C. F. Martin Style 35 Guitar


The Style 35 first appeared in 1965 when Martin was having trouble sourcing Brazilian Rosewood in widths sufficient for the backs of it's popular D-28 Dreadnaught guitars.

The D-35 is also distinguished by a bound fingerboard to help attract customers as a more "premium" guitar.


1/4" bracing gave the D-35 a richer, more mellow sound, which helped make the D-35 the "go-to" guitar for singer-songwriters in the 1970's.






Martin D-35 Guitar
 


1965 Martin D-35




Like the Style 28 of the era, the top border, inspired by the F series arch top Martins, is comprised of straight lines.  The D-28 and D-35 are typically 6 ply borders, to provide a black innermost ply to contrast with the light natural top, as opposed to the 7 ply F series borders designed to contrast with a dark shaded top.







The D-35 was introduced in 1965, a time of great change to Martin guitars:

1964

last year for routine use of hide glue.

1965

return to short saddles, previously used before 1918

1966

change from "tortoise" to black pick guard

change from "Ivoroid" to "Boltaron" purflings

change from small maple to small rosewood bridge plate

last year of mitered fingerboard binding

1969

change to larger rosewood bridge plate

change from Brazilian to East Indian rosewood












Martin 1966 D-35





The corners of the fingerboard binding was mitered until August, 1966.

This 1966 D-35 was built in the last year to have a tortoise pickguard and small maple bridge plate.