Here is a spectacular rarity – the Martin D-42 Purple Martin, #38 of 50 built during 2018 and featuring a fantastic inlay set.

Based on the classic Dreadnought design and pairing a bearclaw-figured Englemann Spruce top with Katalox for the sides and back, this is an example of Martin’s work at its finest. Katalox, sometimes known as ‘Mexican Royal Ebony’ and formally named ‘Swartzia cubensis’, is a hardwood sourced from southern Mexico to northern South America. It is known for its dark appearance, stiffness and strength. The body blocks and neck are Mahogany, Ebony used for the fingerboard and bridge. For hardware, the tuners are gold-plated open gear Waverly models.

The inlay set is based on the ’42’ style, with Abalone purfling around the top, fingerboard tag, and sound hole. The head inlay is a vertical Martin logo, also in Abalone. On the pickguard and fingerboard, Purple Martin bird and Mountain Laurel flowers are pictured in very clean detail.

This fantastic instrument is in exceptionally good, clean condition with virtually no wear of any kind.

Sold with the original, blue Geib style hard shell case.

Here’s the builder on the Martin D-42 Purple Martin:

“The Martin D-42 Purple Martin Flamed Myrtle is the fourth in the Purple Martin series. The “Purple Martin” theme is inspired by the purple martin bird of Pennsylvania, where Martin Guitar’s headquarters and factory are located. Limited to 100 instruments, this head-turning model includes 42-style pearl inlay throughout and highly decorative inlay on the fingerboard and pickguard of the purple martin bird and mountain laurel flowers, the state flower of Pennsylvania. It is a full gloss guitar made with a top of heavy bearclaw Engelmann spruce and the back and sides of flamed myrtle. Each model includes a label signed by Martin Chairman and CEO, Chris Martin, a ply hardshell case, and Martin’s Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 medium gauge strings.”

Martin D-42 Purple Martin Specifications: