Martin D-35 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Natural Reviews

Have an old lawsuit era Aria 9400 for the past 45 years. Needed work done on it but really didn't want to have anyone doing work on it ( still plays great)
So I broke down and got this D35. Been dreaming of one for 10 years. Absolutely stunning guitar. Set up perfectly and sustains for days! Absolutely love it!!

Can't say how much this Martin D35 Ambertone means to me. It's heavy bass strings are for my blues. And bright tones are for happy times. Just can't live without it now.

My first Martin guitar. I started playing guitar on a stella harmony in 1974. I've come a long way.
The Martin D-35 is an amazing instrument. From the first chord, the first song, the sound frequency is there. Each note in every chord rings out loud and clear. Definitely worth the investment. Very hard to put this guitar down.
Thank you Greg at Sweetwater for your constant, reliable assistance.

First, I'm a 40 plus year guitar player. I own and play a lot of nice guitars. I've been fortunate.
At 63 I decided it was time to buy a nice accoustic guitar. I had heard over the decades that Martin was a favorite amongst many recording artists. Examples of my favorites would be Neil Young and Johnny Cash.
So, I got in touch with my Sweetwater pal Greg and we talked guitars. Greg knows my likes and has become a musical friend.
I compared the D-28 to the D-35 and went with the D-35 because of the neck binding and the difference in bracing.
The first chord I hit amazed me. Clarity.The range in the frequency between lows, mids, and highs is so precise. The neck plays effortlessly. The guitar really demands to be played and is near impossible to put down...and I'm an electric guitar player.
So my advice to those looking is if you can afford it, and you want something that is flexible and sounds incredible, this price range of Martin guitars will be hard to beat.

Always wanted an Martin and chose D35. No regrets. Sounds absolutely Amazing.

I had a terrific experience both selling my D-18 and then purchasing my Martin D-35.
This was all thanks to my sales engineer Ed Nystrom who helped me navigate everything and made it all so much easier.
I love my D-35 and the buyer of my D-18 loves his. It was all a win-win experience.
Thank you again Ed for all your help.

I've always wanted to own a true standard series Martin and have been reading the way major manufacturers are starting to use streaked ebony and soon to be mixed Sitka tops , so Shawn I saw this one online I took the plunge no regrets , in one week of having this guitar I have already grown as a player singer and have never enjoyed playing more than ever . Thank you Martin for making such a beautiful guitar and thank you Sweetwater for the quick turn around .

Got this YAMAHA back in '78...copy of the D 35. Long story short, sounds better then D 35 all day long. Find one and try it....

First off I would never buy an acoustic guitar on line. They are too personal but I did it anyway. I bought a Taylor and I already own a "budget" one too. I was so disappointed I went to a bunch of local brick and mortar stores that were having a 15% off sale on everything and tried every Taylor they had thinking I got a bum guitar. Well I didn't it's just the Taylor sound. My cheapo sounds way fuller than they new ones that cost me 5X as much. Even my tone deaf wife noticed and said the cheap one sounds better. (love you hon!)

Anyway I started playing Martins and knew I made a mistake almost immediately. They sound natural like you expect an acoustic to sound. They are not as consistent as Taylors so I had to drive around a bit checking every D series I could get my paws on. Finally ended up in Boston and played a D18 (which I almost bought at another store because their D35 had a bad neck) and it was really good but I was not completely sold. Then I picked up the D35 and it was like heavens gates opened and a white light shined upon me and this guitar! OK a little overboard but really it was an instant connection. The sound is full warm and every tone is there crystal clear and loud. The action was smooth and the neck was perfect for my small hands. I just could not put it down. In thinking there MAY be something better I almost left but I am glad I didn't. It is home with me now and after I put an LR Baggs Anthem in it, it will cost me the same as the Taylor 324CE Builders Edition that I bought on line and it sounds light years better to my ears.

Oh by the way, when I got home I played the Taylor for my wife and then I played the same thing on the D35. My wifes comment " Oh, now I get it" Finally after 40 plus years of playing I own a real Martin. Try and wipe the smile off my face :)

Reimagined D-35 sound is not the same as the one made before 2018. Forward shifted 1/4" non-scalloped bracing and the material thickness change (lighter) made D-35 sing. The sound that makes you please comes out of this box. Well balanced, rich bass, focused high tones, and more. You won't find this fantastic sound from D-28. Beside the quality of sound, it looks much better. White binding around the finger board, black and white strip inlays on the sides and back and front which well matches with white bindings.

Like someone else said, the low, mids, and top end -- fantastic. This is my second D-35 as I had to sell one. I bought a late model. Soon I'll determine exactly when it was made. Just being busy. I took a chance and ordered another one. Nothing beats the sound and playability like a D series. I love my D-35; just fabulous sound. Like angels singing. The D-35 IMO sounds like a guitar is supposed to sound. Shout out to Zac Terhune - the best tech/advisor there is. Sweetwater has a winning formula. Fair prices and a dedicated sales/tech/advisor. Sweetwater has very good warranties. Shipping is flawless. All around a fantastic formula.

I bought mine after loads of research. I toyed with the idea of getting the 18 or 28 but who am I kidding. The 3 piece back and the 1/4 forward bracing made all the difference. What a beautiful sounding Instrument that I will pass on to my son and his son. If your considering a D35, I would suggest based on my experience to go ahead and purchase it. You deserve it! Ian did a very good job communicating with me through the purchase and everything I have read and watched about the craftsmanship really showed when I opened the case. This guitar elevates my playing and my own personal expectations. Life is short, get the guitar.

I have been playing my Martin D-35 since early 70's. From day one this guitar has performed beautifully. The tone is superior to any acoustic 6 string that I have played. From the first note played it makes me smile. There was a time I put playing down for a few years. Remarkably when I picked up my D35 it was still in tune just waiting to be played, so I do. I have heard arguments about the D35 vs D28 and honestly aside from the back & the machine screws being enclosed I dont think there is much difference. Well done CF Martin , beautiful instrument.

So if you're lucky enough to live near a store that stocks a lot of Martin's, I dare you to find something better than the D35 in their line. D28's are the most popular, but they sound kind of flat and boring in comparison. This thing is loud, and just has that sound that makes you go "Oh THAT'S what I've been looking for!". If you aren't aware, the main difference is thing thing is braced like a 000 which frees up the top to move like earthquake. If you want that Americana, Folk, Indie, Rock acoustic thing, this is probably the one to get. I have a 40 year old D35 at home, and I've played a few of the new ones and frankly I think the stuff they're making now, it just needs to break in for a few years. Trust me, once you hear a D35, you wont want any other Martin Dreadnought. Okay maybe a D18... but that's an entirely different animal.

I bought my D-35P back in 1991. "P" standing for Low Profile Neck. It is a WONDERFUL guitar. It has aged beautifully and the sound is AMAZING! At one point in time the D-35 outsold the Famous D-28. It has AWESOME projection and tone. It's a very balanced guitar sound wise with just a touch more on the bass side. If you are looking for a GREAT sounding guitar, look no further. This guitar will fit in great with any music genre whether it be Rock, Country, Bluegrass, it will fit the bill. I highly recommend this guitar to anyone's collection or one and only guitar. You CANNOT go wrong with a CF MARTIN Guitar. It's a GREAT investment!

Over it's long history, CF Martin & Co has, without question, introduced the world to some of the finest acoustic instruments ever built and played - one of those instruments is THE D-35. I've owned and played at least 15 different Martin models over the last 50 years and IMO from it's signature white bound neck and 3 piece back nothing else (except for the discontinued 1 Series D3R) on the Martin roster sounds like a Martin D-35. It has a full, deep, vibrant lower end; a beautifully balanced mid range; and a top end that is distinctly Martin. The D-35 has only been around for over a half century (introduced in '65 so Doc Watson was obviously playing a different Martin model when another reviewer saw and heard him back in '59) but it's always been a unique instrument with a lot history built in over a relatively short period of time. And with a few modern updates incorporated by Martin in recent years it's still a guitar well worth checking out. Even if you don't like it for some reason, at least you can say you picked up and played a Martin D-35! Haven't bought a guitar from Sweetwater yet, but when I do it's going to be another D-35.

first of all i'm sure sweetwater is a very good co. to deal with. I saw a show in Augusta maine back in 1959. it was Doc Williams and the border riders and the show was fantastic. he was playing a d-35 martin guitar. and I play guitar and I knew at that time I would somehow buy a d-35. In 1974 I bought my d-35 guitar from a co. in Mass. I only play for frends and get togather. But I love the sound of this guitar and play it often. I'm 83 and still love partying . You all have a merry Christmas Wayne

This is my second big purchase from sweetwater, I"m not sure if I"m more impressed with the guitar or the customer service from AlexRodriguez, he definitely knows his gear and will cheat you right!!
I bought the D35 as a demo( if you are interested in a demo go for it) every little mark that is on a demo is pictured!! I saved almost $300 because of 2 very small dings on the back!! I also had this guitar set up before it left( also recommended) this thing has the best action and playability that I"ve experienced in an acoustic guitar!! And the SOUND is will let"s just say it"s 100% a Martin, so happy with this purchase. I would say ROCK ON...... But......... BLUEGRASS ON!!!

Purchased a 2018 D35 from Sweetwater at the great price... the guitar sound so great!!!! It makes my larrivee D40R sound so awful...... I recommend Sweetwater anytime....

I wasn't sure about spending the amount of money for a guitar that cost this much. I have never spent this much money on a guitar. To say that I'm not rich is an understatement. But they had the 0% interest financing so I went for it. This is one of the finest guitars I have ever played. The depth of the sound is amazing. I have an Eastman E10ss and an Eastman E20d. Both of these guitars are really great guitars. I will never sell either one of them. But I have to say the D35 just goes to another level. I know most people can not afford to pay this much for a guitar. But man this thing sounds so good. I cant imagine anything to much better without having to spend a small fortune. I had my guitar shop here in town put a K@K pure mini pick up in it. All they carry is pretty much Taylor and a few other brands of guitars. So all the guys who worked there were comparing it to a bunch of high end Taylors. When I went in to pick up the guitar they were all telling me that they favored the Martin over every single Taylor that they have in the store. Thanks to Sweetwater and a shout out to Mark Chapman too. I have nothing but good things to say about both.