I must admit that I was not very familiar with Martin's D-21. When you hear people talk about the "D" series, it's usually about the D-28, D-35 or D-45 (for the most part). The D-21 seemed to be an "under the radar" model, but when Lee first strummed this guitar, I was literally blown away. It immediately struck me as having a tight, crisp and very defined tone and I've heard him play everything from a vintage "Bone" to a wartime Banner J-45. I know that Tommy Emmanuel plays more OM- style guitars, but it also crossed my mind that I'd love to hear him tear into this instrument! So after doing some research, I have discovered that this guitar is the Martin Custom Shop's upscale version of a D-21 and it seems to me as if they spared no expense at making it a superior instrument. Here are but a few of the special features:

 Wide-grain Adirondack (Red Spruce) Top
 Hand- scalloped Adirondack Bracing
 Hide Glue Construction
 Madagascar Rosewood Back and Sides
 Madagascar Rosewood Bridge, Fingerboard, and Headstock Faceplate
 Koa Binding and Endpiece
 Bone Bridgepins and Endpin
 Bone Nut and Saddle
 Green Abalone Fretboard and Pin Inlay
 Waverly Tuners with Snakewood Tuning Buttons
 Original Martin Custom Shop Case 

  With features such as those, you can rest assured that you will be receiving a guitar that is superior in all aspects and worthy of your dedication to your craft. Personally, if I could play worth a poot, I'd show up at a campfire or picking circle with this guitar and let it do the talking for me. It would indeed be scary, this thing sounds so good but sadly, I'm relegated to plunking on an old doghouse bass at the edge of darkness. Such is life for those who choose the path less traveled. Lastly, most of these guitars were produced in their natural color, so if it's a rarer, shaded top example you desire, look no further than the 'Elk. We specialize in the special...for the special!