The Martin D-35 occupies a lofty perch in the pantheon of Martin dreadnoughts. Indeed, many discerning guitarists consider it the ultimate acoustic-electric guitar. With a top of select Sitka spruce and its iconic East Indian rosewood three-piece back, this legendary Martin tonewood combination delivers the robust bass response and powerful projection that makes it perfect for both stage and studio. Its Plek'd, bound ebony fretboard feels amazing, and responds beautifully to flat-picking or finger-style playing. Tastefully embellished with elegant appointments, this Martin D-35 incorporates off-the-charts tone, playability, and looks into one standard-setting axe. Many Sweetwater players have a D-35 in their collection and cherish its timeless tone and quality.
A quality acoustic guitar is all about the wood, and the Martin D-35 serves up a classic tonewood cocktail with no compromises. The top is solid Sitka spruce for big projection and spectacular note clarity. Its back and sides are made of solid East Indian rosewood, a classic Martin material. A select hardwood neck and bound, Plek'd ebony fretboard give the Martin D-35 smooth playability that compliments its awesome sound.
The political turmoil and social upheaval of the 1960s served as an incubator for some of the greatest music ever made. Martin dreadnoughts had played a major role in the folk music of the post-war years, and as folk and rock music edged inexorably closer, Martin launched a new guitar in 1965. In sync with the '60s zeitgeist, the D-35 was born of ecological concerns. Brazilian rosewood was fast becoming unsustainable, but Martin had a stash of rosewood from D-28 two-piece backs that had been set aside due to the presence of small defects. Using smaller pieces of wood, Martin luthiers could trim away any flaws and fashion a guitar with a stunning three-piece back.
But the D-35 was not just a D-28 with a fancier back. To differentiate the sound of this new model, Martin used lighter bracing: 1/4" for the top, and 000 back bracing. This created a louder, more resonant tone that lends itself beautifully to vocal accompaniment. Quickly, artists like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Bruce Springsteen gravitated to the D-35 and it continues to win over a new generation of players like Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers.
I am not a music store just a middle aged guy who loves guitars. I use to play drums and guitar until I broke my neck in a diving accident in 1991. Left me a quad in a wheelchair for the long haul...Can't move my fingers anymore to play. I really enjoy buying, selling and trading guitars as a hobby to give me something to do...Also get to meet some great people along ther way....Wish I could still play but hey I can still look and love them right...If you decide to buy one of my guitars you can rest assure it will be as described...keep rockin'
God Bless, Greg