{"product_id":"1979-martin-m-38-factory-custom-style-42-trim","title":"1979 Martin M-38 — Factory Custom, Style-42 Trim","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis 1979 Martin M-38 is a factory-custom example from the era when Martin quietly allowed dealers to order upgraded trim packages. The neck block is stamped M-38, confirming the base model, but the guitar was built with Style-42 appointments — a rare combination that predates the official M-42 by decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you know the M-body, you know why players love it: the 0000 silhouette gives you dreadnought width with 000 depth, producing a fast, balanced, articulate voice that records beautifully. This one adds the visual elegance and upscale feel of Style-42 trim without losing the M-38's tonal DNA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA true one-off from Martin's late-70s custom era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1979\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial:\u003c\/strong\u003e 410283\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel Stamp:\u003c\/strong\u003e M-38 (factory custom)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0000 \/ M\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sitka spruce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBack \u0026amp; Sides:\u003c\/strong\u003e East Indian rosewood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeck:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mahogany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFingerboard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ebony (jet-black, vintage density)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBridge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ebony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25.4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNut Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 11\/16\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBracing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scalloped X-bracing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInlays:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard M-38 dots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTuners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hard shell case (worn but protective)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFactory Custom Appointments (Style-42 Trim)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese features do not appear on standard production M-38s:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull abalone rosette (Style-42)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBound neck (Style-40\/42)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBound headstock (Style-42)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite\/black\/white purfling on neck and headstock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEbony fingerboard \u0026amp; Rosewood bridge\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis trim level places the guitar visually and structurally in Style-42 territory, making it significantly rarer and more collectible than a standard M-38.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTone \u0026amp; Feel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M-38 is known for its quick response, balanced mids, and piano-like clarity. This custom example delivers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrisp attack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTight low end\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent note separation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResponsive dynamics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA refined feel from the ebony board\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a player's guitar — not a museum piece — but it's structurally excellent and has decades of life left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayer-grade with honest wear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall dings and scuffs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight finish wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStructurally solid — no cracks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrets healthy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck angle good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpgraded bone nut\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase is worn but protective\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEndpin jack with internal pickup installed; functions with any external preamp or DI.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRarity \u0026amp; Value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFactory‑custom M‑38s with Style‑42 trim are extremely uncommon. Most M‑38s were standard production; only a small number were ordered with upgraded rosettes and binding, making examples like this notably rare and desirable among Martin collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTuned up with a new set of Martin Retro 12s. Currently lives in E Standard (or Eb for reduced tension during storage).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurated set includes the Guitar, Case, and leather Levy's comfort strap.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44478186422375,"sku":"MARTIN-1979-M38-FC-42","price":4250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/6816\/3687\/files\/IMG_0311.jpg?v=1787688920","url":"https:\/\/lemosandson.com\/products\/1979-martin-m-38-factory-custom-style-42-trim","provider":"Lemos and Son Vintage Guitar Gear","version":"1.0","type":"link"}