Martin D35 Guitar Buying Guide

C.F. Martin & Company has been making guitars since 1833, which is most revered for its flattop acoustic guitars, including the Martin D35.

Artists as varied as Beck, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and Johnny Cash have used them, and collectors pay thousands of dollars for vintage models. For acoustic pickers, Martin guitars are indeed the gold standard. Here are some tips to finding the best Martin D35 guitar to add to your collection.

Sound of the Martin D35

Martin guitars have always been noted for their tonal quality, and the Martin D35 Guitar continues that tradition. You can frequently find the words ‘big’ and ‘deep’ being used to describe the sound of the D35.

In addition, while the low end is full and rich, in the higher registers it excels as well, as shown by the many players who compliment it on its clear ringing tone.

Look of the Martin D35

Visually, this guitar has the iconic Martin look– the white flattop with the black teardrop-shaped pick guard below the circular sound hole.

The body of the guitar is made from East Indian rosewood, the neck from select hardwood. The bridge is solid ebony. It has 20 frets, 14 clear, and has a scale length of 25.4 inches.

Buying the Martin D35

With a list price of more than three thousand dollars, a Martin guitar is a major investment. You want to be certain that you choose the instrument that is perfect for you.

So when you audition guitars to compare them it is important to compare them under identical conditions. The room you are playing in can greatly affect the instrument’s sound, so try to audition your potential purchases in the same location.

A much-played guitar may naturally acquires a fuller sound than a seldom-touched model, so that may also have to be factored in. Different brands of strings, even using a different pick will influence the sound, so try to eliminate any variations in those areas as well.

For almost two centuries, Martin has been creating fine guitars, and the D35 certainly lives up to the Martin name. Rest assured, if you decide to buy one, you’ll be acquiring a guitar that will sound great for a long time to come.