The World's Greatest Acoustic Guitar? - The Martin D45 played by Andrew Keeping

Time stamps
00:00 :Opening Credits
00:20 :Introduction
01:07 :Blues Solo
01:43 :My Back Story
03:53 :Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
05:05 :History of the Martin D45
05:54 :Description of D45
06:42 :1st Impressions
07:37 :Improvisation
08:07 :Conclusion
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In this video I get to fulfil a life long dream and play the iconic Martin D45 Standard Acoustic Guitar. Regarded by many to be the greatest of all acoustic guitars. I go into a little about the history of the instrument, a description of the D45, and a little about my history with this instrument. I perform various styles to show the tone and playability of this guitar in my studio.
I thank my dear friend Bob Mortimore for the use of this guitar prior to it's sale. If you are interested in purchasing this very guitar, please feel free to PM me.
I have used a stereo pair of Schoeps CMC 6U's to record the guitar going into an RME Fireface 802. Some very limited EQ and Hall reverb by Fabfilter.
Music played -
David Qualey's beautiful arrangement of Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring"
A Blues improvisation,
some other improvisations and
George Sheering's "Lullaby of Birdland" are. John H Duarte.
#Martinguitars #MartinD45 #VintageGuitars #Acousticguitar #Guitar
For further enquiries and information please look at the links below. It would be lovely to have you join me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter. My music and albums can be streamed on Spotify and iTunes. If you would like to book Online Zoom guitar lessons or purchase recommended gear via my Amazon Affiliate page, please click on the links below.
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[@leftyjcw7173]

I own 5 Martins. All leftys. My D45 is the greatest guitar I’ve ever seen or played. Been playing since 1968.

[@gfurstnsu]

They did not relocate the pick guard. Martin started putting pick guards on with the OM series guitars in the early 1930s. At the time they would glue the pick guard on before the Lacquer was sprayed on. That means the pick guard was glued directly to the wood. What happened is that with time the pick guard would shrink slightly. As it did it caused the underlying wood it was glued to would crack, often at the top and bottom of the pick guard. This became to be called the “Martin Crack”. Around the 1980s they decided to spray the lacquer on first then put the pick guard on. That meant that when the plastic pick guard shrank, it did not crack the wood. This was a major improvement as the prior cracks were in a vital location, adjacent to the sound hole. A prime example of this is the very expensive prewar D-45 in the Martin museum, has the cracks adjacent to the pick guard that I refer to above. I always wonder why this change did not occur earlier, as it was a very simple change, but at the same time a very important change.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks so much for this update.

[@johnhuggins5021]

Hey Andrew. I've been playing acoustic guitars since I was 13 yrs old and now I somehow have reached the ripe young age of 67 and still play. While I have several guitars made from as many different companies, I have to say, when I finally was able to recently purchase the D-45, with the blessing of my Boss Lady (AKA, my Wife), I couldn't believe how unbelievable this instrument plays and sounds compared to any acoustic guitar I own (including my D-28), or that I have ever played! Every time I play it I feel like I've died and gone to heaven! I totally concur with your comments regarding this instrument. Unlike you, however, I was fortunate that when I received my D-45 new from the company, I discovered they now install gold-plated Grover tuning heads that allow the instrument to be tuned effortlessly. And the strings they now install are their relatively new Luxe by Martin Titanium-Core Acoustic Guitar Strings, Light-Tension Pure Nickel Wrap. The bass & sustain from the strings on this guitar are, again, un-frickin' believeable. And aside from hitting the strings with your fingers or pick, hammering is crazy easy to do all the way up the neck with a rich, beautiful sound. Knowing what I know now about this guitar, I would have sold all my guitars just to have owned this one model years ago. Thank you for your review. Unbelieveable and worth every cent!!

[@raulortiz4627]

I've never owned a Martin guitar. I played one briefly not realizing. Would like to own one in the near future.

[@danielpeysson8239]

Nice review ! I have a D 45 martin marquis and it's a prototype (2/3) and it's a dream !

[@jangarrack]

I always find your in depth reviews the best and most informative out there and this is no exception. I really enjoyed your style of playing on a type of guitar I usually associate with being strummed or flat picked and I thought that really demonstrated the versatility of it. It's certainly a beautiful guitar and as always, a very interesting and professional review. Thank you.

[@AndrewKeeping]

I appreciate that Jeff! Thanks so much. Best wishes to you.

[@ericbitzer5247]

I took a tour of the Martin factory and they have a room full of demo guitars. The D45 was my dream acoustic so I was on that the longest. I think I tried every one. Needless to say, I was in that room for a couple hours.

[@scottbeckett111]

Great video! Hopefully one day I will take the plunge and buy one

[@garyphelps9123]

ive never been around a d 45 and neverplayed one but i did own a d 28 and it was beautiful

[@brandond3243]

Beautiful plating

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you! 😊

[@paulheartsongs]

Beautiful instrument. Wow! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and lovely playing! I have been lucky enough to play a few D-45s. They always impress. My impression has been they have a rich and complete sound. I played an OM or 00-45 recently. It was fantastic and I really enjoyed the whole experience.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@EdwinGuzmanRD]

You looks like a pure classical guitar. Your technique is so clean and nit. Nice instrument is my dream

[@davidstoeckl6439]

I loved your video. You went beyond telling us about the architectural design most videos spout, then you played longer the instrument than most so we could really hear it. I wonder what strings it had when you played it? Thanks again.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@teashea1]

Very nice review. It is a wonderful guitar.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you kindly!

[@patriciosva]

Hello Andre ....based in the history background of the martin d45 prewar.....they where built for light strings nickel....not medium like today people believe......becouse in 1940 the medium string is what today people used as a light gouge.......

[@123rory]

Well this has EiR vs BRW B&S that you played way back in 68. The beat sounding Sitka / EIR of Martin IMO. Even vs the soon discounted D-28A&AA with Madi.left shop with the D-45re 3 years ago. The D-28AA was one of the first 50ti made.

[@Jasper_Yay636]

IMO, Wtf, you speak any english?

[@guitjammin4710]

Andrew, I wonder if a D-45 sounds different/better than a really nice sounding D-28? Blingy abalone aside, does the premium wood used for a D-45 top and back/sides truly make a noticeable difference? I've never spent any time playing a D-45 but I have played many D-28's that sounded better than the D-41's I've played hence my hesitation to pay up for the abalone inlays.

[@bogarbill6331]

I pulled the trigger for a d45. Worth every Penny. Better than al the Martins I owned before in my life. Believe me I had many 😅 It’s iconic!

[@ONsvintagemusicroom]

Hello, very nice video and playing! Can I ask you about when your d45 was made? I own a 1995 year’s d45 standard. And I guess your d45 was made in 1990’s too?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Yes this guitar was late 1990's

[@ONsvintagemusicroom]

@@AndrewKeeping Thank you for your response! 1990’s D45 is really good^_^

[@hennerkrug6674]

Ich stehe auf Martin Gitarren!Habe mir relativ "Günstig"eine D41 vor 2 Jahren zugelegt und bin begeistert aber die Preise bei Martin sind utopisch geworden!!10 bis 12.000Euro ist einfach übertrieben für eine D45!!

[@Billsingsong]

What do you think of the Martin D 35 with an LR Baggs anthem installed?

[@whimpypatrol5503]

We're assuming this D45 has brazilian back and sides. Most built after 1968 dont, and are a fraction of the cost. They all sound different, but I have heard one with Indian Rosewood that also sounds fantastic (if you like bluegrass quality tones). While the Indian Rosewood D45 was priced about 1/10th, or so, the price of a brazilian, it still sounds fantastic.

[@garyphelps9123]

new ones are indian rosewod mostly

[@gfurstnsu]

I assume this guitar has Indian Rosewood not Brazilian. When they started making the D-45 again in 1968, only a few hundred had the Brazilian Rosewood. They are very rare and collectors items. The D-45s made in the following years used East Indian Rosewood. They also use the very best Sitka Spruce. The best grade, grade 8, is used on the D-45. Mine has a very tight grain with over 300 years on the top sound board. We say that a wide grain on Adirondack tops is best and a tight grain on Sitka spruce is best. The D-45 I own has the tightest grain I have ever found in a tone wood and that accounts for the amazing punchy tone of the guitar.

[@piotrzakrzewski1612]

Hihi Andrew, how do you compare playability D45 vs D28 ? Is any difference in comfort regarding neck ?

[@AndrewKeeping]

To be honest. There is very little difference in the playability. Depending what strings you find to be best for the instrument and your hands, you will find them very similar.

[@piotrzakrzewski1612]

@@AndrewKeeping thank you very much, I feel bit uncomfortable playing in high positions on my D28 and have no chance to check D45 with my local music stores.

[@shahidsarkar3620]

It’s ❤😂like piano

[@johnwashburn3793]

So,what strings do you recommend? I have a 50 year old Alvarez built like a D35 but with mahogany in the middle. It is amazing. I also have a Martin D18GE. Do you have any idea about strings for the Alvarez?

[@AndrewKeeping]

My usual piece of advice here is to try out different sets of strings and different gauges until you find the one that works for you on that guitar. Every persons hands are different and it also depends on what style of music you play the mosts. I opt for harder gauge string as I fingerpick more and look for longer lasting tone from my strings. I'm afraid it is an age old discussion that has no definitive answer. Good luck!

[@Billsingsong]

What pick up installed do you recommend?

[@kensmith3257]

What do you think about Martin D35 and what make and grade of strings needed?

[@Tzadeck]

It's really best to play a D18, a D28, an HD28, and a D35 before you buy a Martin dreadnought. They are all pretty different tonally, and it depends on personal preference. Personally I love a D18. That said, the only Martin I own now is an OM-28, which I'd take over any dreadnought.

[@johnhuggins5021]

Hi Andrew. Albeit my take-away from the guitarist who wanted you to share the brand and gauge of guitar strings you prefer to use for either your style of play and/or your ears, I too would have loved to have heard what you prefer, if for no other reason than to have a great starting point without necessarily initially spending a lot of $$$ attempting to find a great set for my style of play and my ears. My hope is that you will reconsider your answer here. I have been playing the guitar since I was 14 yrs old and I'm now pushing 67 yrs young, and have yet to find that near perfect maker and gauge of strings that are the best for me. So pls throw us a bone. LoL. We all would like you to reconsider the answer to this question if for no other reason than to give us a professional guitarist's opinion of what works for him. Pls help save me some HIT and MISS, my friend. Lest your review on this make and model of guitar also falls short of the mark. LOL.

[@martinbolt6906]

Ghs doyle dykes signature string. 0 .11.½ are I think the most easy playable and beautiful sounding string I know. I tried a lot of string also but nothing compares to that set and is made in cooperation with doyle dykes a master guitarist and they did a really good job because these strings don't die at the 12th fred. You wil be surprised I am sure

[@reverb508]

D-45's truly are beautiful guitars. That said, once you get into the 28 series, the materials and construction of the Martin dreadnoughts are largely the same. Maybe the grade of the tops are a little better once you get into the 40 series, but the tops are graded based on aesthetics at Martin, not sonic characteristics. What I'm getting at is the main reason to buy a D-45 over, say, an HD-28 is because you like the abalone embellishments. The tone and playability will be no more different than they would be comparing two examples of the same model. All that being said, a large factor in my decision to buy a J-40 is that I wanted that abalone headstock! No judgment here!

[@barryjdwyer]

Picked up my first Martin - a HD28 - last month. It's something special. Was going to return it if I wasn't happy with it. First thing I did was cut off the Martin factory strings and put on a set of Elixirs. After that it sang like no other acoustic I've owned. Hope to have it with me a long time.

[@gonguetutoriales3921]

good

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks

[@federicoines1848]

$9699.00 for the guitar and $40 for the titanum strings. Its half of price of a honda civic all I can say it big WOW

[@TinyTurboTuna]

I own a 41. But to me, the 42 won.

[@ricardosotosan2279]

So it didn't feel tough playing it since it's a big dreadnought??

[@jackkurasik8371]

Yes nice guitar, but the price for D 45 is rediculous. I can get a guitar with equal quality of sound and craftsmanship for a fraction of this price. It's for collectors mainly, and as an investment.

[@stephensmith799]

Cut the EQ and Reverb!!!! Just the mics. Please 🙏

[@AndrewKeeping]

noted for future videos.

[@John-wr6yo]

An out standing symptom of guitar acquisition syndrome is the infatuation with guitar bling. The repercussions of this obsession can be just as disastrous as the infatuation with a gold digging woman. Dont do it.