Martin D-21 Special- no longer for sale
 

I am the second owner. It was purchased new from MFG in 2011. I think I got it from the original purchaser a year later and it has rarely left my house. It’s in excellent condition and so is the case. Has a professionally installed K an K pure mini with the vintage jack. $2000.

http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/VB...36DF.jpeg.html

...one of the most outstanding Martin Dreadnoughts I have played in recent years was a D-21 Special like this one...somebody should jump on it...

last week i received a store demo D-21 Special which makes me the first owner and this guitar is outstanding! it's basically an identical guitar to my D-18 Retro but with a rosewood back and no aging toner. We A/B'd them last night and the there were the typical tonewood differences, but the volume out of the 21 was astounding! The addition of the K&K Pure (best most natural sounding pick-up in my opinion & on my McKnight) makes this a good buy.

I have not been really eager to sell this, as maybe you can tell from the lack of follow up bumps. But it really should go to someone who will play it more (and better) than me.

Oh man. Whats the string spacing?

Hi SlopeD. String spacing is 2 and 5/16 inches. Nut width is 1and 3/4.

I’ve got one just like this. Headed out to a gig with it tonight. Wonderful guitar!

This D21 Special is quite a bit different than the more recent one. I like this one’s specs better. Good luck with your sale!

D21 Special
 

Hello! Any interest in trades?

Littlewinter thanks for asking, but my preference would be an outright sale. But never say never. Whatcha got? Please email or message me.

Before I forget, appreciate the comments above by J. Patrick, Peter and Chuck. Still available.

Still for sale.

Some trade interest evident. If I have my druthers, I’ll sell it outright. Trade wise, if you have a later model 000-18 or OM-21, that might work.

Hi,

Sent a PM concerning trade interest.

bill

A fair amount of trade interest, but still available. I think I have responded to all inquiries.

Nice D. Surprised It's still available.

Me too Michael. Some have inquired as to why I am selling. Owing to some right hand and wrist pain, I am playing very little acoustic guitar these days. So, off it goes, hopefully. My son plays smaller guitars, hence the earlier expressed trade feeler. Have a great weekend, people!

My left hand bugs me more than my right, especially on guitars with chunky necks. What's the neck profile on this D21? And what accounts for the "Special" designation?

thanks
Michael

Michael, I am by no means an expert on these things, but my understanding is as follows: the Martin 21 series marries the tone woods of the 28 series with the appointments of the 18 series. So, for example you get the appearance of a D-18 and the tone woods a D-28. Why the “special“ designation? I believe the answer lies in the presence of the pyramid bridge, the wider nut, and the wider bridge spacing and the herringbone Rosette. Possible other features which distinguished this model from the dreads in the standard line at the time it was made. They have made this model intermittently. Here are the specs. Low profile neck shape. 1 and 3/4 nut width.

Model: D-21 Special
Construction: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: D-14 Fret
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Rosette: 3 Ring - Fine Herringbone
Top Bracing Pattern: Standard ''X'' Scalloped, Forward Shifted
Top Braces: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
Back Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Back Purfling: Fine Herringbone
Side Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Endpiece: Solid Black Ebony
Endpiece Inlay: Maple
Binding: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Top Inlay Style: Multiple Black/Maple Fiber
Side Inlay: None
Back Inlay: Maple
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Shape: Low Profile
Nut Material: Bone
Headstock: Solid/Square Taper
Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Large Old Style
Heelcap: Solid Black Ebony
Fingerboard Material: Solid Black Ebony
Scale Length: 25.4''
# Of Frets Clear: 14
# Of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-3/4''
Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 2-1/4''
Fingerboard Position Inlays: Style 21- Select Abalone Squares - One At 5th, Two At 7th, One At 9th Fret
Fingerboard Binding: None
Finish Back & Sides: Polished Gloss
Finish Top: Polished Gloss With Vintage Toner ; Sunburst Available At Additional Cost.
Finish Neck: Satin
Bridge Material: Solid Black Ebony
Bridge Style: Pyramid With Drop-In Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2-5/16''
Saddle: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone
Tuning Machines: Gotoh Nickel Open-Geared With Oval Buttons
Recommended Strings: Martin Studio Performance Medium Phosphor Bronze (Msp4200)
Bridge & End Pins: Solid Black Ebony With Grained Ivoroid Dots
Pickguard: Delmar Tortoise Color - Beveled & Polished
Case: 545e
Interior Label: None

To the top of the list. Still available.

How about a song on the D-21 Special? Gin Blossoms anyone? Thanks to my son Jack fo r the cover.

https://youtu.be/mvOVOwycnuM

Nice!

Where are you located?

Hello upside down. I’m on the East Coast (Virginia).

Here is an old review of this guitar. As mentioned previously, Martin has brought this model back from time to time, but with slightly different features. The model demonstrated here is like the one I am selling.

https://youtu.be/BX2imolO5ZE

I favor mahogany/red spruce guitars over Indian rosewood/Sitka models, but I tried one of these early D-21 Specials (2010) awhile ago and was blown away by the sound and the features.
The vintage toner on the one I played has darkened to a very nice hue which is bordered and set off by the rosewood bindings.

You should try to take a few more pictures in better light. These are great looking and sounding instruments !

Wish I could afford/justify this. Best price I've seen on a pre - "re-imagined" D-21. By a lot.

PM sent regarding a trade