Martin Style 42 Guitar Models:
Martin 000-42, OM-42, 00-42, 0-42
Description: Martin OOO-42, OM-42, OO-42, O-42 style flat top guitars
Available: 1858 to present. In particular, the 000-42 was available
in 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 (then reissued by Martin recently due
to Eric Clapton using a 1939 Martin OOO-42 in his live performances).
Collectibility Rating: Pre-WWII OOO-42 and OM-42: A+, OO-42: A, O-42: B.
General Comments:
The Style 42 Martin guitar (000-42, OM-42, 00-42, 0-42) is a spruce top, rosewood body
Martin guitar that is a step below flagship of the Martin guitar
style 45 line. Essentially the Style 42 is
a water-down version of the Style 45, with only pearl trim on the top
(and not the back and sides like the Style 45). Still the style 42 has
awesome sound and incredible workmanship and pearl/abalone work.
The Martin style 42 was not originally available in the D body size
(though Martin did make a D-42 starting in 1986, but I hardly consider
that a "vintage" Martin). The OM-42 was only made in 1930 with extremely
low production (the OM-45 really overshadowed the OM-42).
The "42" portion of the model indicates the style of the guitar. The letters before the "42"
indicate the body size (0-42 being the smallest, 00-42 being larger,
and OM-42 and 000-42 being larger still). The models OM-42 and 000-42 is regarded as "the best" size
as applicable to today's musical styles.
But all the Martin style 42 guitars are interesting, as they are beautiful instruments.
Note when refering to the number of "frets", this means the number of frets clear of
the body (not the total number of actual frets). This will be either 12 or 14 frets
clear of the body.
Model Years
----- ---------
1-42 1898-1904, 1911-1919
O-42 1898-1930
OO-42 1898-1942
OOO-42 1918-1925, 1938-1943
OM-42 1930
D-42 1986-present
Here's a list of the body sizes (because before October 1930 the
body style and size was not stamped into the neck block above
the serial number, so the body size and style number are
hard to determine on pre 10/30 models):
Size Frets Width Depth Length Year Introduced/Notes
---- ----- ----- ----- ------ ---------------------
O 12 13 1/2 4 3/16 19 1/8 1852
O 14 13 1/2 4 1/4 18 3/8 1934 (first year for 14 frets)
OO 12 14 1/8 4 1/16 19 5/8 1877
OO 14 14 5/16 4 1/8 18 7/8 1934 (first year for 14 frets)
OOO 12 15 4 1/16 20 7/16 1902
OOO 14 15 4 1/8 19 3/8 1934 (first year for 14 frets)
OM 14 15 4 1/8 19 3/8 1929 (discontinued 1934)
D 14 15 5/8 4 7/8 20 1934
If you need to figure out the exact year and body size of your Martin style 42 guitar,
use the serial and style/size numbers.
This is stamped inside the body's sound hole on the neck block.
See the Martin Serial Number Info web page
for help determining the exact year.
If you have a vintage Martin style 42 (000-42, 00-42, 0-42, etc.) guitar for sale, please contact me at
cfh@provide.net
Rosewood back and sides, fancy inlay, fancy backstripe, ebony fingerboard.
0-42 and 00-42 were always 12 fret models until discontinued in 1942.
1858 Martin Style 42 guitar introduction specs:
- Abalone inlay around top, soundhole and border around neck tongue.
- Ivory binding on top and back.
- Ivory bridge.
- Pearl tuner buttons.
1898 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
- Snowflake pattern fingerboard inlays at 5/7/9 frets.
1901 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
- Snowflake pattern fingerboard inlays at 5/7/9/12/15 frets.
1918 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
- Ebony bridge replaces ivory.
- Celluloid binding replaces ivory.
- Bound neck with varied patern fingerboard inlays.
1930 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
- OM-42 made with 14 fret neck, 25.4" scale, solid unbound
peghead, nickle plated banjo tuners. Front of the peghead is plain
(no inlay and no Martin logo).
1932 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
1934 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
- Changed from 12 fret clear body style to 14 frets clear.
1938 Martin Style 42 guitar specs:
- All Martin models change the neck nut width from 1 3/4" to 1 11/16".
Style 42 discontinued (last 000-42 made in 1943). D-42 introduced in 1986.
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