Martin D-35S

$3,545.97 Price Tier: High-end

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Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

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We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 20, 2026.

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5.0 (3)

$3,545.97 4 available Used

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Average Price: $3,546

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Martin D-35S is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Martin D-35S is an acoustic guitar that stands as a testament to Martin’s commitment to tradition and quality. This steel-string acoustic guitar is particularly renowned for its distinctive three-piece back, a design choice that not only enhances the guitar's aesthetic appeal but also contributes to a richer, more resonant sound. Crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, the D-35S offers a balanced tonal profile that caters to both strummers and fingerstyle players.

What sets the D-35S apart is its 12-fret neck configuration, which provides a unique playing experience with a slightly different tonal output compared to its more common 14-fret counterparts. This design choice offers a more vintage feel, appealing to traditionalists and modern players alike. The ebony fingerboard and bridge ensure smooth playability, while the scalloped X-bracing enhances the guitar's projection and sustain.

Whether you're performing on stage or strumming in your living room, the Martin D-35S promises a dynamic range and clarity that makes it a versatile choice for various musical genres. Its craftsmanship and attention to detail reflect Martin's storied legacy, making it a valued addition to any musician's collection.

Key Features:

Solid Sitka spruce top
East Indian rosewood back and sides
Distinctive three-piece back design
12-fret neck configuration
Scalloped X-bracing
Ebony fingerboard and bridge
Vintage-inspired design with modern enhancements

Product specs

Brand	Martin
Model	D-35S
Finish	Natural
Year	1966 - 1994
Made In	United States
Categories	Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Rosewood
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Color Family	Natural
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Ebony
Model Family	Martin D-35
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Series	Martin Post-War Era
Sides Material	Rosewood
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Spruce

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the Martin D-35S?: The Martin D-35S is known for its rich, warm tone with a strong bass response, thanks to its rosewood back and sides. The spruce top adds clarity and brightness, making it ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking.
How does the Martin D-35S differ from the D-28?: The Martin D-35S features a three-piece back and lighter bracing, which enhances its bass response compared to the D-28. This results in a fuller sound with more pronounced low-end frequencies.
Is the Martin D-35S suitable for fingerstyle playing?: Yes, the Martin D-35S is well-suited for fingerstyle playing due to its responsive spruce top and balanced tone, which provides clarity and articulation across all strings.
What materials are used in the construction of the Martin D-35S?: The Martin D-35S features a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and an ebony fretboard. Its neck is made from mahogany, contributing to its durability and warm tone.
Does the Martin D-35S come with a built-in pickup?: No, the Martin D-35S does not come with a built-in pickup. It is a purely acoustic guitar, though external pickups can be added if amplification is needed.

Videos

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Acoustic Letter

Martin D-35 Review

Acoustic Letter

The Martin D35

Jon is just TOO LouD!!

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional voice for both flat picking and fingerstyle techniques
Thunders in the low range, sings in the high range
Distinctive wider neck enhances fingerstyle playability
Ideal for folk, bluegrass, and rock genres
Remarkably clean sound, even in vintage models
Masterpiece of design and craft from CF Martin

CONS

Wider neck may be challenging for some players initially

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D-35S.

Use cases and applications

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Some prefer the D-35 for solo performances due to its richer sound, while others favor the D-28 for band settings.
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The D-35 is praised for its piano-like quality when fingerpicked softly, emphasizing its suitability for singer-songwriter styles.
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User experience

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A 1973 D-35 owner replaced Grover tuners with Waverlies due to aging and performance issues.
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A long-term owner of a 1966 D-35 notes its enduring playability, having purchased it used in 1974 and still playing it daily.
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A 2016 D-35 owner found the guitar less appealing than an older Guitar Center Martin Custom D, suggesting variability in individual D-35s.
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It's reported that the D-35 might need "case breaks" with humidifier packs to maintain sound quality over time.
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Some users find the D-35 sounds muddy with old strings, highlighting the importance of regular string changes for optimal tone.
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Setup and maintenance

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Bridge placement should be verified with a 24-inch straight edge to ensure proper neck angle and intonation.
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A thin top can be checked by placing a light inside the guitar body in a dark room.
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Common issues include loose body binding and oversized replacement pickguards covering cracks beneath.
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Owners recommend checking for neck reset needs, as older D-35s lack adjustable truss rods.
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Some owners note the D-35 benefits significantly from a proper setup and humidity treatment to enhance playability and tone.
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It's noted that a high saddle and low neck angle can make the D-35 challenging to play without professional adjustment.
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Build quality

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Some 1970s D-35s might have bridge misplacement due to a worn jig, potentially affecting intonation.
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The D-35 was the last model to feature Brazilian rosewood, leading to its distinctive three-piece back design.
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Comparisons

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The D-35's lighter 1/4" bracing, similar to 00 size bracing, contributes to its unique bass and scooped mids compared to the D-18 and D-28.
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Compared to the D-28, the D-35 is often described as having more low and mid-range emphasis, making it a better fit for rhythm playing.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners suggest using D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings for a punchier rhythm sound, particularly in the 12-56 gauge.
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Critic Reviews

The Martin D 35S Acoustic Guitar - HubPages

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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mattxyzed

about 9 years ago

Classic Martin Sound

Great instrument for folk, bluegrass, and rock. Neck is perfect for fingerstyle playing. Big booming Sound.

Artist usage

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George Harrison

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

Verified via YouTube

Seeing Harrison playing this guitar on SNL in 1976 inspired me to purchase my first Martin, a standard D-35. Did not realize until a few years later that Harrison's was a special model of the Martin D-35, a D-35S that has the next joining the body at the 12th fret, not the 14th fret, and has a slotted head like many classical guitars.

Johnny Cash

Guitarist, Singer

The Highwaymen

Verified via Photo

he used this guitar in the johnny cash show

Isaac Guillory

Guitarist

The Cryan' Shames

Verified

Isaac Guillory's Martin D-35S, known as "Junior," was crafted by Martin in 1969 during the final weeks of using Brazilian Rosewood, and it served as his primary guitar for much of his career, as detailed in the source titled "Iconic Instruments - 'Junior' Isaac Guillory's 1969 Martin D35s."