The Martin D-35 is an iconic dreadnought acoustic guitar, revered for its balanced tone and exquisite craftsmanship. This detailed breakdown explores the specifications that define the legendary Martin D-35, a favorite among discerning guitar players worldwide.
Body Construction and Materials
The D-35 boasts a classic dreadnought body size, constructed with a dovetail neck joint for optimal resonance and structural integrity. The top is crafted from solid spruce, known for its exceptional clarity and projection. It features a gloss finish and an aging toner, giving it a vintage aesthetic appeal. The back and sides are made of East Indian rosewood, also with a gloss finish, contributing to the guitar’s rich and complex tonal character. The bracing pattern is forward-shifted X-brace with non-scalloped braces, which further enhances the guitar’s powerful and articulate sound.
Dimensions and Spacing
The D-35 has a scale length of 25.4″, contributing to its comfortable string tension and projection. The fingerboard width at the nut is 1 3/4”, favored by players for fingerstyle and flatpicking alike. The bridge string spacing is 2 5/32″, providing ample room for clean picking and strumming.
Top Details
The top of the Martin D-35 is adorned with antique white binding and a multi-stripe top inlay material. A tortoise pattern pickguard protects the spruce top from pick scratches. The rosette is a classic multi-stripe design, complementing the overall aesthetic. The bridge is made of ebony in a modern belly style with a drop-in saddle, ensuring excellent string vibration transfer. Bridge pins are made of white plastic with faux tortoise dots. The saddle itself is compensated bone, with a 16″ radius, optimizing intonation and playability.
Neck and Headstock
The neck of the D-35 is crafted from select hardwood, featuring a modified low oval neck shape and a high-performance taper, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience. The neck has a satin finish and a dark mahogany color. The fingerboard is made of ebony, known for its smooth feel and durability. It has a fingerboard width of 2 1/8” at the 12th fret and features Style 28 inlays made of mother-of-pearl. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret, with a total of 20 frets. Antique white binding and black side dots enhance the fingerboard’s playability and visual appeal.
The headstock of the Martin D-35 is solid with a square taper and features a headplate made of East Indian rosewood. The headplate logo is the Script Old Style Overlay. Tuning machines are chrome enclosed gear with large knobs, ensuring precise and stable tuning. The nut is made of bone.
Additional Features
The Martin D-35 comes with a molded hardshell case for protection. Left-handed versions are available. It is Pleked for optimal playability. While electronics are optional, the core acoustic tone of the D-35 is highly sought after by musicians. Martin recommends Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze – Medium strings to complement the D-35’s voice.
Conclusion
The Martin D-35 guitar stands as a testament to Martin’s legacy of quality and innovation. Its meticulously chosen materials and precise construction result in an instrument with exceptional tone, playability, and timeless appeal, making it a prized possession for any serious guitarist.
