My Martin D-42 is the finest instrument I have ever played. The tone is rich, sweet and balanced. Makes the best of players who try it go "wow". Love the old school feel of it. It is also the most beautiful instrument I have seen.If you are reading this-you already know what time it is. Time to get a sweet Martin. You know Martins make some serious guitars-however, they are a business and their lineup does include many "starter models". The D-42 is hands down the finest acoustic guitar I have personally owned. I have owned 147 different guitars,including all the greats,and since the purchase of the D-42 my quest for the holy grail of acoustic guitars has ended.
This is the other end of the spectrum. 1st class all the way around-beautiful binding and the inlays are simply gorgeous. Once you get past all the visual bling-pick her up. Perfectly balanced and it feels like it was made for your hands alone. Pluck a few notes-you'll immediately notice how responsive this guitar is. The tones reverberate through the neck into the top and each note surrounds you-not just via the soundhole-the entire tone envelopes you and seems to put you into a cloud of notes. It really is that good. Martin makes a good number of other guitars that can give you the same tone without all the bling (and the expense that comes with it) so those are worth a look see. I really love the H 28 though depending on what model you want-those prices can get up there in a hurry. No pickup, electronics,etc so remember that-just a solid acoustic that is about as good as it gets. Although I have several great guitars ranging from small bodies, to a 000, and jumbos, I hadn’t yet filled that dreadnaught “hole” in my collection (and heart). I have several Gibson guitars, for which I have a weakness for the woody/thump and midrange-bark of, and I absolutely love the Martin sound of my 000-42—I just wanted “more” of that! The D-42 delivered that to me and then some. It has a gorgeous brilliance in the high-end, with those shimmering overtones perfectly matched by a low-end that just growls. Not only is the playability of this guitar effortless, but it projects like a cannon whether strumming, flatpicking, or fingerpicking.
How much better can it be, my D-42 is amazing!!!!!