon inlays on the bound ebony fingerboard. And while these upgrades are sure to draw the envy of every guitarist in sight, Sweetwater's discerning vintage Martin fanatics particularly appreciate how the D-41 wears a true genuine mahogany neck — as opposed to the select hardwood neck found on Martin’s standard-issue dreads. And as a simple Martin gold foil logo simply wouldn’t do on a model so distinguished, the D-41’s headstock shines with a brilliantly inlaid CMF Martin logo.
Back in Martin’s legendary prewar era, a single tonewood combination stood above all others: spruce and rosewood. It was the standard-issue choice for Martin’s most aesthetically extravagant models, from the 28 series all the way up to the flagship Style 45. And while mahogany now (rightfully so) enjoys an equal status in sound compared to rosewood, it’s tough to argue with the sheer visual elegance of finely grained rosewood and the sheer dynamic and expressive range of spruce.
Martin’s refreshed D-41 carries on this time-tested tradition, starting with a resonant and responsive solid spruce top. Underneath the top, Martin’s GE-scalloped, forward-shifted X-bracingg recalls the booming bass drawl of the brand’s mythologized prewar models to unleash a thunderous projection that will dominate any acoustic ensemble. It’s all topped off with rosewood back and sides that shimmer with crisp top-end chime, dense lows, and a rich harmonic depth that imbues your every note with copious harmonic complexity.
If there were such a thing as a “standard” acoustic guitar shape, it would undoubtedly be the dreadnought. It’s Martin’s most iconic model and a key component to the cannon-like projection and booming bass response that’s defined the Nazareth sound since the D-18 and D-28 appeared in the early 1930s — and even earlier if you count Martin’s “Ditson” models! Whether you’re a flatpicking bluegrass phenom or a singer/songwriter strummer, a Martin dreadnought will provide you with a lifetime’s worth of superior steel-string tone.
Considering the storied history of Martin’s acoustic guitar engineering and building practices, there’s no question that the company’s iconic models stand firm as the backbone of American steel-string instrument design. With this sentiment top of mind, Martin presents the refreshed Standard series: a lineup dedicated to reviving the looks and tone of the brand’s golden-era vintage models while introducing a complex set of modern performance enhancements. The result is a comprehensive update to Martin’s most revered range of instruments, combining tonal authenticity with the comfort and versatility of a contemporary instrument. Across-the-board changes include remarkably responsive GE (Golden Era) bracing, thinner fingerboards with beveled edges, a slick vintage-style heel, angled nuts, and GE belly bridges equipped with bone or ebony bridge pins. What’s more, the refreshed standard series introduces a fresh new trio of Martin models back into the fold, including the iconic 000-17, D-17, and OM-45. Refreshed with a plethora of musician-requested features, the Standard series harnesses the power of these legendary acoustics and takes center stage once again.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | D-41 Standard Dreadnought |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Top Wood | Solid Spruce |
| Top Finish | Gloss |
| Color | 1933 Ambertone |
| Body Bracing | Scalloped Forward Shifted X-bracing |
| Binding | Antique White |
| Neck Wood | Genuine Mahogany |
| Neck Finish | Satin |
| Neck Shape | GE Modified Low Oval |
| Radius | 16" |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Hexagon |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 25.4" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Tuning Machines | Nickel Open-gear |
| Strings | Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0, .013-.056 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
We are proud to provide some of the fastest turnaround times on eBay. We use FedEx or UPS for most items, and USPS for smaller items. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico should contact us for a shipping quote.
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot ship large items to PO boxes, please provide an alternate address. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
Sweetwater's been selling on eBay since 2001, with 99.9% positive feedback!