A Vintage Martin D-45 S: Serial #74011

In the late 1930s, cowboy culture swept the nation, much like it is again now. Even in the state of Maine, where one was more likely to hunt lobster than prairie dogs, life in the wild west was the subject of local radio programs.

Back in those days, being a fixture on a radio program was a professional partnership; such that an artist might receive a guitar to use for their work. In 1939, there was no bolder/flashier custom guitar choice than one with pearl inlay of your name; never mind that the radio listener wouldn’t see it, an opportunity was an opportunity.

D-45 S #74011 was ordered for a young Maine cowboy singer on December 20,1939 by WGAN radio, in Maine, and finished on January 8,1940. The surviving special order form denotes two very noteworthy aspects of the deal: “Ken MacKenzie” would be inlaid into the fretboard, and the job was a “rush.” Two weeks of hardwork, all through Christmas and New Years, and this custom ordered $250 guitar was ready for its intended owner. Nearly every photo that can be found on the internet of MacKenzie from the 1940s up to the 1970s when he retired from WGAN, shows him proudly holding this D-45. This was undoubtedly his main, life-time guitar.

Produced in late-1939/early-1940, this model features a rear-shifted scalloped X-braced Adirondack spruce top with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. The 1 11/16th nut width is standard of its serial number time frame and became the norm for all Martin models going forward.

As MacKenzie’s main guitar, it saw extensive use and required repair; at least one session was completed at Martin Repair between 1968 and 1969; what exactly was attended to then is not notated. The guitar presents as it was intended: a gorgeously crafted dreadnaught with endless abalone inlay along top quality woods.

Only 91 Pre-war D-45’s were produced. Only a handful were “D-45 S” (given the “Special Order” designation), and even fewer were because of names/initials. The first D-45 was built for Gene Autry and had his name inlaid across the fretboard; Ken MacKenzie’s guitar follows closest to this formula.

The other two D-45 S’ that share these characteristics are a 1937 example that has “HAW” on the fingerboard and a 1942 example has “AUSTIN.” Throughout the 1950s, inlaying one’s name in a fretboard, post-factory, became much more common place. Pre-war D-45s were purchased by Ernest Tubb and Johnny Cash and their names were inlaid. Moreover, into the 1960s, it was common for players to have abalone added to their guitars to emulate the iconic, yet out of production, D-45’s of pre-war years.

Maine cowboy singer Ken MacKenzie undoubtedly made a bold guitar choice in 1939. It might seem like a ole western term, but one could say he was a bit of a “trailblazer” for ordering it so early on. Ken MacKenzie would probably like us to use that language. That’s the beauty of seeing and playing old personalized guitars like this, it commands a voice. Included in the sale is a collection of photographs that breathe life back into the story of Ken MacKenzie and his 1939 D-45 S.

This guitar is currently displayed and available for purchase at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, TN.

-Jake Byrne
Guitar Technician