Best Dreadnought Guitars With Compensated Saddle in 2024

Here are the top Dreadnought style guitars with Compensated saddle. It's cut in a way that makes each string have the correct length for perfect intonation across the fretboard. It provides excellent tuning stability.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Martin HD12-28

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Martin HD12-28
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Playability 80
Sound 88
Build quality 88
Value for money 70
Overall Score 85

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
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  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin HD12-28
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Epiphone Hummingbird Studio

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Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
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Playability 82
Sound 83
Build quality 70
Value for money 88
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Very Hard (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 5 Prices - New from $449 >
  • From Epiphone's 2013 Hummingbird series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.72"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro (Reverse Belly) bridge
  • Acoustic SlimTaper D Set neck
  • 20 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
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  • 5 Prices - New from $449 >
  • From Epiphone's 2013 Hummingbird series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.72"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro (Reverse Belly) bridge
  • Acoustic SlimTaper D Set neck
  • 20 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Ibanez AAD170CE

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Ibanez AAD170CE
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Amazon logoReverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 85
Build quality 67
Value for money 85
Overall Score 75
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  • 3 Prices - New from $399.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2020 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Okoume back
  • Okoume sides
  • Thermo Aged Nyatoh neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Low Oval Grip Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
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  • 3 Prices - New from $399.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2020 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Okoume back
  • Okoume sides
  • Thermo Aged Nyatoh neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Low Oval Grip Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AAD170CE
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Harley Benton CLD-41SE WN

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Harley Benton CLD-41SE WN
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 83
Build quality 67
Value for money 84
Overall Score 74
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Thomann logo
  • 1 Prices - New from €369 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.315"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Walnut back
  • Walnut sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp system with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Oval C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold-plated die-cast DLX machine heads tuners
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  • 1 Prices - New from €369 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.315"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Walnut back
  • Walnut sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp system with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Oval C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold-plated die-cast DLX machine heads tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLD-41SE WN
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Martin D-42 Modern Deluxe

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Martin D-42 Modern Deluxe
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Playability 77
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 70
Overall Score 85

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 3 Prices - New from $7,399 >
  • From Martin's 2022 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $7,399 >
  • From Martin's 2022 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-42 Modern Deluxe
  • Gold Frets
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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6. Martin D-35 Johnny Cash

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Martin D-35 Johnny Cash
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 88
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 1 Prices - New from $5,299 >
  • From Martin's 2014 Custom & Special Editions series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Engelmann Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - New from $5,299 >
  • From Martin's 2014 Custom & Special Editions series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Engelmann Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-35 Johnny Cash
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe

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Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 4 Prices - New from $3,799 >
  • From Martin's 2020 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany back
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $3,799 >
  • From Martin's 2020 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany back
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe
  • Gold Frets
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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8. Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe

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Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $4,399 >
  • From Martin's 2020 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $4,399 >
  • From Martin's 2020 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe
  • Gold Frets
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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9. Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe

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Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 2 Prices - New from $10,699 >
  • From Martin's 2022 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $10,699 >
  • From Martin's 2022 Modern Deluxe series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce with VTS top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Vintage Deluxe Set neck
  • 20 Medium Gold frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe
  • Gold Frets
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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10. Martin D-42

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Martin D-42
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Tuning stability: Sightly unstable (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1996 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1996 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-42
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

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