1971 Martin D-35 – Natural – Original Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
The D-35 arrived in 1965 as Martin's answer to a practical problem — Brazilian rosewood was becoming scarce and expensive, and the wider bookmatched backs the D-28 required were getting hard to source consistently. Martin's solution was elegant: a three-piece back that let them use narrower pieces, with a center wedge joining the two outer panels. What they discovered in the process was that the design had its own voice — the three-piece back, combined with lighter OOO-style bracing on both top and back, produced a sound that was distinctly its own. Bigger and warmer in the low end than a D-28, with a softness in the attack and a bloom in the sustain that players either fall in love with immediately or take a little longer to appreciate. By 1971 the Brazilian rosewood of the earliest D-35s had given way to Indian rosewood on virtually all production, and this guitar is almost certainly one of those — Indian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge. Fifty-plus years of that combination playing together is a big part of why vintage Martins sound the way they do.
This one sounds exactly the way a great D-35 is supposed to sound — huge warm bass, punchy mids, and sparkly trebles that sit on top without ever getting brittle or harsh. It is a genuinely impressive instrument to play.
Structurally this guitar is in fantastic shape — no repaired cracks, no issues, nothing hiding. The neck is fairly straight with some relief, a touch more than ideal but well within normal parameters and easily addressed. The bridge has been thinned down modestly, and there is between 2/32 and 3/32 of saddle above the bridge with enough break angle remaining, which means there is room to lower the action if you prefer a lighter setup. As it sits the action is comfortable — below bluegrass territory but a touch above modern factory spec, which many players find is actually the sweet spot for a dreadnought this size. The body and neck are in such good shape that this guitar would be an excellent candidate for a neck reset somewhere down the road if very low action is a priority, but it is absolutely not necessary at this point. Frets are in very good shape with minor wear that does not affect playability. The pickguard appears to have been replaced at some point. Finish wear at the bindings and a few small bumps and bruises here and there, all consistent with a well-loved instrument of this age — nothing dramatic, nothing structural.
- Make: Martin
- Model: D-35
- Year: 1971
- Country of origin: USA (Nazareth, PA)
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce
- Back and sides: Solid East Indian rosewood, three-piece back
- Bracing: Scalloped X-brace, OOO-style top and back bracing
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Ebony, dot inlays
- Bridge: Ebony
- Scale length: 25.4"
- Nut width: 1 11/16"
- Finish: Natural gloss lacquer
- Pickguard: Replacement (non-original)
- Tuners: Grover Rotomatics
- Modifications: Bridge thinned modestly, pickguard replaced
- Condition: Used Very Good – minor fret wear, finish wear at bindings, small bumps and bruises consistent with age, no repaired cracks or structural issues
- Setup notes: Action slightly above modern factory spec, room to lower; neck reset not currently needed but guitar is an excellent candidate long term
- Includes: Original Martin hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
