Used 1977 Martin D-45 - How Does it Sound?

[@samvermeulen9740]

That magic moment when he starts flatpicking and it's the ultimate sound. heaven.

[@stigmajosh]

I've heard Tony play those riffs countless times and they've never sounded better.

[@RjBenjamin353]

I’ve heard Tony play those riffs countless times And I’m fucking sick of them!!!!

[@tulsatombob2769]

Your guitar souned great. I once owned a 1972 D-35 and it was the best guitar I ever owned.

[@hobodogjohnson9075]

I have a 1999 MartinD35 and it sounds juts like that . I love how they sound .

[@vincentlussier8264]

Holy freakin' wow, wow, wow! That old D45 sounds absolutely amazing! Martin really make incredible guitars. Once you pick it up you can't put it down!

[@seanflaherty5482]

My dad owns a martin d16gt from the 2000s and I own a Gibson J45 from 2003, beyond lucky to grow up with so these beautiful guitars

[@jimmcmahon8817]

Guitar sounds real good, lovely smooth tone. Nice playing, by the way.

[@garyharrison8891]

Iconic guitar, with beautiful tone.

[@snuffyballparks6501]

For over 30 years I've had a Guild & still love it. Played Taylor for years and then a really great Breedlove. Never really enjoyed my Gibson. Then I bought a used 2008 Martin D-28 Marquis. Just wow.

[@aname5455]

Snuffy Ballparks Hey there. I own two Gibson’s. A 1964 J50 and a 1950 SJ(Southern Jumbo). I learned to play on the SJ when I was about 12. I have had countless Martin swap offers. What model do you have? Some people prefer the rosewood some mahogany. Two different tonal woods. I don’t mean to bother you. I was just curious.

[@snuffyballparks6501]

@@aname5455 My 2008 D-28 Marquis is rosewood. I just bought a 2001 D-18GE (Mahogany) for my son. Both are just terrific dreads. Great tone and LOUD.

[@jimgallagher2979]

My '85 Guild D40 is the best sounding guitar I've ever heard, and that includes this one and my 2011 Martin D28.

[@garrettchristopher3462]

I had a late 70s guild d40c that my dad gave me. It was great. Now I have a j45 and a d28. Not doing too bad on guitars

[@haroldrull4943]

Even my iPad vibrates when you played that D-45, nice and awesome sound.

[@fohpono8884]

I played my first Martin, which belonged to my friend's father, in the early 70's which showed me why my own forgettable brand guitar was so cheap. My friend later told me his dad NEVER let anyone play it and was surprised I was allowed to. The sound of this 1977 D-45 reminds me of my initial awe when I first heard the sound of a Martin. Beautiful, rich resonance across the entire range. Makes it hard to put down. Whoever bought this one purchased the 37 years it took to ripen its sound to its present fullness.

[@stephensmith799]

In a word ‘friendly’. Sounds just so hospitable.

[@JoMoMoss]

The depth, sustain & clarity is what it's all about for me ... & this Guitar has it in 'bucket-loads' ........ :-)

[@RobTackettCovers]

I bought a new 79 Martin HD 28 from DeNo music center in Casa Grande, AZ (love that music store and the people that have worked there throughout the years, as well as the ones who still do), but Arizona was hard on that guitar because we didn't have air conditioning, just a swamp cooler...had a bunch of neck/ fretboard issues. The fret board was swelling at the area where the fretboard is into the body area, and the neck was bowing, making it a real bear to play. After sending it back to Martin a couple of times to remedy the recurring problem (which they attempted to fix for no charge), I ended up just trading it off (not even sure what I eventually traded it off for, but nothing worth what it costed). As far as sound goes, though, best sounding acoustic ever IMO. They started putting adjustable truss rods in them not too long after that...maybe one day I'll have an adjustable one, but it'll probably be one for performance with easier upper fret access, like a GPCPA1 or the dreadnaught one, the DCPA1.

[@Ad.Dd.James.]

What a beautiful work of art.

[@kensod6034]

Beautiful work of art with incredible ...amazing tone...

[@EdwinGuzmanRD]

Very well aged sound. Amazing guitar. I love the dynamics

[@andreashoppe1969]

John Mayer - In Your Atmosphere … He's playing a Martin D-45 too, as far as I remember. For those of you who're looking for another reference.

[@enzodeltoro3392]

Andreas Hoppe

[@ftlaud911]

Goals!!! Couldn't justify a new D-4x so went with a 18' HD-28. Will 100% own a D-4x one day. Such beautiful guitars!

[@PageMarker1]

Sounds sweet! Better check that intonation up the fretboard on those 70's Martins, though.

[@popegeorgeringo]

Tony looks like he cut down the wood for the guitars.

[@mikezuckerman521]

LMFAO!

[@jimiguitar100]

lol

[@jirapatthaenphromrat2910]

Marty Ross And eats pancakes

[@JohnShalamskas]

He's a lumber jack and he's okay.

[@MtnLiner]

That’s funny, right there.

[@RBnd-te6ez]

I've said it once,and I'll say it again, there are guitars,then there are Martins. This just proves it. EXCELLENT

[@iridge1]

When it comes to sound ,what more could a man or woman ask for , that's one great MARTIN !!

[@Hai.tinh.583]

It’s loud, it’s balanced, it has warmed sound from the bass, clarity treble sound but not too bright. I wish I have it

[@Towert7]

Sounds good. I would certainly own one if I could afford one.

[@josepheubank8405]

Ok I'm gonna be honest this is one of the best sounding guitars you've feautured

[@msmithrandir561]

The 70's....Our dream guitar

[@haroldrull4943]

Can’t go wrong having one of those, carry ‘em around the balcony and just playing it all day .

[@Portrayalpress]

Riffing a little John Fahey - love it! Sweet D-45!

[@ianson3]

"Last Steam Engine Train." Kottke plays that tune, too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3bCpGeshq-rY80

[@druiddude9241]

That chimes like a bell the only sad bit for me is that I will never be able to play something that sounds so beautiful

[@jackkurasik8371]

Hi Sir, nice video, and an iconic guitar. I have never had D45 in my hands, but I would like to know something. Dreadnoughts are generally bassy, for bluegrass, strumming chords. So how come this one is considered by most, as also great for fingerpicking and playing instrumentals. Generally for playing instrumentals in fingerpicking, we use mostly OM model, which has completely different construction Cheers Jack

[@kristiansterjovski4594]

If you want to spent over 10K than go for it. In my opinion best guitars Martin ever made are D-28 HD 28, V, E retro etc etc.. has anyone checked Tangelwood and Epiphone DRS 500 ce? well check it out cheers..

[@Setrist]

This thing sounds unbelievably good.

[@larrydawson240]

Setrist Chris Stapleton.

[@stevensnyder1133]

My Martin journey: Played a Martin and couldn't for the life of me figure out why Martin was so proud of it. To me it sounded muddy and dead. In that guitar's defense, it was new. Owned Seagull S-6's my whole adult life - swore by them. To me, a solid top was all I thought I ever needed as a hobby musician. Glenn Frey died. This triggered a couple years of casual research into what made the Eagles not only possible but the greatest American band ever, which led to: Crosby, Stills and Nash. Not only can't I sing well, I certainly was baffled by the modal tunings they used on some of their best recordings (Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, I'm talking to you). Then I saw that they all played Martins from that era - Stephen, David, Neil, Judy, Joni, and the list goes on. Martin - I collect coins and they can go from cheap to absurd in a big hurry. Martins, on the other hand start expensive and become Sotheby's-expensive, also in a big hurry I took a second look and began learning about materials, history and what made Martin so popular with the best musicians on earth. Learned how to play some of those CSN songs in the alternate tunings - on my Sigma DR-7 (1980-ish, still made in Japan). Sold my Sigma DR-7 (BAD move) because I still couldn't justify the cost and the Sigma didn't sound all that great in the first place (all laminate wood). Sobriety - yea, I'll say it - I was looking for something selfish to replace drinking and began my search for an older Martin. Played a 1967 D-18 and was underwhelmed. At the time, I didn't know the details of how and when the finest materials used in the "pre-war" models were gradually phased out. D-18s have always been made from mahogany so their values didn't make steep jumps going back in time when some of the pre-war materials were still in production (Brazilian Rosewood, I'm talking to you). 6 months of sobriety - a local Music-Go-Round had a 1983 D-28 for $1600 - I'm like, "What's the catch???" I bought it and discovered it needed a neck reset, a refret and a new saddle so, $1600 + $1200 = $2800 - not such a bargain now. 1983 Martin D-28 massively overhauled. When it finally came back, I couldn't put it down. It sounded unlike anything I've ever heard. It made me play better, much better. I finally had that coveted Martin sound. I could learn a song perfectly and it still never sounded quite as good as the original...until now. The instrument bridged that gap. A month later, a crack appeared in the back. I'm like, I really own a Martin now - its cracked. 3 months later, a 1970 D12-35 came up for sale and this time there was no hesitation. 12-fret model with a slotted headstock and 3 piece back. Incidentally, Martin stopped using Brazilian Rosewood in 1969, but since the back pieces didn't match, I entertained the fantasy that at least part of it - maybe the middle piece on the back - was Brazilian. My fantasy was crushed when I reached out to Martin and they told me there were no notes with my serial number indicating any use of Brazilian Rosewood. Sigh. This guitar is in the shop for similar repairs - neck reset, new pickguard, new nut and saddle, reglue of fretboard binding. Unlike the D-28, the D12-35 was far more playable and sounded like a freaking orchestra. I await its return like a kid on Christmas. Moral of the story: If you play a lot, even if its just for fun, don't let the cost of a Martin stop you from buying one. It'll make you a better player, you won't ever want to put it down.

[@guibox3]

Indian Rosewood? I thought that Brazilian rosewood was still being used for Martins back in the 70s.

[@BlindTom61]

'69 is the cutoff date G3. Old Indian can sound great when it loses the moisture in the wood.

[@adamstewart247]

Nothing says you've arrived like a Martin D-45!

[@guitarman7597]

Sounds incredible!

[@kofiofosu9051]

Sounds incredible

[@jeffisrael3773]

This is the platonic ideal of the acoustic guitar.

[@nolllabsproductions4620]

wonderful sounding axe

[@martinmcmcdonald4783]

Beautiful sound

I would literally kill for one! 😬😳😆

[@everettclunie3525]

This guitar sounds amazing

[@James-hb6ee]

Beautiful sounding and looking guitar. Just curious how much a guitar like this would cost in 2017, in similar condition? Also, what is the name of the song you started off with at 1:40 and the artist? It sounds familiar but this old brain can't place it. :(

[@treatb09]

sounds beautiful.

[@bobaldo2339]

Geat guitar! Sounds magical to me.

[@tgh223]

I've got a 1974 d 28 I bought in 1976 been babied its whole life

[@Narniak69]

I just won a vintage 1985 Martin D-45 on Ebay for $5,200 that appears to be in near mint condition. I find it extremely hard to believe that this 1977 sold for only $6,500 as listed on the Acoustic Letter website, unless there was something damaged on this guitar that was not shown in the video.

[@basilbcf]

I bought my 1974 D12-35 in 1974. Sounds better every year.

[@lw216316]

A 77 Martin D45......the price is not mentioned... just a couple of years before that guitar was made, in 1974 I wanted to learn to play guitar so I went shopping. The main guitars at that time were Gibson, Guild and Martin. I can't remember which Martin I looked at but I remember it would have cost me a week's salary to get it. I could not afford it. The Yamaha guitars had entered the market and I got a new one - it cost me $70. I later traded up for a used Gibson. I should have got a loan and bought the Martin. It would have been an investment !

[@JohnShalamskas]

Quality usually is the way to go for the long haul.

[@grindlessenior]

i bought a (new) yamaha at about the same time. it sounds brilliant, now. as good as my friend's hummingbird.

[@rorykarate]

I’m looking for my late fathers 1976 D45 sold from Wales Uk any info would be great thanks.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

WOW ! IT EVEN SOUNDS USED !

[@JohnShalamskas]

Yes, in a good way!

[@leonolanofficial4581]

The exact guitar the King used in his last concert

[@billwcc]

Pretty darn good!

[@salcasabianca]

Thats what I was told that the numbers was the price. Not sure. Will check.

[@tjstevens001]

Sounds pretty good!

[@JesseDylanMusic]

What kind of bracing did a D-45 have back in '77? Standard X, or is it scalloped? Sounds scalloped but I didn't think they were scalloping again til the HD-28 came out. Maybe it was out by then.

[@BlindTom61]

Straight braced with a gianormous rosewood bridge plate...

[@pro-powderltd.8920]

Love the shirt Tony

[@meatsleep6746]

Martin is the perfection.

[@WorldsOkayistGuitarPlayer]

*was

[@jeffreyschmoldt7798]

Nice picking man

[@lyrpat]

Got a 1955 00-17 for 3,500$.....this 1977 d45 must be round 6 t0 7K but great playing !!

[@turtlemusic8351]

Sounds great!

[@Ziraffe2]

Wonder if this particular 45 is scalloped. Some are (as far as I know), but not the ones from this period. Anyone knows anything. .

[@haselock1963]

One cool sounding guitar Tony.

[@michaelhalloran188]

What song is at the beginning and at 1:42?

[@guibox3]

The first song he plays is called "Last Steam Engine Train"

[@salcasabianca]

sounds well balanced.

[@elmoblatch9787]

It sounds good because Tony is playing it.

[@auramac]

Wow. Very impressive.

[@maxwellfan55]

THE guitar everyone aspires to own! Just imagine taking it out of the case for the first time.......drool.

[@everettclunie3525]

Agreed

[@gilleslarose373]

What a sound !

[@banpanas6804]

what music do you play? can you name the title, thank you 😊

[@brunningwolf]

I have a 1947 that rings like a bell I had the neck done with my name brokenarrow in abalone.

[@samwa3986]

Guess how much it costs, to substitute Brazilian, instead of the East Indian, according to the custom shop here in Seattle? 45,000, in addition to the normal cost.

[@JohnShalamskas]

Supply and demand

[@slacker4206]

No wonder people take a chance cutting down protected trees. Although I hear the low paid forest rangers are receptive to bribery.

[@berkegocmen1872]

which song is at 1.42 ¿

[@jamesfreud1]

Everything you want, and nothing you don't. That is a "perfect" guitar. Sure wish I could play a D-45 everyday.

[@keithwigley1256]

LONEWOLF see Beerbelly blues Albert Croak on youtube and Childrens home Albert Croak on youtube and kathys song cover Albert Croak and finding my way home Albert Croak and others

[@songbyrdsings1]

Never met a Martin guitar I didn't like, how come no is noticing the beautiful bear claw top it has hello!!! Dan Fogelberg played two D-41 Martins a 71 and a 74... Remember everything has to be setup or tweaked out of the box... And I've owned and tried Taylor's, Larrivees, Breedloves and nothing compares to a Martin period! I have one Gibson J-45 custom it stays because it has some Martin qualities about it while paying like a Gibson.... Stop whining and invest in a good set up you paid good money for the guitar don't go cheap on the tail end of investment!

[@ronedee]

+songbyrdsings1 The guitar either sounds good, or it doesn't. A setup is for function. And Martin doesn't own the market on acoustic guitars. They do own the market on neck resets though. And "bear claw" is a fancy word for defect.

[@songbyrdsings1]

+rone dee if it's a defect then why do people special order it? My newest performer series gcpap3 has some in, that's why I picked it what a mighty little cannon! I've tried all the major makers and I always come back to a Martin...

[@richardgreen9393]

rone dee Martin neck reset $800 Taylor neck reset $65

[@IndigoJo]

Is it something you're doing, or is there no sustain on two of the lower strings on that guitar?

[@jackhammer111]

get your hearing checked. that guitar has is as rich in overtones as any I've ever heard. Just like an old Martin dreadnot should.

[@vicshere99]

It's also a great advert for the Neumann 184 mic. Such a beautiful, full, perfect sound across the strings. One day, if it kills me, I will own a D45.

[@kirylkiryienka6910]

Have Japan Yamaha FG 1970th I like it even better DO You think Martin has some special in its sound?

[@everettclunie3525]

Absolutely Martin has a special sound. It's why a guitar made of the same woods, with similar braces, from different makers, sound different. I have a small body rosewood and spruce Taylor 714 from 1997, and I also have a Martin 000-28, also a small body rosewood and spruce guitar. Same woods, both standard x-braced guitars, but each one sounds very different. Who makes the guitar has as much of an impact on the sound as what it's made of.

[@anthonyclarke2076]

Kiryl Kiryienka to put it into words you can make a guitar as good as a Martin but nothing is better than a Martin

[@richardgreen9393]

Anthony Clarke that’s your opinion

[@jimgallagher2979]

Nobody seems to know how or why but Martins do have a sound of their own.

[@maltonbarros]

Se esse violão fosse meu eu poderia passar dias olhando para ele!

[@hongdekong]

I watch this not only for the guitars, but also to check up on the beard

[@Zod741]

It's proven he plays better with the beard

[@popoaggie]

privatejoker9 Would play even better if his beard was scalloped.

[@calebgrant2701]

Did John Mayer buy this?

[@davidmiles533]

What strings?

[@vermilion1492]

Anyone know the name of the first song he played?

[@romanoznobishin947]

+William Rayo JR Last stream engine train, John Fahey

[@vermilion1492]

+Roman Oznobishin thank you

[@z0lden]

Roman Oznobishin c

[@waynechurchill7212]

Sound great

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

Can I borrow it? I'll get it back to you as soon as I'm finished with it, say around 2040.... :D

[@RM-eo3uu]

Dragon Beast there is no d23. Johnny Cash like to play a Martin d-35. That was one of the many Martin guitars that he played over his career. He played d-18 D-28 the d-35 and he had a d-45. The d-45 he used during his television show from 69 to 71. He gave the d-45 to Marty Stuart who plays the guitar frequently on his television show on RFD. Martin guitars also made the very first black Martin guitar that was presented to Johnny Cash. It was a model d-35.

[@MarkSmith-nw4os]

The story Martin tells, is that J C asked the Martin company if they would build him a guitar and paint it black? They said "NO ! We choose our woods very carefully and we will not paint a guitar black ! " Stubborn old German Company. Well, someone brought in a can of paint, shot the guitar black and they shipped it to him. Later, the president of Martin saw him playing that guitar on television.

[@RM-eo3uu]

@@MarkSmith-nw4os you are absolutely correct on how the black Martin d-35 came about and that it was made for Johnny Cash.

[@MarkSmith-nw4os]

@@RM-eo3uu I would have loved to be in that shop the morning after the old man saw that guitar.

[@RM-eo3uu]

@@MarkSmith-nw4os I'm sure it would have been an interesting conversation. LOL. In 2005 I had the pleasure of talking with Johnny's guitarist Bob Wootton and his drummer fluke Holland. They were entertaining as the Tennessee three, with members of Bob wooten's family as well. They did a great show and traveled around Canada and throughout Europe. During our conversation Bob relayed that Johnny had another black guitar that Bob purchased for him and presented to him in 1979. I was familiar with the guitar from watching Johnny Cash specials on TV. The brand of the guitar at this point is unknown to me, but Johnny used it in his 25th Anniversary Special in 1980. It had a large eagle on the face of the acoustic guitar. The headstock looks similar to a Martin, but it is not a Martin, that was told to me. Bob was quite distressed since the guitar disappeared after Johnny's death and he had no idea who had it. The conversation from Bob was that, Johnny and Bob had an understanding that if something happened to John the guitar would be returned to Bob. To the best of my knowledge that never happened, and Bob passed away last year. I'm not sure if Bob's wife, Vicky, would have any information about that guitar.

[@grindlessenior]

it sounds great, but is it not the case that the more "mature" a guitar is, the better it sounds? i have a 50 year old yamaha FG-140 and it sounds better than when i bought it. even my bro (who has a gibson hummingbird, which is also a super guitar) was impressed when we played together. he lives in oz, i live in the uk, so our guitars had not met until 2016 lol

[@morgunstyles7253]

Like the piece of it was created to be

[@simplerachel11]

so nice :-)

[@kdlittlehawk]

you know what ype of strings are on that old girl ?

[@ronedee]

Mandolin bros told me to keep my 70's Martin D45! they weren't interested in any of them! They said they were the worst years for Martin.

[@songbyrdsings1]

They were wrong...

[@ronedee]

songbyrdsings1 .... reverb.com/blog/70s-martins-what-you-need-to-know

[@songbyrdsings1]

+rone dee do you know who owns Reverb, Chicago Music Exchange does they do a lot of buying from their site most likely because they don't sell very well as does eBay...that's what your life time warranty is for correct rushed production due to high possible demand. I have two 71 Martins an 41 and 18 and they are jaw dropping...

[@ronedee]

songbyrdsings1 Doesn't matter where the truth comes from. And I figured you were a Martin owner. I "was" too!

[@songbyrdsings1]

+rone dee ps I read that and decided not to list anything on their site I also noticed they have several 70s Martin guitars listed on their CME web page;/

[@John-p9m2c]

Johnny cash liked the Martian d23

[@trevorgwelch7412]

It Sounds Almost As Good As A Taylor USA 🇺🇸 Made Guitar . ✨💥✨⚡️💥✨

[@stephenhenion8304]

Truth be told, We All Play Used Guitars!!!

[@lastofthemohicans1]

I’ll take it!

[@williamcole9040]

How much?

[@TheAcousticLetter]

This guitar sold a long time ago..... The video is over 6 years old.

[@MultiStratoman]

The price!!!

[@mcfek7575]

Vintage acoustic tone

[@conanthedestroyer7123]

What a guitar....That guitar sounds sweeter than honeysuckle dew in a country pasture. You need to wipe the drool from your beard.

[@claytonhess5512]

Nah, if he did that, it would fall on the guitar and ruin the finish.