Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $3,407
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Martin D-35". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Martin D-35 Acoustic Guitar: A Classic with a Modern Twist
Born from the folk music boom of the 1960s, the Martin D-35 acoustic guitar has been a favorite among musicians for its unique three-piece back design and rich tonal variations. Originally created due to a shortage of rosewood, this instrument quickly became a standard in the industry for its unique aesthetic and distinctive sound.
Today's D-35 has been finely tuned to combine the best of vintage appointments with the playability of a modern guitar. The placement of the 1/4” bracing has been forward-shifted, creating a balanced bass with a harmonious blend of mid and high-end frequencies. Alongside its distinctive sound, the modified low oval neck and Performing Artist taper offer improved playability, making the transition from electric to acoustic smoother.
The D-35 is not just about sound and playability. Its aesthetic details are equally impressive, featuring a solid spruce top, solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, an ebony bridge and fingerboard, and an antique white binding. All these elements come together to create a guitar that looks as good as it sounds.
Key Features:
- Solid spruce top for powerful projection and note clarity
- Solid East Indian rosewood back and sides for a rich, resonant tone
- Modified low oval neck with Performing Artist taper for smooth playability
- Forward-shifted 1/4" X brace for a balanced bass response
- Ebony bridge and fingerboard for a sleek, modern look
- Hand-fit dovetail neck joint for enhanced stability
- Nitrocellulose lacquer for a vintage, glossy finish
- Mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlay pattern for a touch of elegance
- Aging toner for a timeless aesthetic
- Bone nut and saddle for superior sustain and resonance
- Includes a hardshell case for protection and transportation
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | D-35 Standard Dreadnought |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Top Wood | Solid Spruce |
| Top Finish | Gloss |
| Body Bracing | Forward Shifted X-brace |
| Binding | Antique White |
| Neck Wood | Select Hardwood |
| Neck Finish | Satin |
| Neck Shape | GE Modified Low Oval |
| Radius | 16" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Style 28 |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 25.4" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Tuning Machines | Nickel Open-gear |
| Strings | Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0, .013-.056 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What is the primary wood used for the back and sides of the Martin D-35?
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The Martin D-35 features solid East Indian rosewood for the back and sides, which contributes to its rich, warm tone and powerful projection.
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How does the Martin D-35's neck profile affect playability?
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The Martin D-35 has a GE Modified Low Oval neck shape, providing a comfortable grip that is well-suited for both strumming and fingerstyle playing.
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What kind of bracing does the Martin D-35 use, and how does it impact the sound?
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The Martin D-35 utilizes forward shifted X-bracing, which enhances the guitar's bass response and overall resonance, offering a balanced and dynamic sound.
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Is the Martin D-35 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Martin D-35 is an excellent choice for live performances due to its powerful projection and balanced tone, making it a favorite among professional musicians.
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Does the Martin D-35 come with a case?
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Yes, the Martin D-35 comes with a hardshell case, providing excellent protection for the guitar during transport and storage.
Videos
Acoustic Letter
Martin D-35 Review
Reviews
PROS
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Rich and vibrant tone that stands out among other models
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Smooth action and comfortable playability for a dreadnought
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Excellent sustain, making it ideal for extended play
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Forward shifted 1/4" bracing enhances sound clarity and richness
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Versatile sound, from crisp highs to growling bass
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High-quality construction with Rosewood back and spruce top
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Factory setup praised for being low and smooth
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Distinctive three-piece back adds to aesthetic and sonic appeal
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Ideal for both strumming and picking styles
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Offers a loud, clear sound that projects well
CONS
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Initial high string action may require professional setup adjustments
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Susceptible to humidity; proper care needed to prevent warping
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D-35.
Build quality
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The D-35 features lighter bracing at 1/4" width, contributing to its unique tonal characteristics compared to the standard D-28 and D-18.
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The D-35's fretboard often features distinctive streaks, providing an artistic and unique appearance that many owners appreciate over traditional dark ebony boards.
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Features and functionality
User experience
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Many players report the D-35 as a "lifer" guitar, often comparing its heirloom quality to luxury items like a Rolex.
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Some owners report a mid scoop, making it suitable for singer-songwriter applications and providing a piano-like sound when played softly.
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Heavier and distinct from the D-28, the D-35 is favored by some users for folk music due to its unique tonal characteristics.
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Owners describe the D-35 as highly responsive, offering both subtle and powerful sound dynamics based on the player's technique.
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Comparisons
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Some users find the D-35 has richer tones for solo play, whereas the D-28 might be better for band settings due to its different tonal profile.
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Use cases and applications
Setup and maintenance
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A luthier may resolve high action issues by adjusting the high saddle and low neck angle commonly found on some D-35s.
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Regular use of humidifier packs during "case breaks" can maintain the guitar's sound, especially with heavier gauge strings.
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Regularly taking the tension off the strings and using humidifiers during case breaks is recommended to maintain the guitar's condition and sound quality.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 23 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this interview with Guitar World, David Gilmour's Martin D-35 is mentioned:
"David Gilmour is a renowned guitar collector. Over the years, with the help of his right-hand man, Phil Taylor, he has acquired such rare gems as a Gretsch White Falcon, a Gretsch Penguin, a Plexiglas Dan Armstrong, a '55 Fender Esquire, a Martin D-35 acoustic."
"I've had this guitar longer than any other. It cost me £900 in the early Eighties, which was a fortune back then. I wrote quite a few Smiths songs on this, including Well I Wonder and Cemetry Gates."
Source: www.smithsonguitar.com/2008/12/johnny-marrs-gear.html
In this photo and video you can see the Edge of U2 playing a Martin d-35 w the white binding
In the interview for Guitar Heroes magazine (May 1983 issue), David Gilmour mentioned that Pink Floyd used a Martin D-35 acoustic guitars in early 1970s, most likely sometime between 1970 and 1975: "At the beginning we used Levins, which were quite good guitars, a bit like Martins, made in Sweden or somewhere, then we moved onto Martin D-35s and things like that and now we tend to use Ovations mostly for recording and things."
The Martin D-35 dreadnought model is most recognizable by its three-piece back and double non parallel seam bracing that Martin introduced as a result of shortage of Brazilian rosewood in 1965. This allowed them to use up small pieces of wood that would have been normally considered scrap. The D-35s are nowadays made of East Indian rosewood (back and sides) with sitka spruce top, hardwood neck, and ebony bridge and fingerboard.
On the below picture is Roger Waters during recording sessions of the Obscured by Clouds album (1972), struming a Martin D-35.
In the photo for "After The Gold Rush," Neil Young can be seen using a Martin D-35 guitar, as evidenced by the image from Snap Galleries.
Dylan played Martin D-35 and Gibson J-200 In Concert At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1969.
Bruce Springsteen is seen with a Martin D-35 Acoustic guitar in a photo on the Acoustic Guitar Forum, where he is writing music.
According to this Music Radar article says "Rory’s ’68 Martin D-35 was used on tracks such as Just The Smile from his first solo album, and shows signs of age." It mentions that Rory used this guitar on Deuce, Live in Europe, and Rory Gallagher.
Album Usage
The Martin D-35 has been featured on the following albums:
After The Gold Rush (50th Anniversary)
Neil Young (2020)
The Promise / Among the Stars
Mike Pinder (2013)
Fome
Los Tres (1997)
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers (1996)
Obscured by Clouds
Pink Floyd (1972)
Live! In Europe (Remastered 2017)
Rory Gallagher (1972)
Deuce (Remastered 2017)
Rory Gallagher (1971)
Rory Gallagher (Remastered 2017)
Rory Gallagher (1971)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin D-35, it is most commonly used with the following gear.