Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Martin D-45

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Jimi Hendrix’s Martin D-45, 1968. In 1968, Martin guitars re-introduced the top-of-the-range D-45 model, which had been discontinued in 1942. It featured a lot of pearl inlay and the best available woods, and the 1968 models used Brazilian rosewood, as per the originals. It was, and still is, a very expensive guitar, taking months to make, due to all of the inlay work. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young bought a D-45 each, and so did Jimi Hendrix. Jimi reportedly played his D-45 left handed, but still right hand strung, which he was very adept at doing, particularly with simple chord shapes, which meant he could pick up anyone’s right handed guitar and play it. We heard several hearsay reports of Jimi playing lots of country songs on it, in private social parties, etc. from various people who knew him or worked in his circle. It was passed to Mitch Mitchell, Jimi’s drummer, in 1970, and we obtained it from Mitch’s daughter in the mid-1990s. The guitar was in excellent condition and really playable, with a great sound. It can be seen pictured here with Jim’s 1967 Gibson Flying V and 1968 Fender Dual Showman cabinet.