Vintage D-35

[hattrck24]

i was at guitar center and i played a Vintage D-35 and i was wondering what the difference between a Vintage D-35 and regular D-35 was. Is it just cosmetic or are they structurally different? The tag didnt say that it was used so im pretty sure it was a brand new guitar. Any knowledge is good cuz im in the process of buying a new guitar as a christmas present to myself and i like the D-35 alot

[jeffro]

The only real amazing difference is in prewar martins. If it was made before WW2 chances are it was made with Brazillian Rosewood, which is now one of the rarest and most sought after tonewoods. Other than that, because the wood is a bit more dried out it may have better tone than an out of the box guitar.

[taylordb]

Actually there are some differences in the "vintage" models from the normal production models. I'm not exactly sure about the vintage d-35 you are speaking about becaue Martin does not list it as one that they produce (so no specs are available)....are you sure it was a d-35? That being said, one of the things that is typically different for the vintage models is that the top bracing is different....the bracing is shifted towards the sound hole more on the vintage models. This makes the soundboard a little more free to vibrate. This gives it a louder, clearer tone (IMO). There are other differences, but I'm not too sure about them. I think the neck profile is different as well.

[MrMister612]

I know all about martins........

But they started making D-35's in the mid 60's. Switched to indian rosewood from brazilian in 1970 as with all martins, and started using large bridgplates in the 70's. Went back to small bridgeplates in early 80's. The bracing has never changed on a d-35, and really I dont think anything has since the mid 80's. (large bridgeplates are generally frowned upon now, but it really is a guitar by guitar evaluation for tone) So that is kind of the brief history of d-35's.

I'm not sure what you mean by a new vintage d-35 though. I know they make an HD-35........but I don't think they make a D-35V.

[hattrck24]

i am not 100% possitive the guitar is new its just that the price tag dindt say it was a used guitar, and there were other guitars in the room with price tags that said used. so mayb its a mistake with the tag or something.

[hattrck24]

i am not 100% possitive the guitar is new its just that the price tag dindt say it was a used guitar, and there were other guitars in the room with price tags that said used. so mayb its a mistake with the tag or something.