Martin D35 Questions

[arbutusq]

I am seriously considering a Martin D35 as my next guitar and was wondering a few things.

How do they hold their volume in a bluegrass jam? I've played and recorded with one but didn't get a sense of its overall volume and cutting power? Most of the recording I did was finger style and miked leads so no reall boomy stuff.

Also does the lighter (1/4) bracing on the D35 lead to more problems down the road than the heavier braced D28?

[L20A]

I have had my D-35 for 30 years.
The neck is as straight as the day I bought it.
I have had a refert done once about 6 years ago.
I use it in a Bluegrass Jam every week.
I can hear it very well.
It keeps up with other Martins like D-28s and HD-28s.

No issues with the braces but the white binding on the lower bout
is starting to pull away from the body wood, to the point that I can feel a difference in the binding and the wood.
Martin said it's covered under warranty if and when it gets bad enough to have it repared.

I have used medium gauge strings on it all it's life.
I love it's tone and volume.
I wouldn't trade it for a D-28 or HD-28.

[Clifton]

I just sold my 1988 D-35, that thing was certainly loud enough to keep up with the rest. The only thing I found about the D-35 is that it got a little muddy when it was played very aggressively - but still very loud.

My D-35 also had issues with the binding coming loose at the top and bottom of the narrowest waist point. I never got it fixed, but it crossed my mind a couple of times.

[HHP]

If you are playing leads and rhythm, you might give a closer look at the scalloped brace 18 and 28 models. They tend to be more articulate in the trebles and mids. The 35's have plenty of bass.

[arbutusq]

I am looking used with a somewhat limited budget. Whatever I see on Craigslist or classifieds here I'll check out. I'd love an HD28 or D18v if one comes up in my range.