Martin D41 Special ★ Guitar Review (2024)

A Martin dreadnought guitar with an unforgettable tone and story

I started reviewing guitars almost a decade ago, and I am always surprised by the guitars I play. The Martin D41 Special is no exception.

From its balanced, but booming, tone to the beautiful craftsmanship, this 2006 Martin D41 Special is a joy to play. Whether you are looking to accompany a singer or just lay down some awesome flatpicking blues, this is a must-have guitar.

If you like the demo and want to know how I played the songs in the review, be sure to read the rest of the review. I’ll let you know at the end!

Martin D41 SP (2006) Details

Wow.

If you have a chance to play this guitar at your local guitar shop…don’t pass it up.

To the best of my knowledge, this guitar is no longer being manufactured — which makes it all the more special.

Now, if this was just a normal guitar, if it went out of production I probably wouldn’t miss it all that much.

But this isn’t a normal guitar; rather, it’s an extraordinary guitar. And, it’s extraordinary beyond just the tone and beauty of it. There’s a story behind it…and don’t worry, you’ll hear about it later.

Just looking at the guitar, I am immediately stunned by the beautiful abalone inlay. In addition, the Sitka spruce top shines in almost any light. It also features an aged toner, which gives it a darker color.

This Martin D41 Special also has forward-shifted, 5/16 inch scalloped bracing. This is what gives the guitar its responsiveness and punch in the bass notes.

Another feature I love about the Martin D41 Special is the neck profile. It has a modified V shape. It’s comfortable to play barre chords on, while still able to take on flatpicking.

The guitar is great for strumming and flatpicking, but fingerpicking can be a challenge. Because of the bass notes, fingerpicking can be a little muddied.

The Story Behind My Martin D41 Special

Alright, I promised you a story. But first, I have a confession…

It’s not my guitar.

It’s my dad’s. And, my dad is the reason why I first got into guitar.

I had a long-standing competition between me and my old man. It involved arguments over whose guitar sounded better: my Martin HD35 or his Martin D41 Special.

After years of playful arguing, I visited my folks back in the Chicago area (go Blackhawks!). Right as I was about to leave, my dad told me to take his Martin D41 Special.

I’ve taken great care of that guitar ever since. Even better, I’ve been playing the heck out of it ever since.

Closing Thoughts

In all honesty, this is an incredible guitar that holds a special place in my guitarsenal. If you’re looking to buy a Martin D41 Special, be sure to check out my buyer’s guide for acoustic guitars.

Now, if you’re wondering if I’m ever going to teach you how to play the licks and songs in my reviews, let me tell you about something.

I created an awesome way to learn how to play guitar online.

It’s called Tony’s Acoustic Challenge, and it’s helped thousands of folks learn to play guitar while having fun.

If you’re ready to start learning awesome bluegrass songs and licks like the ones I play, be sure to request an invite to Tony’s Acoustic Challenge here.