Introduction
Martin Guitars has been a leader in acoustic instruments for over 180 years. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship and tone, Martin acoustics are revered by musicians across genres. The Martin HD-35 is one of their classic dreadnought models, featuring an all-solid wood construction and premium appointments reminiscent of vintage Martins from the 1930s.
With its solid Sitka spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides, the HD-35 delivers the balanced, nuanced tone that Martin is famous for. The scalloped X-bracing allows the top to vibrate freely, projecting with excellent volume and articulation. Visually, the HD-35 has the quintessential herringbone trim binding along the top that Martin helped popularize back in the day.
Here’s a video demo of the Martin HD-35 in action:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiCcf8_cY3I]
The HD-35 exemplifies everything that makes Martin such an esteemed acoustic guitar manufacturer. Let’s take a more in-depth look at what sets this instrument apart.
Build Quality
The Martin HD-35 is built with exceptional craftsmanship and premium materials that make it stand out from other acoustic guitars in its class. As with all Martin instruments, it is constructed completely by hand in the company’s US-based factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
The all-solid wood construction starts with carefully chosen tonewoods that are strong yet resonant. The solid Sitka spruce used for the top is hand-selected and expertly bookmatched for aesthetic appeal and tonal balance. The solid Indian rosewood back and sides are also bookmatched and contribute to the guitar’s complex warmth and sustain.
A high level of attention to detail is apparent across the entire guitar, from the dovetail neck joint to the flawless nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Precise fretwork and setup results in excellent playability right out of the case. The herringbone trim binding is applied with exacting precision, showing the craftsmanship that goes into a USA-made Martin.
Overall, the materials and build of the HD-35 are comparable to that of high-end luthier-built acoustic guitars. Between the solid woods, hand-shaped neck, and nitro finish, it displays a level of quality not found in lower-priced imports. This exceptional construction contributes to the full, balanced tone that Martin acoustics are famous for.
Tonewoods
The HD-35 utilizes premium tonewoods that give it a beautifully balanced and resonant tone.
Sitka Spruce Top
The top is made from solid Sitka spruce, which is prized for its strength, flexibility, and balanced tonal response. Sitka spruce produces crisp highs, clear midrange, and good note separation. It’s also very responsive to playing dynamics – it will sound lively when strummed hard, but retain warmth during softer playing. Sitka is a popular top wood for dreadnoughts as it provides volume and headroom.
Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
The back and sides are solid Indian rosewood, which imparts a sweet, warm sound. The bass notes have good depth and definition. Indian rosewood contributes complex overtones to each note, giving the HD-35 a richness and resonance. Its high end is rounded and refined. Overall, Indian rosewood backs and sides pair extremely well with the spruce top.
Sound Profile
The Martin HD-35 produces a beautifully balanced, warm, and rich tone that is the hallmark of a quality Martin acoustic guitar. It has excellent projection, filling the room with a full-bodied dreadnought sound. The dynamic range is impressive, responding well to both gentle fingerpicking and aggressive strumming.
The all-solid wood construction really allows the HD-35 to shine in terms of its tone. The solid Sitka spruce top provides the shimmery highs while the solid Indian rosewood back and sides bring the warmth and bass response. This combination results in a well-rounded tonal profile.
One of the best aspects of the HD-35’s sound is that it improves with age. As the woods mature, the tone becomes even more open, rich, and nuanced. Owners can look forward to the guitar sounding better and better each year as the woods vibrate and resonate more freely. The HD-35 is an investment that provides a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
Playability & Feel
The Martin HD-35 is a very playable instrument, living up to Martin’s reputation for premium acoustic guitars. It has a smooth and comfortable neck profile that allows for easy chord changes and fast runs up and down the neck. The action is set low from the factory, making it easy to fret notes without a lot of undue finger pressure.
The neck itself is made from select mahogany which contributes to its stability and playability over time. It has an ebony fingerboard known for its smoothness, hardness, and durability. The fretwork from the Martin factory is very precise with no sharp edges to irritate your hands during long practice or gigging sessions.
The dreadnought body shape itself is comfortable to hold in either a seated or standing position. Its curvy shape fits nicely against your torso. The body is an ideal size – not too large or small – making it accessible for most players. The HD-35 feels balanced and not neck or body heavy.
The versatile playability makes the HD-35 a great choice for both strumming and fingerstyle techniques. It has the dynamic range to handle aggressive flatpicking or delicate fingerpicking equally well. The bass response allows for rhythmic chording while the clear treble notes shine through on lead lines. Overall an inspiring instrument for various techniques and musical genres.
Appointments
The HD-35 has several high-end appointments that contribute to its beauty and playability. This includes:
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Herringbone binding – The classic herringbone trim binding gives the HD-35 a vintage aesthetic. The multi-piece binding is assembled from many thin strips of wood in a zig-zag "herringbone" pattern. This is a time-consuming process that showcases Martin’s craftsmanship.
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Ebony fingerboard – The fingerboard is constructed from premium ebony wood. Ebony has a smooth, hard surface that provides excellent feel and wear resistance. It also helps bring out the treble tones.
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Pearl dot inlays – The fretboard has small pearl dot position markers. The understated dots allow the natural beauty of the ebony and spruce to take center stage.
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Nitrocellulose finish – The body has a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish. This allows the wood to naturally resonate and "breathe" compared to thicker finishes. Nitrocellulose ages gracefully over decades of playing.
The attention to fine details like these appointments help make the HD-35 feel like a lifetime instrument. Martin selected each element with care to both look stunning and enhance the guitar’s tone and playability.
Bracing
The Martin HD-35 features scalloped X-bracing, which is a patented design that increases the guitar’s resonance and allows the top to vibrate more freely. Scalloping involves carving out sections of the braces so they are thinner at certain points. This allows the top more space to vibrate and flex. The result is improved volume, projection, and tonal response across the entire frequency range.
Compared to traditional non-scalloped X-bracing, the scalloped bracing in the HD-35 gives it a more open and organic tone. The notes bloom effortlessly with rich sustain. The design also reduces damping so notes ring out with more clarity. Many players feel scalloped bracing gives a more "alive" tone. The solid spruce top is able to resonate without being over-restricted by thick braces. This helps unlock the HD-35’s full tonal potential.
Martin HD-35 vs D-35
The Martin HD-35 and D-35 are both classic dreadnought acoustic guitars with all-solid wood construction. However, there are some key differences between the models:
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The HD-35 features a herringbone trim while the D-35 has a simple binding. This gives the HD-35 a more vintage, ornate look.
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The HD-35 utilizes scalloped "X" bracing which allows the spruce top to vibrate more freely. The D-35 has standard non-scalloped bracing.
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The back and sides on the D-35 are made of East Indian rosewood, while the HD-35 uses Indian rosewood. The East Indian variety tends to be slightly more dense and colorful.
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The HD-35 generally costs $300-$400 more than the comparable D-35 model. The herringbone trim and scalloped bracing add to the cost.
So which model is better? It depends on your needs and preferences:
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The HD-35 is the way to go if you want the vintage vibe of the herringbone trim and appreciate the potentially enhanced resonance from the scalloped bracing.
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However, the D-35 offers nearly identical all-solid wood tone at a lower price point. The East Indian rosewood is also quite beautiful.
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Overall, the HD-35 may be incrementally better for flatpicking and fingerstyle playing where you want maximum volume, projection and note separation.
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But for strumming and basic chords, the D-35 is hard to beat – you still get that booming Martin dreadnought sound at a more affordable price.
Either way, you can’t really go wrong with these two iconic acoustic guitars from Martin. Try them both to see which aesthetic and tonal nuances speak to you most.
Martin HD-35 Variations
The Martin HD-35 comes in several variations to suit different players’ needs and preferences.
Finish Options
The HD-35 is available in three standard finish options:
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Natural Gloss – This finish showcases the guitar’s natural wood grain for a classic, understated look.
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Ambertone – Martin’s proprietary Ambertone finish gives the HD-35 a lighter, more vintage appearance.
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Sunburst – A shaded brown to caramel sunburst finish provides striking visual flair.
Left-Handed Models
For left-handed players, Martin offers the HD-35L model, with all the same features as the standard HD-35 but optimized for playing in a left-handed orientation.
HD-35E Acoustic-Electric
The HD-35E version comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system, allowing you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for amplified performances. The electronics are discreetly installed to maintain the guitar’s traditional aesthetics.
Conclusion
The Martin HD-35 is a premium, professional-grade acoustic guitar that will satisfy even the most discerning players. Its all-solid wood construction produces exceptional tone that only improves over time, with the punchy lows of rosewood and the shimmering highs of Sitka spruce. The HD-35 is an especially great choice for those who appreciate the vintage vibe of its herringbone trim and classic dreadnought shape.
With buttery playability that excels at both fingerstyle techniques and aggressive strumming, along with the volume to hold its own on stage, the HD-35 is highly versatile for many musical genres. The attention to detail in its craftsmanship and setup ensures it plays and sounds its very best right out of the case. For players who can afford its premium price tag, the HD-35 is easy to give a 5-star rating and our highest recommendation. This is a guitar built to stand the test of time, inspiring musicians with its tone for many decades to come.
The Martin HD-35 is best suited for serious players looking for the ultimate acoustic guitar experience. Its ability to project while maintaining balanced and detailed tone makes it a top choice for live performers. The HD-35 also rewards gentler players with its dynamic range and nuanced response. And its vintage vibe attracts those looking for old-school cool factor along with modern playability. For players who dream of owning a premium Martin acoustic, the HD-35 is sure to satisfy.