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The 1979 Indian rosewood Martin D-45 I played in this video is without any doubt the acoustic guitar of my life.
In the 1970s, while I was playing C.F. Martin D-18 and D-28, I dreamed about ordering a brand new D-45. Fortunately my dream was fulfilled in 1979. I ordered a D-45 from the Martin factory through a friend who was registered with a Danish VAT number. It could seem a little risky at that time to buy a guitar without having had the chance to see and play it. But, after having heard the great sound of old prewar D-45s on the recordings of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, I had to have a D-45!
The D-45 was launched by Martin in 1933. Only 91 guitars were built from 1933-1942. In 1942 the production of the D-45 was discontinued. Many years later, in 1968, Martin hired in Mike Longworth to bring back the D-45 to the head of Martin's line. 229 D-45s were then built in 1968/69 with back & sides of Brazilian rosewood - the same kind of wood which was used on the original D-45s. But due to the lack of Brazilian rosewood, from 1970, the production of the D-45 was continued with Indian rosewood. The D-45 has been listed in the Martin catalogue ever since.
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From first sight, and first chord, I was happy with my new D-45. It has been a great pleasure to play this guitar during the years. As I have stated in the text about the video of April 2014, this D-45 is definitely the guitar on which I have practiced the most, written most music, played most concerts and recorded most tracks. In 1980, it had its recording debut on the "Acoustic Guitar" album where it was featured on the front cover. The recording of "The Compromise", that you hear on the album was actually played on the 1979 D-45. Since then I have played it on approx. five hundred recording tracks.
During the years the guitar has aged beautifully. The top has become darker and the bindings have turned yellow. It has had some repairs done, new original tuners have been mounted, a Fishman pickup has been installed, the pickguard has raised a bit and it has got some small scrathes. But still, it sounds and plays like a dream.
With reference and thanks to the following publication - warmly recommended:
Martin Guitars - A Technical Reference - by Richard Johnston and Dick Boak (Revised and updated from the original by Mike Longworth) - ISBN 978-1-4234-3982-0
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