Introduction
The Martin D-35 is one of the most iconic and legendary acoustic guitars ever made. First introduced in 1965, the D-35 quickly became a favorite among discerning players and cemented its place as one of Martin’s flagship dreadnought models. With its luxurious appointments and rich, expressive tone, the D-35 embodies everything that makes Martin acoustics so highly prized.
Over 50 years after its debut, the D-35 remains one of Martin’s most popular and sought-after guitars. Its classic, understated elegance conceals a masterfully crafted instrument that produces a balanced, nuanced sound that works beautifully across musical genres. From roots and country to rock and pop, the D-35 has graced countless studio recordings and live performances. Its place in music history is assured.
The D-35 represents the pinnacle of Martin’s "square shoulder" dreadnought design – an enlarged 14-fret body married to the strongest tonewoods and finest craftsmanship available. The results speak for themselves, with a commanding voice that is clear, articulate and highly responsive. It’s no wonder the D-35 is a perennial favorite among acoustic masters like Johnny Cash, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
In this review, we’ll explore what makes the Martin D-35 so special. We’ll examine its construction, rich heritage, sound, playability and compare it to other Martin dreadnoughts. For players looking for more than just a guitar, but a lifetime companion, the D-35 is hard to beat.
Build Quality and Construction
The Martin D-35 features an all-solid wood construction using only premium tonewoods. This handcrafted guitar begins with a top made from solid Sitka spruce, one of the most tonally responsive and durable spruce species. Sitka delivers a balanced tone with complex overtones, excellent projection, and detailed note articulation.
The back and sides are constructed from solid East Indian rosewood. Known for its rich, deep bass response and shimmering high-end, rosewood provides the D-35 with a well-rounded tonal palette. Rosewood’s density also gives the D-35 a very resonant and sustaining voice.
True to Martin tradition, the D-35 utilizes a hand-fitted dovetail neck joint, a construction method that allows optimal energy transfer between the neck and body. The neck itself is made from durable mahogany for additional tonal depth and warmth.
The D-35’s build showcases Martin’s meticulous attention to detail, including multi-ply binding on the top, back, fingerboard and heelcap. The fretboard itself is crafted from ebony, known for its hardness and ability to yield clear, bell-like notes. A Style 45 rosette and old style Martin logo adorn the headstock.
Available finish options include a vintage gloss top with satin back and sides, or an all-gloss finish. Regardless of aesthetic choices, the D-35 remains focused on delivering Martin’s signature tone with the finest possible materials and old-world craftsmanship.
Body Shape and Dimensions
The Martin D-35 features the iconic dreadnought body shape that Martin pioneered and popularized. This large, wide body style provides powerful projection and deep bass response.
Specifically, the D-35 has the following body dimensions:
- Body Length: 20"
- Body Width: 16"
- Body Depth: 4 5/8"
The dreadnought shape is known for its balanced, comfortable feel thanks to its wide lower bout and sloped shoulder design. The D-35 has a rounded belly that nestles nicely against the player’s body in either a seated or standing position. The curved edges and contours make it easy to play for extended periods without fatigue.
Many players find the D-35’s proportions extremely comfortable to hold and play. The body is large enough to provide excellent projection, yet not too large to feel cumbersome. Whether fingerpicking melodies or aggressively strumming chords, the D-35 accommodates a wide variety of playing styles.
Neck Profile and Playability
The Martin D-35 features a neck made from solid mahogany, which provides stability and sustain. It has a modified low oval profile that measures 1 7/8" at the nut and 2 1/4" at the 12th fret. This neck shape will be comfortable for most players, offering a rounded, sleek feel.
The nut width of 1 11/16" gives adequate spacing for fingerstyle playing while still being manageable for strumming and chording. The ebony fingerboard has a 16" radius which allows for easier bending without fretting out. This flatter radius also promotes lower action compared to vintage style necks.
Overall, the D-35 offers excellent playability thanks to its comfortable neck profile, ideal string spacing, and smooth ebony fretboard. The neck is nicely rounded without being overly chunky. Combined with the 25.4" scale length, most players will find chording and lead playing to be very comfortable even in upper registers. The neck joint allows easy access to the highest frets.
Whether you prefer fingerpicking or strumming, the D-35’s neck feels natural. The neck thickness, string spacing, and fretboard radius create a very playable experience suitable for various techniques. The hand-rubbed satin finish allows for a smooth feel that promotes effortless shifting up and down the neck.
Hardware and Electronics
The Martin D-35 features high-quality hardware and electronics to complement its premium build. It comes equipped with Gotoh enclosed nickel tuners which provide smooth and precise tuning stability.
The nut and saddle are crafted from bone, which adds warmth and resonance to the guitar’s tone. The nut width measures 1 11/16", providing comfortable string spacing for fingerstyle playing.
The ebony bridge is elegantly shaped with a compensated saddle to improve intonation. Together with the bone nut and saddle, the ebony bridge gives the D-35 excellent sustain and resonance.
For amplification, the D-35 utilizes Fishman Sonitone electronics. This under-saddle piezo pickup system accurately captures the guitar’s natural tone with crisp highs and tight low end. It includes volume and tone controls discreetly mounted inside the soundhole for quick adjustments on stage. The Sonitone preamp provides excellent dynamic range when plugging into an amplifier or PA system.
Overall, the hardware complements the D-35’s build and sound perfectly. The tuners keep it in tune while the ebony and bone nut and saddle enhance resonance and sustain. The Fishman pickup blends in seamlessly, giving players the ability to amplify with ease while retaining the D-35’s pristine acoustic tone.
Sound and Tone
The Martin D-35 is renowned for its balanced, rich acoustic tone that has captivated players for decades. This classic dreadnought produces a sound that embodies the Martin hallmarks – plenty of bass punch, articulate mids, and crisp, shimmering treble.
The D-35 generates a robust low-end, thanks to its large dreadnought body and solid rosewood back and sides. The bass tones are tight and focused, providing a solid foundation without muddiness. When strummed, the D-35 delivers authoritative bass response that flatters rootsy styles like folk and country.
The midrange tones are clear and cutting, allowing individual notes to ring true. Complex chords sound lucid on the D-35, with each string voicing easy to discern. The crisp mids let the D-35 excel at vocal accompaniment, allowing the guitar to complement rather than compete with the singer.
Treble notes have a sweet, chiming presence, lending the D-35 pleasant shimmer and presence. The solid spruce top allows for pristine high-end detail. When played with a pick, the D-35 offers enough brightness and snap for lively lead lines. The top-end sparkle remains smooth and refined, not harsh or brittle.
The D-35’s secret weapon is its dynamic range. From hushed fingerpicking to aggressive strumming, the guitar responds beautifully to playing dynamics. The player’s touch impacts the tone and volume, allowing for great expression. Notes bloom with complexity as you dig in and pick harder.
This balanced, responsive tone comes from the D-35’s premium solid tonewoods and hand-scalloped bracing. The solid spruce and rosewood offer resonant, organic tone, while the bracing pattern provides the ideal structural support. The result is a versatile acoustic tone suited to any style.
Variations and Special Editions
The Martin D-35 has seen many variations and special limited editions over the decades since its introduction in 1968. Here are some of the most notable:
Retro Series D-35
The Retro Series D-35 pays homage to vintage appointments and materials of the 1960s and earlier. It features hide glue construction, open gear tuners, a vintage-style hardshell case and aged white binding. The tone is slightly different from the Standard Series, with enhanced bass and midrange response.
Modern Deluxe D-35
At the other end of the spectrum, the Modern Deluxe D-35 incorporates contemporary refinements for improved playability and amplified performance. It has a Performing Artist taper neck, Liquidmetal bridge pins and an Aura VT preamp system. The tone has excellent balance across the frequency spectrum.
D-35 50th Anniversary 1968 Model
In 2018 Martin released a 50th Anniversary model based on the original 1968 D-35 specs, including pearl script logo, nickel open gear tuners, ebony fingerboard and vintage sunburst finish. Only 150 were produced worldwide.
Custom Shop D-35
Martin’s Custom Shop offers a huge range of options for building a personalized D-35, from premium tonewood upgrades to custom inlays, finishes and electronics. Exotic woods, intricate ornamentation and bold visuals are all possible for players seeking a fully customized instrument.
Over the decades Martin has produced many other limited and special edition D-35 models, often in collaboration with famous players or commemorating historic events. Collectors prize rare examples like D-35s made from Brazilian rosewood before the CITES restrictions took effect.
Pricing and Availability
The Martin D-35 typically has a retail price starting around $3,000 for a new model. However, street prices at authorized Martin dealers are generally several hundred dollars lower, in the $2,600 – $2,800 range. This pricing puts the D-35 in the upper tier of premium acoustic guitars.
Several factors contribute to the D-35’s higher cost compared to more affordable acoustics. First and foremost is the use of all solid tonewoods – solid Sitka spruce on the top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides. Solid woods require more raw material, are more labor intensive to work with, and also impart superior resonance and tone.
The D-35 is also entirely hand-built and hand-finished by Martin’s expert craftsmen in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. This hands-on attention to detail is a major value-add. Machine-made guitars cannot replicate the precision fitting, voicing, and final setup work done on the D-35.
Finally, the Martin brand name and legacy come with a price premium. As one of the most renowned and iconic acoustic guitar makers, Martin can command higher prices based on reputation alone. Players are willing to pay extra for the history and cachet of owning a real Martin.
New Martin D-35s can be purchased directly from authorized Martin dealers online or in physical guitar stores. Buying from a reputable dealer ensures you get a genuine authorized product with a warranty. The used market also offers savings on vintage D-35s, but be sure to inspect condition and provenance closely on second-hand models. Reverb.com and eBay are popular online marketplaces for used instruments.
Notable Players
The Martin D-35 has been the acoustic guitar of choice for many famous musicians over the years. Its rich, balanced tone has shaped the signature sounds of numerous recording artists across multiple genres. Here are some of the most notable players who have made the D-35 an integral part of their music.
Johnny Cash is perhaps most closely associated with the Martin D-35. Cash played a 1969 D-35 for decades, using it to craft his iconic country, rock, and Americana tones. The full-bodied low end and crisp treble of the D-35 can be heard all over Cash’s discography. Martin even released a Johnny Cash Signature Edition D-35 to commemorate his love of the model.
Neil Young favored a D-35 for much of his early solo career and live performances in the 1970s. The warm, detailed midrange of his Martin D-35 was a staple of albums like Harvest and live recordings like Live at Massey Hall 1971. Young’s rhythmic strumming and melodic leads were accentuated by the D-35’s dynamic range.
Bob Dylan also relied heavily on the D-35 during his "Nashville Skyline" period in the late 1960s. Dylan’s more relaxed vocal delivery and country influences were complemented by the D-35’s crisp-yet-mellow tone. The D-35 added a polished resonance to Dylan’s evolving folk-rock sound in the studio and on stage.
Beyond these three icons, many other artists like Hank Williams Sr., Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, John Denver, John Prine and more have used Martin D-35s to craft their iconic acoustic guitar tones over the decades. The D-35 seems to inspire singer-songwriters across generations and genres.
Summary and Rating
The Martin D-35 stands as one of the most iconic acoustic guitars ever made, and for good reason. Its all-solid wood construction with a Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides produces a rich, vibrant tone that excels across musical genres. The modified low oval neck has a smooth and comfortable feel, making the D-35 a joy to play for long periods. Visually, its herringbone binding and other premium appointments give it a refined, vintage vibe.
However, the D-35 does come at a premium price point given its hand-built craftsmanship and top-tier materials. The tone may also be too bassy for some players, especially in smaller spaces. The vintage look and feel isn’t ideal for those wanting modern appointments.
In summary, the Martin D-35 remains a benchmark acoustic guitar for professionals and enthusiasts who appreciate superb craftsmanship and tone. Its tonal balance and playability allow it to shine in the studio or on stage. For players willing to invest in a top-tier instrument that will last a lifetime, the D-35 is hard to beat. It rightfully deserves its place among the most coveted flattop acoustics of all time.