On consignment, we are honored to offer an absolutely extraordinary, one-of-a-kind Wayne Henderson D-42 style dreadnought. This instrument represents the pinnacle of modern luthiery—meticulously handcrafted by one of America’s most revered guitar makers and musicians.
Wayne C. Henderson, born in 1947 in Grayson County, Virginia, is a true master of traditional arts. A 1995 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, he comes from a family of mountain craftspeople and musicians. He began learning the craft from local violin maker Albert Hash and has since built nearly 1,000 guitars (along with over 100 mandolins) in his small shop in Rugby, Virginia. Inspired by pre-war C.F. Martin instruments, Henderson’s guitars are prized for their exceptional tone, impeccable craftsmanship, and artistic beauty. They have found homes with legends like Doc Watson, Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Gillian Welch. Henderson is equally celebrated as a masterful fingerstyle guitarist, known for his warm, engaging playing and deep roots in Appalachian music traditions. His instruments are not mass-produced; each is a personal work of art that can take years to complete, with waiting lists stretching a decade or more.
This particular guitar stands alone even within Henderson’s legendary body of work. It is a custom 14-fret dreadnought built in the classic D-42 style, featuring some of the most exclusive wood selections and appointments available today. No other Henderson guitar matches this exact combination of materials and details.
Key Specifications:
• Top: AAA “Magnum” Red Spruce with Wayne’s signature 1937 shade top varnish finish
• Back & Sides: Gorgeous matched set of The Tree Mahogany
• Bracing: 1937 forward-shifted X-bracing
• Top Trim & Rosette: 42-style abalone (with select Green Abalone), featuring tortoise celluloid in the large center rosette ring to match the binding
• Binding: Dark tortoise celluloid with .010” side purfling
• Neck: Mahogany, pre-war Martin-inspired shape, 25.4” scale length, 1¾” nut width
• Fretboard: Ebony with Red Abalone “Tree of Life” inlays and dark tortoise binding with green abalone purfling
• Frets: Medium/Medium EVO Gold wire
• Bridge: Ebony with cut-through long saddle
• Tuners: Gold Waverly
• Headplate: The Tree Mahogany with Henderson Torch inlay in Red Abalone and rear headstock overlay of The Tree
• Finish: varnish
• Case: Includes the original Henderson-branded hardshell case
This is a serious instrument for both the discerning player and the serious collector. Its powerful, dynamic voice—rich with bass response, sparkling trebles, and that signature Henderson clarity and sustain—will be best experienced through the included video demonstration.
Because of its unique combination of rare “The Tree” Mahogany, Magnum Red Spruce, and elevated 42-style appointments, this guitar simply does not exist anywhere else. While a handful of Henderson 18- and 28-style instruments occasionally appear on the market, a D-42 of this caliber is a singular opportunity.
If you’re seeking a masterpiece that embodies the very best of American acoustic guitar making—rooted in tradition yet elevated to new heights—this is it.
Demo video: https://youtu.be/Hcrgd3yR5vw?si=67jkqAOIye8Nqqdo
On consignment, we are honored to offer an absolutely extraordinary, one-of-a-kind Wayne Henderson D-42 style dreadnought. This instrument represents the pinnacle of modern luthiery—meticulously handcrafted by one of America’s most revered guitar makers and musicians.
Wayne C. Henderson, born in 1947 in Grayson County, Virginia, is a true master of traditional arts. A 1995 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, he comes from a family of mountain craftspeople and musicians. He began learning the craft from local violin maker Albert Hash and has since built nearly 1,000 guitars (along with over 100 mandolins) in his small shop in Rugby, Virginia. Inspired by pre-war C.F. Martin instruments, Henderson’s guitars are prized for their exceptional tone, impeccable craftsmanship, and artistic beauty. They have found homes with legends like Doc Watson, Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Gillian Welch. Henderson is equally celebrated as a masterful fingerstyle guitarist, known for his warm, engaging playing and deep roots in Appalachian music traditions. His instruments are not mass-produced; each is a personal work of art that can take years to complete, with waiting lists stretching a decade or more.
This particular guitar stands alone even within Henderson’s legendary body of work. It is a custom 14-fret dreadnought built in the classic D-42 style, featuring some of the most exclusive wood selections and appointments available today. No other Henderson guitar matches this exact combination of materials and details.
Key Specifications:
• Top: AAA “Magnum” Red Spruce with Wayne’s signature 1937 shade top varnish finish
• Back & Sides: Gorgeous matched set of The Tree Mahogany
• Bracing: 1937 forward-shifted X-bracing
• Top Trim & Rosette: 42-style abalone (with select Green Abalone), featuring tortoise celluloid in the large center rosette ring to match the binding
• Binding: Dark tortoise celluloid with .010” side purfling
• Neck: Mahogany, pre-war Martin-inspired shape, 25.4” scale length, 1¾” nut width
• Fretboard: Ebony with Red Abalone “Tree of Life” inlays and dark tortoise binding with green abalone purfling
• Frets: Medium/Medium EVO Gold wire
• Bridge: Ebony with cut-through long saddle
• Tuners: Gold Waverly
• Headplate: The Tree Mahogany with Henderson Torch inlay in Red Abalone and rear headstock overlay of The Tree
• Finish: varnish
• Case: Includes the original Henderson-branded hardshell case
This is a serious instrument for both the discerning player and the serious collector. Its powerful, dynamic voice—rich with bass response, sparkling trebles, and that signature Henderson clarity and sustain—will be best experienced through the included video demonstration.
Because of its unique combination of rare “The Tree” Mahogany, Magnum Red Spruce, and elevated 42-style appointments, this guitar simply does not exist anywhere else. While a handful of Henderson 18- and 28-style instruments occasionally appear on the market, a D-42 of this caliber is a singular opportunity.
If you’re seeking a masterpiece that embodies the very best of American acoustic guitar making—rooted in tradition yet elevated to new heights—this is it.
Demo video: https://youtu.be/Hcrgd3yR5vw?si=67jkqAOIye8Nqqdo
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