Martin 00042 Authentic 1939 Madagascar Rosewood Adirondack Spruce VTS 2016

With the 00042 Authentic 1939, Martin has revived one of the most extraordinary pre-war guitars. This rare reissue combines the beautiful inlays and elegance of the Style 42 with Martin's advanced Vintage Tone System, giving you not only the looks but also the tone of a genuine vintage Martin from 1939. The result is an instrument that will delight collectors and players alike.

The original 1939 00042 was among the absolute pinnacle of Martin's pre-war catalog. With its refined abalone inlay in the characteristic snowflake pattern on the fingerboard, the multi-stripe purfling, and the elegant 000 body shape, this model represented the pinnacle of craftsmanship. Martin produced only a handful of these instruments each year at the time, making the 00042 one of the most coveted vintage guitars. This Authentic 1939 reissue meticulously follows those original specifications, including the rearward-shifted scalloped X-bracing pattern so characteristic of the pre-war sound.

The secret behind the authentic tone lies in Martin's Vintage Tone System. This process artificially ages both the Adirondack spruce top and the braces, altering the molecular structure of the wood in a way that would normally take decades. The result is immediately audible: the guitar has that open, rich, and complex tone you'd otherwise only find in genuine pre-war Martins. The combination with Madagascar rosewood for the back and sides creates a beautiful balance between clear, articulate tones and a warm, full bass foundation.

Visually, this 00042 is a feast for the eyes. The grained ivoroid binding contrasts beautifully with the dark Madagascar rosewood, while the abalone snowflake inlay sparkles across the ebony fingerboard. The Madagascar rosewood headstock overlay and the classic tortoiseshell pickguard complete the vintage look. But this is no museum piece; the guitar plays wonderfully thanks to the Authentic 1939 neck profile, which fits perfectly in the hand and offers smooth playability for both fingerstyle and flatpicking.

This 00042 Authentic 1939 from 2016 is in excellent condition, but the binding has been repaired in a few places. The bindings at the waist have been reglued, and a piece has been inserted into the binding at the heel cap, a result of shrinkage. The guitar comes in a Harptone hardshell case with a TFOA passport. A rare opportunity to own one of Martin's most exclusive models, with the sound and appearance of a pre-war classic but the reliability and playability of a modern instrument.