Martin Guitars D-41

Sonic Evaluation

I'm not sure if it's the new Golden Era bracing on this D-41 or if there was just a little extra magic in the air in Nazareth, Pennsylvania the day it got built, but this serial is absurdly fun to play! It's unbelievably responsive, and I don't know if I've ever played a dreadnought that sounds this full at low volumes. Even played at a whisper's volume, it has a robust tone! Of course, at higher volumes, it sounds positively magnificent. It has plenty of headroom, and it got loud enough that I was able to jam with my coworker who was playing an electric through a Hot Rod Deluxe. That responsiveness and wide dynamic range make this Martin a marvelously expressive instrument!

In terms of frequency response, this Martin has tons of overtone presence to go with a nice woody punch of fundamental. The highs have a glorious glassy sparkle, the lows will rattle your ribs, and the midrange is vocal and sweet. The attack is piano-like and round, so you can really flog it and it will sound fantastic. Despite its punching power, it also a profound capacity for subtlety and nuance, and its sweetness has to heard to be believed.

I loved this guitar as a strummer/flatpicker AND a fingerstyle machine, and its expressive nature made me feel like the musical possibilities were endless. If you're looking for a responsive, dynamic dreadnought, this serial will kickstart your own personal musical golden era!