Martin D35 - Advice Please..

IvisonGuitars

I've just spied a very roadworn 1973 Martin D35. 

I don't really know much about Martin acoustics at all really. Without trying (but failing!) not to sound like a knob now, I played Johnny Cash's D35 in the studio earlier this year and I loved it. That classic country sound that i'm after.

If all goes to plan, I'll be trying it Tuesday.

I just wondered if there were any years that should be avoided or when/if Martin had a duff period? Anything to be weary of on a vintage Martin?

Cheers!

richardhomer

I've seen the one I suspect you're referring to on Facebook & Twitter today - it's described as 'player' grade - so it sounds like it may have had some repairs. Cracks in the top between the bridge & scratchplate are common (though not a concern if properly repairs).

I believe there was a period when the bridges were wrongly positioned - causing intonation issues - so check that. From memory - I'm pretty sure it was a 70s issue.

Martins generally seem more prone to needing neck resets than other brands - check that the saddle isn't unusually low to compensate. This is a temporary cure and robs the guitar of volume, due to the reduced break-angle.

I played an early 70s D18 in Frailers a while back and it sounded stunning. Hope the D35 meets with your approval - it looks a nice guitar.

IvisonGuitars

richardhomer said:

I've seen the one I suspect you're referring to on Facebook & Twitter today - it's described as 'player' grade - so it sounds like it may have had some repairs. Cracks in the top between the bridge & scratchplate are common (though not a concern if properly repairs).

I believe there was a period when the bridges were wrongly positioned - causing intonation issues - so check that.

Martins generally seem more prone to needing neck resets than other brands - check that the saddle isn't unusually low to compensate. This is a temporary cure and robs the guitar of volume, due to the reduced break-angle.

I played an early 70s D18 in Frailers a while back and it sounded stunning. Hope the D35 meets with your approval - it looks a nice guitar.

Thanks Rich, that's great info! Yes, it's the one at AMP. Chris says it's just player wear, no breaks so i'm interested to see it.

pjf

70s Martins generally get quite a bad press, I can't speak from experience and there will of course be exceptions to the rule, but it's not considered a desirable production decade. Probably as close as it comes to their "duff period" if they have one, unfortunately. Still worth checking out, by the sounds of it.

RandallFlagg

Doesn't Lee Anderton have a 70s D35? It sounds great in this Ariel Posen video.

FF to 49m 13s:

ICBM

I've got a '71 D12-35 12-string which is wonderful, but it does have a slight intonation problem - you can't tune it with a tuner and have it sound in tune, you need to do it by ear and 'sweeten' it manually. It's quite a faff but it really does sound great when it's just right. I actually think it's because the *nut* is out of position, not the bridge - it's much less of a problem if you capo it and tune from there, which is OK since I keep it tuned down a tone and capo at the second for normal playing anyway.