Introduced in 1969, the D-41 was Martin’s answer to players who wanted the rich, powerful tone of a D-28 with a bit more visual flair. Sitting in the catalog just below the D-42 and top-of-the-line D-45, offering similar premium appointments—abalone details, bound neck and headstock, and gold-plated hardware—on the same tried-and-true dreadnought platform. But the D-41 is simpler than the others—the abalone trim only goes around the top edge, instead of all the way around the fingerboard extension. Also, the abalone Hexagon inlays on the Ebony fingerboard are slightly smaller, and there's no first fret inlay.
When it was initially reintroduced, the D-41 had a Brazilian Rosewood peghead veneer with the same "Golden Era" pattern vertical inlay that was used in the '30s. Over time, the vertical "CF Martin" inlay would become simpler, but there's a certain elegance to the original, more embellished lettering. Designed by famed Martin historian Mike Longworth, the D-41 stands a cut above a D-28. Premium wood selection and high-end details make for the finest Martin dreadnoughts of the 1970s. If you've played one, you know.
Thanks to recent work by luthier Dave Farmer (Turtle Lake Instruments, Durango, CO), this 1974 D-41 is in perfect playing condition. While it was in his hands, Dave reglued the bridge and re-worked the played-out bridge pin holes. Long ago, the original oversized rosewood bridge plate was replaced with a proper prewar-appropriate Maple bridge plate, as used on dreadnoughts from the '30s until 1967. Because of that, this D-41 produces a complex, detailed sound that is rich and full. One of the tone bars has been reglued. There is a repaired back crack, and there is a repaired center-seam crack as well as a repaired pickguard crack (the pickguard is probably a replacement, too). At some point along the way, the neck was reset, and it looks like the finergerboard has been refretted. From a structural, this 1974 D-41 is 100% stable, and the playability is optimized.
Because of the years, this 1974 Martin D-41 has no shortage of authentic mojo, and the finish is beautifully checked all round. There are plenty of nicks, bumps, and bruises, but it's fairly clean for a well-loved vintage guitar. Thanks to the setup work, this D-41 plays nicely, and the intonation is right where it wants to be. It produces a classic Martin dreadnought sound—full and powerful, but also articulate and clear. It includes its original blue molded plastic case.