Good video, but the reason the D-35 sounds different is not due to its back. It's due to its smaller, 1/4" bracing. It loosens the guitar up and gives it that deeper, bassier response.
I played two d28’s and two d35s and walked out of the music store with a d35 that has that perfect sound unbelievable how great this instrument really is !
Nice! Was the one you bought one of the few made with Brazilian in 1970, or was it a model from ‘69-‘68 that was still new in the store you bought it from?
Tim what would be your favorite Martin...I played many without knowing and without looking at the pricetag. D18 I liked the best it turned out. Strange eh? Now I am a picker.
I always figured it had to do with maximizing leftover wood. But had no idea about the embargo. Great history lesson! I own a 35 and it sounds and plays fantastic. Lucky to have such a quality and unique instrument.
From what very little I know of lutherie, having a three-piece back has pretty much no negative effects on the sound of a guitar, all else being equal when compared to a two-piece. Is this correct?
I sure do love mine. I was happy to tell you right after I made the purchase. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate how much you do for a double dipping dirt frog like me. Booyah!
The idea that the D-35's tonal signature is due to the 3 piece back is a widely repeated misconception. The real "secret sauce" is the lighter internal bracing.
Very interesting, thanks! Note that the D-35’s higher price could have been partly down to the additional decor, I.e., binding along the fretboard, absent on the D-28 etc. But yes, they are very handsome instruments!
I just bought a 1970 D12-35. The outer "wings" match the sides but the center piece is definitely a different grain pattern. I maintain the fantasy that part of it is Brazilian. This guitar's sound is like nothing I've ever heard.
@@TimGuitarLessons 😂 pretty funny, to be honest I think they both have strengths. I appreciate both manufacturers. I count myself blessed to own both a Martin Dread and a limited run cocobolo 914ce. Both are beautiful pieces of artwork.
It probably depends on why the person told you that... 10s are extremely light... maybe your guitar has some sort of structural damage, bridge lifting, top buckling, no saddle left to sand off to adjust action/set up etc and that's why the person said "don't play anything heavier than 10s"... maybe something like "if you use anything more than 10s then you'll make this problem worse" sort of advice. Without knowing anything about your guitar, I think the better advice would be "have a reputable luthier fix the X and then have them set it up whatever kinds of strings you want to on it" ... if nothing is wrong with your guitar, 12s should totally fine for a d35, regardless of the year.
Cool video, takamine makes a line of guitars with a 3 piece back, But its walnut and the and piece of quilted maple.. I just got the GD93 dreadnought I love it has a unique sound
Tim, interesting that they came up with the model to solve The Brazilian Rosewood problem but then only made it with Brazilian Rosewood through 1969. I think maybe a few 1970 models might have had Brazilian possibly, but I am not sure about that. I have a 1969 model with all three panels Brazilian. Thanks for the video!
I've always wanted a Brazilian 35... I think you're right about the 1970 models. There were definitely some that had a Brazilian wedge or Brazilian wings.
@@TimGuitarLessons so, are you wanting anonymity on your channel? I was hoping to see and hear some of your playing other than instruction. I didn’t know if you had a fb page or a band website/bio somewhere for public consumption? However, the mystery is a good hook.:)
Not necessarily anonymity as much as wanting the channel to be as focused on music as possible... Back when I first started this channel I remember thinking about how so many other guitar tutorial channels fail to capture teaching songs in a way that are accurate but instead teach some over simplified version of songs... with teachers who are always super duper excited at the beginning of each video with loud salutations and a puppy like eagerness to hold the viewer's attention at the start of the video... That isn't my natural personality at all... so I just kind of decided to accept and embrace where I am on the other end of the spectrum. I intend my lessons to show hopeful guitarists how to play the song with accuracy, taught as straight forward as possible, without wasting any of their time.
@@TimGuitarLessons you definitely found something on the other end of the spectrum. You saw an instructional void and knew how to fill it for sure. I cannot imagine someone happening by one of your videos and not becoming a subscriber then and there. Congratulations on your success here. Are you from North Carolina by chance? Regardless, i feel confident in saying that your subscribers want to know more about you, your background, your musical journey etc. I hope you will treat us to a more personal video that makes an introduction to the person behind the instruction. Thanks again for the replies.
I have a Martin d35, 1975. I was told that a you can't put 12sgge strings on it. It's to heavy on the d35 is this true I've been playing with 10s on but I feel it would sound more stronger with 12s. I was told from the guy who sold it to me. I was Ant understand why I can't put 12s on. Also the truss rod on the d35 are not all the way down the neck just at the top end. Thanks would love some advise on the d35
Thanks for reply no everything on the guitar is really fine but he said d35s font take heavier strings I found that quite odd. I just needed to know is this true on a 1975 d35 thanks
I mean... maybe there's something unique to 1975 models that I'm unfamiliar with, but I agree it sounds quite odd. I played 13s on mine for 2 decades and eventually went to 12s just because I got tired of mediums. How long have you had the guitar? My suspicion is that the seller told you what he did because he knew that the tension of 12s on it would quickly reveal a structural flaw in the guitar and so he put 10s on it to hide it.
@@TimGuitarLessons Same here. I bought a D-35 new back in '77 and ran 13s for years with no issues. I went to 12s also because I was doing more intricate fingerstyle music and wanted slightly softer strings. Also, on older Martins the truss rod does go all the way down the neck, they just aren't adjustable. There is no screw to turn inside the soundhole so some may believe the truss rod isn't full length. Seems like Claudia Pini was given some incorrect information.
I have a 2005 model I bought new and have always used 12s on it with no problem. I have even used 13s on it. I switched back to 12s after I put a LR Baggs anthem pick up in it.
In addition to the 3 piece back, The D35 has lighter back bracing than a D28, and 1/4” top bracing vs 5/16” in the D28. This results in a bassier tone. The D35 also has a bound neck.
I had one, a 72 D35 and sold it during hard times in 1992 for $1000.00. Original case too, but it was the best sounding ,deep bass guitar I have ever played. It rattled my chest.
I have a 1970. The center panel is Brazilian A few 1970 stragglers made it through I’ve seen a 1970 with the 2 outside panels Brazilian. But not all three
I purchased a 2005 d-35 new and have got to listen to it mature. I also have a hd-28 that don't get the playing time the d-35 gets. Both are beautiful guitars in playability and tone but the d-35 gets played most.
Nice story and history on the Matin D-35 ! I went into a guitar shop focused mainly on a upgrade from a Martin 1998 DM to a Martin D-18, D-28, Gibson J-45, or a Guild D-55. There was another gentleman in there playing guitars also. I was listening to him play some D-28's. Then I spoke to him about guitars. He told me to give the Martin HD-35 a try as he owned one and spoke very well of it. He owned an assortment of Martin guitar's through the years. When I played the HD-35 I was first struck by it beauty of design. The deep base tone and long sustaining clear crisp resonation was wonderful as I played this guitar ! Priced at $3599.99. I have more guitar's I want to play and listen to yet. Have not found a new Guild D-55 to play up in WI. yet. I must say the D-35 us one fine guitar and you could not go wrong owning and playing one. Thank you very much for your video content ! I enjoyed your video very much ! Tc
Very interesting, Tim, thanks for sharing! I was just reading on some guitar forum that the D35 is slightly less projective than the D28, giving it more of an enveloping quality to the player. Great guitars!
@@TimGuitarLessons "Bob's your uncle" is British slang for having favorable treatment. "In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase 'Bob's your uncle' was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as 'Uncle Bob'."
Correct... as the restrictions on Brazilian rosewood set in, Martin wanted to capitalize on supply they already had on hand. The 3 piece back allowed them to repurpose wood that was just shy of making 2 a piece back.
Was going to say the same thing. He said no one really remembers who came up with the 3 piece back idea. I doubt it was a computer guy named Bob Johnson. And they didn't just use scrap wood. They took bookmatched pieces that had small anomalies that could be used in a 3 piece back by excluding the anomaly. And this guitar model was certainly no accident. There were several prototypes made in different configurations until they hit on the one that was what they were looking for. They did their due diligence and that's why it's still a staple in their lineup today
I bought a new D-35 in early 70s, as I recall $650 more or less. Sold it to Scotty Wiseman couple of years later. Your hidden history is common knowledge in guitar circles.
@@TimGuitarLessons Supposedly because CFM didn’t have pieces of RW big enough to only use two pieces for the backs. So they used three smaller pieces to make the backs. That’s the way I heard the story years ago. Nothing went to waste at CFM. Even the led pencils were used 100%. Those Germans are still resourceful. Love your presentation.
I have a 1970 D-35 that I have have been told is mostly Brazilian rosewood. The center block is very different looking and I was told that is Indian rosewood. It is my favorite acoustic I have ever played.
Good video, but the reason the D-35 sounds different is not due to its back. It's due to its smaller, 1/4" bracing. It loosens the guitar up and gives it that deeper, bassier response.
please keep making these this is my favorite music channel on youtube
Thanks Tyler!
Very cool video. My only guitar happens to be a D 35. When my grandpa passed, I was allowed to pick one item of his, and picked the Martin.
Do you know what year the 35 is?
Tim I believe it’s a 1985
Nice! That wood on Martins really starts to open up nice after all those decades
The history is fantastic, but the photos added along the way makes it perfect!
Thanks JT! Glad you found it enjoyable
I played two d28’s and two d35s and walked out of the music store with a d35 that has that perfect sound unbelievable how great this instrument really is !
I definitely love a D35!
Bought one new in 1970 Still playing that beauty today! Unique and sweet. Brazilian Rosewood.
Nice! Was the one you bought one of the few made with Brazilian in 1970, or was it a model from ‘69-‘68 that was still new in the store you bought it from?
Tim what would be your favorite Martin...I played many without knowing and without looking at the pricetag. D18 I liked the best it turned out. Strange eh? Now I am a picker.
I've never owned an 18 but have lately been wanting one... I think my favorite model Martin is actually the D35/HD35
I always figured it had to do with maximizing leftover wood. But had no idea about the embargo. Great history lesson! I own a 35 and it sounds and plays fantastic. Lucky to have such a quality and unique instrument.
Thanks for the comment!
From what very little I know of lutherie, having a three-piece back has pretty much no negative effects on the sound of a guitar, all else being equal when compared to a two-piece. Is this correct?
I sure do love mine. I was happy to tell you right after I made the purchase. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate how much you do for a double dipping dirt frog like me. Booyah!
I really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing your interesting research in such a clever way.
Thanks so much Mary! I'm really glad you enjoyed the little history lesson!
Cool video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
The idea that the D-35's tonal signature is due to the 3 piece back is a widely repeated misconception. The real "secret sauce" is the lighter internal bracing.
I've got an 83 model. Braces have been heavily scalloped. Big sound
Definitely a big sound
The Martin Sheen pic was hilarious! Subscribed my man!
Very interesting, thanks! Note that the D-35’s higher price could have been partly down to the additional decor, I.e., binding along the fretboard, absent on the D-28 etc. But yes, they are very handsome instruments!
Thanks for the comment!
I just passed my Martin HD-2832 to my new guitar player grandson. I’ll hang on to my D-35 a while to play and maybe pass to him later on 😉
I love the idea of newer generations getting a great worn in instrument to learn on… very nice of you!
What does Martin Shean have to do with it?
I just bought a 1970 D12-35. The outer "wings" match the sides but the center piece is definitely a different grain pattern. I maintain the fantasy that part of it is Brazilian. This guitar's sound is like nothing I've ever heard.
interesting video, I have a HD 35 and it sounds great, however it is the "lesser" guitar to my Cocobolo 914 Taylor (still a funny jab though)
Hahahaha I’m glad someone caught it...
@@TimGuitarLessons 😂 pretty funny, to be honest I think they both have strengths. I appreciate both manufacturers. I count myself blessed to own both a Martin Dread and a limited run cocobolo 914ce. Both are beautiful pieces of artwork.
If you can find one, see what opinion you form after one minute aboard a Martin D-35 S. Possibly life-changing!
[Tyneside, England.]
I have a Martin d3t 1975 iam told I should not put 12s on only 10sis this true.
It probably depends on why the person told you that... 10s are extremely light... maybe your guitar has some sort of structural damage, bridge lifting, top buckling, no saddle left to sand off to adjust action/set up etc and that's why the person said "don't play anything heavier than 10s"... maybe something like "if you use anything more than 10s then you'll make this problem worse" sort of advice. Without knowing anything about your guitar, I think the better advice would be "have a reputable luthier fix the X and then have them set it up whatever kinds of strings you want to on it" ... if nothing is wrong with your guitar, 12s should totally fine for a d35, regardless of the year.
Cool video, takamine makes a line of guitars with a 3 piece back, But its walnut and the and piece of quilted maple.. I just got the GD93 dreadnought I love it has a unique sound
Nice!
Tim, interesting that they came up with the model to solve The Brazilian Rosewood problem but then only made it with Brazilian Rosewood through 1969. I think maybe a few 1970 models might have had Brazilian possibly, but I am not sure about that. I have a 1969 model with all three panels Brazilian. Thanks for the video!
I've always wanted a Brazilian 35... I think you're right about the 1970 models. There were definitely some that had a Brazilian wedge or Brazilian wings.
@@TimGuitarLessons so, are you wanting anonymity on your channel? I was hoping to see and hear some of your playing other than instruction. I didn’t know if you had a fb page or a band website/bio somewhere for public consumption? However, the mystery is a good hook.:)
Not necessarily anonymity as much as wanting the channel to be as focused on music as possible... Back when I first started this channel I remember thinking about how so many other guitar tutorial channels fail to capture teaching songs in a way that are accurate but instead teach some over simplified version of songs... with teachers who are always super duper excited at the beginning of each video with loud salutations and a puppy like eagerness to hold the viewer's attention at the start of the video... That isn't my natural personality at all... so I just kind of decided to accept and embrace where I am on the other end of the spectrum. I intend my lessons to show hopeful guitarists how to play the song with accuracy, taught as straight forward as possible, without wasting any of their time.
@@TimGuitarLessons you definitely found something on the other end of the spectrum. You saw an instructional void and knew how to fill it for sure. I cannot imagine someone happening by one of your videos and not becoming a subscriber then and there. Congratulations on your success here. Are you from North Carolina by chance? Regardless, i feel confident in saying that your subscribers want to know more about you, your background, your musical journey etc. I hope you will treat us to a more personal video that makes an introduction to the person behind the instruction. Thanks again for the replies.
I didn't think Martin Co. did much with computors in the 60's. Was there even any? I didn't think so but I could be wrong.
I have a Martin d35, 1975. I was told that a you can't put 12sgge strings on it. It's to heavy on the d35 is this true I've been playing with 10s on but I feel it would sound more stronger with 12s. I was told from the guy who sold it to me. I was Ant understand why I can't put 12s on. Also the truss rod on the d35 are not all the way down the neck just at the top end. Thanks would love some advise on the d35
Thanks for reply no everything on the guitar is really fine but he said d35s font take heavier strings I found that quite odd. I just needed to know is this true on a 1975 d35 thanks
He said d35 don't take heavier strings only use 10s it's very odd
I mean... maybe there's something unique to 1975 models that I'm unfamiliar with, but I agree it sounds quite odd. I played 13s on mine for 2 decades and eventually went to 12s just because I got tired of mediums. How long have you had the guitar? My suspicion is that the seller told you what he did because he knew that the tension of 12s on it would quickly reveal a structural flaw in the guitar and so he put 10s on it to hide it.
@@TimGuitarLessons Same here. I bought a D-35 new back in '77 and ran 13s for years with no issues. I went to 12s also because I was doing more intricate fingerstyle music and wanted slightly softer strings. Also, on older Martins the truss rod does go all the way down the neck, they just aren't adjustable. There is no screw to turn inside the soundhole so some may believe the truss rod isn't full length. Seems like Claudia Pini was given some incorrect information.
I have a 2005 model I bought new and have always used 12s on it with no problem. I have even used 13s on it. I switched back to 12s after I put a LR Baggs anthem pick up in it.
In addition to the 3 piece back, The D35 has lighter back bracing than a D28, and 1/4” top bracing vs 5/16” in the D28. This results in a bassier tone. The D35 also has a bound neck.
Yes, I was going to mention the bracing too. It probably has more influence on the sound than the 3 piece back does.
I had one, a 72 D35 and sold it during hard times in 1992 for $1000.00. Original case too, but it was the best sounding ,deep bass guitar I have ever played. It rattled my chest.
I have a 1970. The center panel is Brazilian
A few 1970 stragglers made it through
I’ve seen a 1970 with the 2 outside panels Brazilian. But not all three
Just bought my very first Martin, a 1976 D-35, and i couldnt be happier. This thing RINGS when she talks. She commands the room, no doubt!
Thanks for the comment! And, I bet it does command the room!
I purchased a 2005 d-35 new and have got to listen to it mature. I also have a hd-28 that don't get the playing time the d-35 gets. Both are beautiful guitars in playability and tone but the d-35 gets played most.
I've got a 2004 that I bought new. It's wonderful.
Nice story and history on the Matin D-35 ! I went into a guitar shop focused mainly on a upgrade from a Martin 1998 DM to a Martin D-18, D-28, Gibson J-45, or a Guild D-55. There was another gentleman in there playing guitars also. I was listening to him play some D-28's. Then I spoke to him about guitars. He told me to give the Martin HD-35 a try as he owned one and spoke very well of it. He owned an assortment of Martin guitar's through the years. When I played the HD-35 I was first struck by it beauty of design. The deep base tone and long sustaining clear crisp resonation was wonderful as I played this guitar ! Priced at $3599.99. I have more guitar's I want to play and listen to yet. Have not found a new Guild D-55 to play up in WI. yet. I must say the D-35 us one fine guitar and you could not go wrong owning and playing one. Thank you very much for your video content ! I enjoyed your video very much ! Tc
Very interesting, Tim, thanks for sharing! I was just reading on some guitar forum that the D35 is slightly less projective than the D28, giving it more of an enveloping quality to the player. Great guitars!
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed the information! And I’d definitely agree with that characterization of a 35s sound
Alot more work in a D35 hence the price difference.
Ok the cut to Martin Sheen legit made me lol
Hahaha glad you caught that
I’m glad you picked that bob johnson
They sold it for more...because it took more work to manufacture.
Bob’s my uncle!
Hahaha I don’t know if you’re joking or not... is he really your uncle?!?
@@TimGuitarLessons "Bob's your uncle" is British slang for having favorable treatment. "In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase 'Bob's your uncle' was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as 'Uncle Bob'."
wasn't the three piece back a way not to waste scrap wood.
Correct... as the restrictions on Brazilian rosewood set in, Martin wanted to capitalize on supply they already had on hand. The 3 piece back allowed them to repurpose wood that was just shy of making 2 a piece back.
I always assumed it had to do with the environment...
Yeah…Chris Martin tells a slightly different story. Somehow, I think a Martin may know better.
Was going to say the same thing. He said no one really remembers who came up with the 3 piece back idea. I doubt it was a computer guy named Bob Johnson. And they didn't just use scrap wood. They took bookmatched pieces that had small anomalies that could be used in a 3 piece back by excluding the anomaly. And this guitar model was certainly no accident. There were several prototypes made in different configurations until they hit on the one that was what they were looking for. They did their due diligence and that's why it's still a staple in their lineup today
I bought a new D-35 in early 70s, as I recall $650 more or less. Sold it to Scotty Wiseman couple of years later. Your hidden history is common knowledge in guitar circles.
No doubt, but good guitar circles keep as hidden as the history!
Genius marketing.
Definitely
@@TimGuitarLessons Supposedly because CFM didn’t have pieces of RW big enough to only use two pieces for the backs. So they used three smaller pieces to make the backs. That’s the way I heard the story years ago. Nothing went to waste at CFM. Even the led pencils were used 100%. Those Germans are still resourceful. Love your presentation.
The old work benches were made of Brazilian rosewood.@@stevec.1802
I have a 1970 D-35 that I have have been told is mostly Brazilian rosewood. The center block is very different looking and I was told that is Indian rosewood. It is my favorite acoustic I have ever played.
I think its all Indian.