Since 1965, the Martin D-35 has offered a different sound and vibe in the world of rosewood dreadnoughts. Its distinctive three-piece back and bound Ebony fingerboard set it apart visually from other Martin models. But it's the expressive, quarter-inch bracing under the hood that give the D-35 the refined, cutting tone that has inspired generations of players, from Johnny Cash to Seth Avett. The D-35 is a versatile guitar you won't want to put down.

This D-35 sports a stunning 1933 Ambertone sunburst top finish. As we expect from a good Martin dreadnought, its tone is robust and powerful. But relative to other Martin dreads in the shop, this D-35 has more focused, shimmering top end. There's still strong mid-range presence and bass content to round out the guitar's overall sound, but the D-35 is a different flavor. Rich, articulate tone that cuts!

The D-35 traditionally has lighter 1/4" bracing, so it responds a little faster than other dreadnoughts. In 2025, Martin updated the Standard Series spec sheet to have Golden Era specs, so this D-35 Ambertone was built with 1/4" bracing that is the "GE Non-Scalloped Profile." Since the braces are thinner, they're lightweight so they don't need to scalloped to produce a fat sound. As you put it through the paces, this D-35 highlights the nuances of your playing. All-in-all, this Martin is an expressive instrument that offers a slightly different flavor from your typical dreadnought. It seems to do everything well.

• Body: 14-Fret Dreadnought
• Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
• Top: Spruce
• Top Finish: 1933 Ambertone sunburst
• Back & Sides: East Indian Rosewood w/ Three-Piece Back
• Bracing: Forward-Shifted X Brace, 1/4″ GE Non-Scalloped
• Neck Profile: GE Modified Low Ova with High-Performance Taper
• Nut: 1-3/4″ Bone
• Saddle: Bone, 2-5/32″ spacing
• Fingerboard: Solid Ebony w/ Antique White binding
• Bridge: Solid Ebony GE Modern Belly
• Tuning Machines: Grover Rotomatic