C . F . MARTIN & CO .
D — 45 1942 D — 45 Modern Deluxe they ’ re referring to pre-World War II . Other guitar makers working today , who , trying to capture that quality , actually haven ’ t been at it all that long . When they say ‘ pre-war ,’ what exactly are they referring to — the Gulf War ? On the other hand , these makers are essentially affirming the fact that Martin is the real deal . It ’ s the authentic thing . All else is appearance and imitation . And those things , those real things , have intrinsic value . Imitations will never achieve that .”
While that value comes at a price , Greene notes that compared to other things that become obsolete within two years , it ’ s not expensive at all . “ It ’ s actually an incredible deal . Your grandchildren will be playing that guitar . That ’ s how they will remember you . Every time they play it , they ’ ll be reminded of you and appreciate that you imprinted something of yourself upon that instrument . What is that worth ?”
The magic of time , heirlooms , and provenance aside , Martin endeavors to make its value available in a way that anyone can experience it today , even as its value increases going forward . “ Not only can you get it ,” Greene says , “ you can get it with a lifetime warranty . What else can you buy these days that has a lifetime warranty ? People will spend $ 400,000 on a Ferrari that has a one-year warranty !” And Ferrari , of course , is good for just one note — an exhaust note .
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