C.F. Martin & Co D-42 Special "Dick Boak"

Essential Information About the Martin D-42 Special Guitar

• High-end Dreadnought with a spectacular look: abalone inlays and "Dick Boak" floral pearl motif for a unique stage presence.


• Premium Martin craftsmanship: top made of very high-quality spruce, back and sides of selected East Indian rosewood.


• Open and dynamic projection thanks to the scalloped X-bracing shifted forward, Martin's signature sound.


• Vintage finishes and details: antique white binding, glossy finish with aging toner, nickel open gear tuners.

A D-42 Like No Other: Dick Boak's Vision at the Heart of the Model

Born from an idea initiated nearly 25 years ago, the Martin D-42 Special showcases an original design by Dick Boak, initially conceived for laser engraving, then rediscovered and finally adapted as pearl inlay. With the help of Bill Seymour and Jeremy Chism (Pearlworks), the motif was reworked to allow an impressive level of detail before being approved by Chris Martin IV, who requested the design be extended to the fingerboard and headstock. The result: a prestigious Dreadnought, both faithful to Martin's DNA and decidedly artistic.

For Which Guitarists and Styles?

This Martin folk guitar is primarily aimed at intermediate to expert guitarists seeking a great stage and studio guitar, equally suited for powerful strumming and precise flatpicking. Its Dreadnought D-14 Fret body shape favors breadth and solid low-end support, ideal for folk, country, bluegrass, acoustic pop, and vocal accompaniment. Lacking electronics, it emphasizes acoustic purity and is perfect for microphone recording.

Sound

The spruce top provides attack, clarity, and a wide dynamic range, while the East Indian rosewood back and sides enhance depth, harmonic breadth, and sustain. The scalloped X-bracing (carved) and shifted forward bracing promotes freer top response: projection gains openness, with generous bass, rich mids, and singing highs. The ebony fingerboard and bridge add definition and precision, and the compensated bone saddle contributes to accurate intonation and efficient vibration transfer.

Technical specifications

Category	Steel String Shaped Body	Back&Sides	East Indian rosewood
Format	Dreadnought	Neck	Mahogany
Strings	Steel	Fingerboard	Ebony
Nbr of strings	6	Color	Natural
Top	Sitka Spruce

Shape	D-14 Fret	Endpiece inlay	multi-stripe
Construction	dovetail neck joint	Heel cap	antique white
Back	East Indian rosewood	Top color	aging toner
Sides	East Indian rosewood	Bridge style	Modern Belly - recessed saddle
Top finish	glossy	Bridge material	ebony
Back and sides finish	glossy	String spacing at bridge	55 mm / 2.17"
Bracing	X shifted forward	Bridge pin material	white plastic
Braces	scalloped	Saddle	compensated bone
Brace material	spruce	Saddle radius	406 mm / 15.98"
Brace size	5/16"	Pickguard	black acrylic
Back and sides color	none	Pickguard inlay	custom inlay
Back detail	none	Top detail	none
Back strip	style 45	Binding	antique white
Back inlay material	multi-stripe	Top inlay material	abalone with multi-stripe
Side details	none	Bridge pin inlays	abalone
Side inlay material	multi-stripe	Rosette	abalone with multi-stripe
Endpiece	antique white