Selling this wonderful guitar, a prime example of a D-35 with "the" Martin sound that is stunning both acoustically and plugged in.

I had spend years searching for that holy grail guitar that could satisfy me on several levels :

- great acoustic sound

- great plugged in sound

- great playability

- great looks

This is the D-35e RETRO. It sings like heavens. Sounds like an old friend... The D-35 are the best guitars to accompany a voice, and this one is even better with its European Spruce top wihch gives it a warmer tone.

The woods are stunning, look at the grain on the European spruce top, and the shades of the Indian Rosewood. Don't forget the black of the Ebony ! Only the finest woods, with the best construction from Nazareth, USA.

The neck profile is the most comfortable that I have ever played, even my bassist is in love with it. Seriously, this guitar made me ditch my vintage Martins that didn't sound any better than the RETRO, but were significantly harder to play !

BUT if you are a gigging musician, then the star of the show is the discontinued Fishman AURA F1+ system, which is the best and most convenient Fishman has ever produced. It is a shame really that they discontinued it for simpler systems... With only 2 knobs it gives you full control of the sound :

- choice of 9 different IRs from a vintage D-35 captured with high-end mics in a high-end studio

- blend of the IR

- Bass Mid Treble EQ for the pickup portion of the sound

- Bass Mid Treble EQ for each IR

- Anti feedback system

- Volume, Tuner/mute, Phase

- Visible indicator for low battery (!!!!)

- Best battery changing on the planet (!!!!)

There really is no need for an external EQ with this system, just grab a quality DI and you are good to go !

Then, why I am selling such a wonderous guitar? I have acquired its "deluxe" version, the un-get-at-able 50th Anniversary Limited Edition and sadly can't justify keeping both. The 50th Anniversary is so gorgeous, it will stay. It doesn't have the F1+ system but I have a spare and will fit that one inside instead of the Aura VT that doesn't even show me when my battery needs a change.

The Retro has been played and is marvellously open. It is in great shape, and shows signs of play, few dings here and there in the finish. I have tried to take as many pictures as I could, so please refer to the pictures.

Comes in its Martin Deluxe case, that I didn't use much and is in great condition except for the handle whose thin finish wears off a bit. And with its original paperworks.