The Martin D-35 guitar stands as a testament to masterful craftsmanship and sonic excellence, a dreadnought that has captivated musicians across genres for decades. Born from a legacy of innovation, the D-35 refines the classic dreadnought formula with distinctive features that contribute to its rich, resonant voice and exceptional playability. This iconic instrument is more than just a guitar; it’s a piece of musical history, revered for its balanced tone, powerful projection, and exquisite details.
At the heart of the Martin D-35’s captivating sound lies its meticulously selected tonewoods and construction. The top, crafted from solid Spruce, serves as the primary soundboard, vibrating freely to generate the guitar’s initial tones. Spruce is prized for its stiffness and lightness, a combination that yields exceptional clarity, responsiveness, and projection. The Aging Toner finish applied to the top not only enhances the visual appeal, imparting a vintage aesthetic, but also contributes subtly to the tonal maturity of the instrument.
Complementing the Spruce top are the back and sides constructed from East Indian Rosewood. This tonewood is celebrated for its rich harmonic overtones, adding depth, warmth, and complexity to the guitar’s voice. The gloss finish on the back and sides enhances the visual beauty of the rosewood, showcasing its stunning grain patterns. The D-14 Fret body size, a hallmark of the dreadnought design, ensures a robust low-end response and powerful volume, making it ideal for both strumming and fingerstyle playing. The Forward-Shifted X-Brace pattern further enhances the top’s vibration, contributing to the guitar’s responsiveness and dynamic range, while the non-scalloped braces maintain structural integrity and tonal focus.
The neck of the Martin D-35 is designed for optimal playability and comfort. Carved from Select Hardwood, the neck features a Modified Low Oval shape, offering a comfortable and familiar feel in the hand. The High-Performance Taper ensures consistent neck thickness as you move up the fretboard, facilitating smooth and fast playing across all registers. Topped with an Ebony fingerboard, the D-35 provides a smooth and responsive playing surface. Ebony is a dense hardwood known for its durability and contribution to bright, articulate tones. The fingerboard is adorned with Style 28 inlays crafted from Mother-of-Pearl, adding a touch of classic elegance. The 1 3/4” fingerboard width at the nut is a versatile dimension, accommodating a wide range of playing styles, from intricate fingerpicking to bold strumming.
Attention to detail extends to every aspect of the Martin D-35, including its hardware and appointments. The bridge, crafted from Ebony, and the compensated bone saddle work in harmony to ensure optimal transfer of string vibrations to the soundboard, maximizing resonance and sustain. The 2 5/32″ bridge string spacing provides comfortable spacing for picking and fingerstyle techniques. Chrome Enclosed Gear tuning machines offer smooth and reliable tuning stability, essential for consistent performance. The headstock, featuring a Solid with Square Taper shape and East Indian Rosewood headplate, proudly displays the Script Old Style Overlay logo, a mark of Martin’s heritage and craftsmanship. The nut, made of bone, further contributes to the guitar’s clear and resonant tone.
The Martin D-35 is more than just a collection of premium materials and specifications; it is the result of Martin’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. Every detail, from the Dovetail Neck Joint ensuring structural integrity and optimal tone transfer to the meticulous Pleked setup for perfect intonation and playability, reflects a dedication to creating instruments of exceptional quality. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, the Martin D-35 offers a playing experience that is both inspiring and rewarding, cementing its place as a true icon in the world of acoustic guitars. This instrument is delivered with a Molded Hardshell case, ensuring protection and portability for this valuable instrument. The Martin D-35 is also available in a left-handed configuration, ensuring accessibility for all players.
