Better Guitar

player opinions

Name: Lindsay Tomasic
Band: -----
Model Year: 1976
Price Paid: $600
Performance
This guitar has out-shined any acoustic guitar that I have played in both recording studios and live performance. To me, having this guitar is like owning a grand piano. I would not trade it for the world. ALWAYS my first choice in the studio.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
This guitar is the most rich sounding guitar on the planet!
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
I have had a few problems, but partly my fault. The guitar was left in the trunk after a gig in Upper Michigan in the 70’s (duh) and the case was opened prior to the guitar getting to room temperature. The top finish wound up with hundreds of hair-line cracks. Interestingly, this has given an even richer sound!
Construction Rating: 9

Name: Peter J Curry
Band: -----
Model Year: 1967
Price Paid: Too low
Performance
This Brazilian beauty is the loudest, best-balanced guitar I’ve ever played or heard (I call it my church organ). The neck is the width of a 12-string, which makes it ideal for fingerpicking. This early version has the open classical guitar-type tuners which have never given me a moment’s trouble and look better to my eye than the later enclosed tuners they used on this model. As a 12-fret guitar, the body is 1" taller between the sound hole and the top of the shoulders than on a standard Martin dreadnought, which greatly enhances its sound-producing capacity. And its sloped shoulders make it extremely comfortable to play (as well as giving it a classic look.) I’ve owned them all — a pre-war D-28, D-41, D-35, etc. This is the King of the Martins!
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
Awesome.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
The back center panel has shifted out of alignment with the other two panels over the years, but I’ve had it stabilized. And I’ve had a few top and back cracks repaired. All of which I consider normal. But the neck has remained perfectly true. And I love the little things like the rounded-off neck binding and the low, flat-top frets — all of which makes it extremely comfortable to play, left-hand-wise (compared to, say, any new top of the line Gibson.)
Construction Rating: 8

Name: Steve Barker
Band: -----
Model Year: 1972
Price Paid: $500
Performance
The wider neck of the S model makes it great for fingerpickers.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
This guitar is the best sounding guitar I have ever played, from all aspects. It is second to none and sounds awesome from behind it when you play. It’s even better to be in front of it when someone else plays. Recordings of studio and live performances whether miked or Barcus berry pickup are pure pro quality. I met Don McLean in the mid 70’s and had him autograph my guitar. He loved the sound so much he was playing one in concert the next year. Other guitarists are always blown away by the full spectrum of rich sound, not a hint of tinny or boomy.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
I played this guitar professionally in steakhouse acoustic bands 4 sets a night, 3 or 4 nights a week for 2 years straight when it was new in 72-73 and again for another 3 year period from 79-81. Always held its tuning with the piano. Capo up and the intonation remains perfect even now after 30 years. I’m on my second Martin hardshell case. Had the pickguard raise up a little 10 years ago. Probably because there were no margaritas spilling on it anymore. Finish looks pristine (except for the signatures — Gordon Lightfoot and Dave Mason too, as well as lesser known local legends.) Does get a very fine oxidation haze on the finish that just wipes off.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Marc E. Berg
Band: -----
Model Year: 1972
Price Paid: $400, original purchaser in 1972
Performance
One of the richest sounding axes I have ever come across. I am a fingerpicker in the Leo Kottke style and the wide neck works wonderfully. Mine has the classical style 12 frets with the slotted headstock. Its been a great friend for over 30 years and lasted longer than my marriage. If you are able to locate one of these miracle boxes, play it, you’ll be hooked.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
Mine is an unadulterated box. No electric of any kind.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
Made like a Mercedes. In the 30+ years of ownership I had only one slight problem. The center piece of the 3 piece back made a slight squeaking sound if pressure was applied. Took it to an authorized Martin luthier and it was fixed free. Otherwise, its as smooth as glass.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Brack Key
Band: -----
Model Year: 1969
Price Paid: Trade
Performance
It’s awesome. The wide neck is easier to play on than most guitars.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
This thing has excellent resonance, as do most Martin Dreadnoughts.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
This guitar is in excellent condition for how old it is. I don’t think the 33 year old finish is holding up to regular use though.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Paul Hopkins
Band: -----
Model Year: 1975
Price Paid: $575 (1975)
Performance
I have never seen a guitar I would trade my D-35S for. The wide neck makes it extremely easy to use (for both hands). And it truly has a balanced tone — with both clear high tones and booming bass tones. I just went to a music store and strummed everything from $1200 Taylors to a $5500 new Martin. None of them even came close.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The tone of my D-35S is beyond description. You would have to hear it.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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Construction Rating: 10