Martin D-35 Dreadnought GuitarMartin D-35 Dreadnought
The D-35 was introduced in 1965 in response to a shortage of Brazilian rosewood stock large enough to finish 2-piece Dreadnought-sized backs. The resultant three-piece back - triangular center wedge and matching outer "wings" - follows a centuries-old tradition among European and Spanish luthiers of building multi-piece backs. Martin's three-piece back design is especially striking. Extra wide bindings, bound ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge add to the distinctiveness of this model; but the appeal of the D-35 is more than just visual.
Tonally, the three-piece back produces a particularly strong bass, making the D-35 ideal for rhythm playing. To accentuate the treble, Martin uses lighter 1/4" top braces which give the D-35 its characteristic warmth and balance.
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Well, I bought one of those Martin's back in 1976 when they were made poorly. It's pre-truss rod and the action is pretty high. But, the tone still hi-jacks my breath. It's been around the world via my USMC helo pilot experiences. Loretta Lynn's guitar player had to borrow it once for a USO deal she did for the ships in our MARG. The band's instruments were lost. I had the only only guitar on the USS Guam. It still has his yippee-tie-yigh-ay belt buckle scratches on the back. I can't walk by and not pick it up and play it. I've played all kinds of acoustics and my D-35 beats them all.
I started off playing guitar when I was thirteen with a used Kay model my parents bought for me at a local thrift shop back in 1967. I can't believe all the guitars I had worked through to get to this point of owning a D-35 Martin. There is absolutely no denying that I feel a "utopian effect" every time I pick up my Martin. It's got the sweetest, deepest sound on the face of the earth. I bought my first Martin, an HD35P, back in'87 and played the heck out of it for eleven years until '99, when I had to sell it for health reasons. I grieved for days and months over the loss of my beloved companion. When I was able to do so, I purchased another HD35 in 2000. It had the same incredible deep sound, but something about it just did not feel or remind me of my beloved '87. In 2002 I acquired a D35 and the first time I saw and played it I fell in love with it. It's looks are not only similar to the '87 with its black pickguard(less the herringbone trim), but it felt and played as if I was holding my old friend again. It really blows me away that the new D-35 has as rich of a sound and tone, as the aging '87 did right before I let it go. How amazing is that, talk about quality!
Im a Hawaiian Slack Key Guitarist and noticed the difference right off the start. I was comparing Martin vs. Taylor and Martin was the one!! Tone quality over passed the Taylor and the way they make the Martin D-35 you know only Martin Guitar Co. is the real stuff. I've actually spent 5 hours in the guitar shop looking for the right guitar and believe me....Martin D-35 is the one!
I own a 1994 D-35 and love it. Of all the guitars I have ever owned or played the D-35 models were the loudest. However the factory action setup leaves much to be desired. I also found that a solid real bone bridge saddle replacement improved my sound almost 10-20%. Unless you can do your own setup work, plan to pay someone to clean up the action on a factory Martin after you buy it. After that you'll be hard pressed to find a better guitar.
I have played a martin D-35 since 1975. The guitar has a tone and a volume that is just beautiful. I finger pick and flat pick and both styles are terrific on this guitar. It is an incredible instrument!
