Martin D-45 S 1939, Natural

D-45 S #74011 was ordered by a young Maine cowboy singer on December 20,1939 and finished on January 8,1940. The surviving special order form denotes that "Ken MacKenzie" would be inlaid into the fretboard. Ken MacKenzie was a featured singer for WGAN radio in Maine and was following the stylings of Gene Autry and more popular western singers by choosing to order this high end model. Nearly every photo that can be found of MacKenzie shows him proudly holding this D-45. 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; atleast one session was completed at Martin Repair between 1968 and 1969; what exactly was attended to then is not notated. The list of evident previous repairs are found in the "Specs" section. 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). The first D-45 was built for Gene Autry and had is name inlaid across the fretboard; this historical artifact exists because a young Ken MacKenzie made the bold choice to pay a premium for his lifetime guitar and followed suit.