Some quick spec’s
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back/Sides: Solid East Indian Rosewood (3-piece back)
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard/Bridge: Ebony
- Finish: Polished Gloss (though the consensus seems to be that it’s nitro lacquer)
What I like:
Sound/Tone
It’s classic/iconic Martin all the way. Punchy and thick, yet balanced. This guitar really shines when you dig in with your pick, but the tone is very soft and delicate when you play finger style. Overall the tone is very warm but retains clarity. It’s probably best just to watch the video above where I gush on and on about how much I like the tone, but then actually play it a bit so you can hear for yourself.
Feel
Some guitars feel right, and some feel wrong. This one definitely feels right. Strum a chord and the whole guitar comes alive. My particular D-35 is set up just right for my playing style. The action is fairly low, but no buzzing when I strum it.
Construction/Quality
Martin builds the D-XX series to last. There are Martins around there are over 100 years old.
Looks
As the numbers go higher in the D-series, Martin puts more bling on the guitars. So the D-35 is more ornate than the D-28 (which basically means binding up the neck plus a few other details). In my opinion, the D-35 looks classic without being presumptuous. I like the non-cutaway look on an acoustic, and the 3-piece back is pretty sweet.
The Smell
Seriously. Smell one.
What I don’t Like
The back of the neck is kind of sticky
I’ve always preferred more of a satin finish, and the ‘polished gloss’ gets a bit sticky for my taste.
Hey Brian,
I really appreciate your website and your instruction, incredibly helpful. In addition, I dig the review of the D-35, certainly a beautiful guitar…however the price tag is steep. Do you have advice on more modestly priced guitars for worship. (Specifically, I’ve been researching and have heard really good reviews on the Seagull SWS series).
Thanks again,
Brett
Hey Brett – thanks for commenting!
I do have a couple recommendations for more affordable guitars. My first question would be your price range, but here’s what I always recommend:
Epiphone Masterbuilt AJ-500M (or AJ-500ME). These are great guitars. I don’t own one, but I’ve played several of them in different shops, and I’ve always been impressed. The AJ-500M doesn’t have electronics in it (which means you get to pick out your own, which is a good thing), and the AJ-500ME has electronics. I’ve never heard it plugged in, so I can’t vouch for the electronics in it. New, the 500M goes for about $500 and the ME goes for $550 – just looking at Musician’s Friend. If you look for a used on (I’d recommend that as well), you could probably get something for around $350 or so. I’d love to have one as a back-up, if I already didn’t have a back-up 🙂
I’ve also heard good things about Seagulls. I’ve played one or two and I really liked them – I remember thinking they seemed to be an excellent value. If you can, be sure and play a guitar before buying – even if you buy used, try and go to a shop and play a new one of the model you’re looking for.
Thanks for the advice, it’s very much appreciated. I’ll check with the local guitar shops and see if anyone’s got one of these Epiphones handy. I’m currently playing a Martin DX1 and I’ve been shopping other guitars because, while I love the bass\depth of this guitar, there’s not a lot of mid range. Conversely, I feel like the Taylors I’ve played sound a little “tinny” though I’ve only played the inexpensive models. I was very impressed with a lesser expensive Seagull model and that’s lead me to research their more expensive line. I don’t have a set budget, but I’ve been looking at guitars up to (Lord willing) the $1000 range.
Your site and your instruction are super awesome!! Thanks for all your hard work and your dedication to helping us improve our playing, helping us learn more and and ultimately worship the King all the better!!
Thanks, Brett!
If you’re budget is more like $1000, that opens up a lot more options, and way higher quality than that Epiphone – you could probably get 3 of those Epi’s for close to 1K.
The first thing I’d play is a Martin DC-16gte. It actually has characteristics of Martin and Taylor sound-wise (both in a really good way), and it feels really good, too. Plus it’s got the Aura electronics, which are pretty awesome. They’re about $1600 new, but if you look hard and be patient, I’ll bet you could find one for around $1000 used somewhere.
The DC-16gte was the guitar I was going to buy before I found the D-35.
Hey Brian,
I had an opportunity to play the DC-16 and the DC-35. WOW!! Both are beautiful and amazing instruments, the difference between these and the $300 to $600 range guitars are more dramatic than I’d understood. Playing both spoiled just about every other guitar in the store. I think I’m going to take your advice and look for either a used DC-16, or perhaps wait a bit, save up and get a new one. In the meantime, I’ll see what the local guitar shop tech can do with my current guitar.
Thanks again for the recommendation
Ha – sorry to pass along an expensive bug! In my experience, if you have the opportunity to save up a bit and get what you really want, you’ll be happier in the end. On the other hand, if spending that much money on a guitar is not an option, have a cheaper guitar is far better than no guitar at all 🙂
I’ve got an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE. It’s the dreadnaught cutaway with the E-Sonic 2 preamp and pickup system. I bought brand new for a little over $600 after sales tax. I absolutely LOVE this guitar. I’ve played a lot of different guitars in Guitar Center over the last 8 months or so, and other than a $2500 Martin HD-28, I’ve not found one I like the sound of better. I threw a set of Elixer Nanoweb Light gauge strings on there and man that guitar sounds great. It has that Martin bassy “punch” to it that Brian says he likes so much. Honestly, to me (fairly untrained ear), unplugged it sounds a LOT like a mid to high range Martin. Plugged in… the E-Sonic 2 preamp is OKAY. It sounds good when using the undersaddle pickup, but it also has a magnetic pickup at the base of the neck that I’m not a huge fan of. It just doesn’t suit my style of playing (more strumming, less fingerpicking; if you fingerpick you could probably get some really cool sounds out of it) so I end up not using it and sticking to the undersaddle. Which is fine except now I’ve got a pickup in the way and it makes it difficult to get a Feedback Buster in and out.
Overall, is a Masterbilt going to match up against a $2500 Martin? Probably not. But from what I’ve looked at and played, it can certainly compete with Martins up to twice or more it’s price. And I’m with Brian, I like the punchy bassy sound, rather than the lighter sound of the Taylors so I’m not going to compare Masterbilt to Taylor… two completely different sounds in my opinion.
And after typing all of that, I just realized that the original post was from 2012, and Brett has probably already found his dream guitar… Oh well, I’ll post it anyway. Maybe it will help somebody else out who is looking for sub-$1000 guitar.
Thanks Paul! I actually really like the Epiphone Masterbuilt stuff – I think they are great guitars. In fact, I almost bought that very model not too long ago.
I’m going to retract my statement about the Esonic 2 preamp. I was having pretty bad feedback issues the last couple of weeks using only the undersaddle, so I spent 15 minutes or so and got the undersaddle and nanomag blended 50/50 and dialed my Acoustic amp so that it sounded right. Using the nanomag to pick up half of the sound completely got rid of the feedback (magnetic pickup vs. undersadddle I’m guessing), and I have no need for the feedback buster anymore. 🙂 It just took a little time to get dialed in.
Cool – thanks Paul! I’ve found over the years that with a bit of tweaking, lots of different gear can be made to sound great. Just have to learn and understand how everything works and how to use it in your own environment.
Hey Brian;
Thank you so much for the review of the D35 Martin. I too like Martin guitars. I have 3 of them, A D35, acoustic electric, D16GT and a DM acoustic electric. The DM is very nice and not too expensive ($1000.00) and has an on-board a Fishman PreFix Pro preamp. The D35 has a thinline pickup w/o preamp, but it works just fine. I also have a D28 (1991) coming soon. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your videos and use some of the songs at the church where I play with 3 other people (Mustard Seed Quartet).
God bless you
Rod
@Chico mon Thanks! I wouldn’t mind having 2 more Martins myself 🙂
Hey Brian, I also have a Martin D35!! I’m just wondering what kind of strings do you use for your Martin D35?
Hey Andrew! I use Elixir’s – I think the custom light gauge.
Brian, you are a great resource for us old retired guys who want to learn worship guitar.. thank you.
I do like Breedlove USA made acoustics — Concert body style.
One of my pastors has a 20+ year old Martin that sounds great despite dings & scratches everywhere.
Have you every playe Ibanez guitar? Wondering if you had any thoughts on it.
Hi Sean, never really played an Ibanez so I can’t really comment on them. I’m sure they make some really nice stuff (and some not so nice stuff). It’s the same with most guitar makers.
What kind of strings do you use?
Usually I use Elixir strings on acoustic.
Hi Brian
I have a Gibson J-35 and a Taylor 322ce, I love the shorter scale on my Gibson I have it set up with a nice low action it has a pretty cool tone and is my favourite and main workhorse guitar out of the 2. But I’m not a fan of the LR Baggs Element pickup in it, it sounds like you were saying in the video very quacky and not as natural as my Taylor with the ES 2 system.
I just can’t get a natural nice sounding good quality tone from the Baggs ….
I’m seriously considering putting a K & K pickup into my J- 35 my only concern is not having a volume control on the guitar. But I guess that’s no big deal when playing throu the PA in church. My only small gripe with my J-35 is it doesn’t sound great with a capo..
I mostly use my Taylor 322ce when I’m singing or I want a more natural, ear pleasing tone, its a nice sounding guitar but not as comfortable to play as the J-35 as the action is a fair bit higher.
Thanks for all your video’s. reviews and website its a really great resource for getting chord charts etc for our Church worship
Keep up the good work,
bless you
Hey Richard – typically with the K&K pickups you’ll need to run them through a pre-amp. I use an Ultrasound DI Plus, but LR Baggs makes some great ones as well (K&K has one that is well reviewed also). A lot of pickups have this pre-amp built in, which is where you get control over volume, eq, etc. With a system like the K&K, I control volume/gain and EQ with the pre-amp I use.
You could also look into LR Bagg’s new Anthem system – it utilizes and undersaddle transducer as well as the piezo pickup for a more natural tone. The K&K Pure Mini system is an undersaddle transducer, and I think the Taylor system uses them as well, but I could be wrong on that one. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice Brian I’ll probably go with a K&K mini and a pre amp I really like your tone and I’ve watched a few video comparisons on YouTube the K&K mini sounds great
Thanks again
I am new to your site and have enjoyed what I have seen so far. You are the first person I have come across you plays the “G” chord with the pinky finger, I was taught this as a child student by my instructor. My question is, I noticed you have a Fender tee shirt on in the video, I have a beginner Fender, what is your opinion on this brand?
Hi Dennis – I love Fender guitars! Like any company, they make some that are awesome (I mean you can spend $5k+ on a custom shop Fender), and some that aren’t very good, so you just have to do some research and find one that speaks to you.
Love this review! I’m looking at the D35e Retro model. Have you ever played your against a D28?
Hi Alex – I’ve never really played them back to back, but I do know they sound a bit different. The bracing on the D35 allows the top to vibrate a bit more, which makes it a louder guitar than the D-28 and a different low end response.
I am a wide trying to buy a good acoustic electric for my husband. He plays a lot, and goes through the cheap ones I have purchased pretty quickly. I bought him a 2005 gibson les Paul supreme in February, but he’s needing a solid acoustic electric. I’m looking at the Martin D 28 or the epiphone DR500 . I’ve listened to both and I have noticed a little difference, but since I don’t play My self.. It’s hard to figure out. I know you pretty much get what you pay for. Any suggestions would be great
Hi Ashley – the D28 is a way better guitar, but it’s also more expensive. You get what you pay for, though.
What year is your D35? I’ve been looking at some from the 70’s and 80’s. Do you know of any years to avoid?
Hi Dave – I think mine is from around 2003. I’m not sure there are really any years to avoid – Martins are very consistent.
I just purchased a 2022 D35 and am going through your lessons. I guess I want to be you when I grown up :D! Thanks for posting the videos, Brian – I’m looking forward to really diving in!