Martin D35s, is the centerpiece Brazilian?

[Wade Hampton]

Dorre, given the color of the center panel it could be either Brazilian or Indian rosewood. There isn’t enough resolution in the photos for me to be absolutely certain either way. It is just within the realm of possibility that in early 1970 Martin still had some small pieces of Brazilian rosewood left and this guitar got one, but these photos do not establish that beyond any shadow of a doubt.

As to why Martin used the “S” suffix on its 12 fret guitars, for years the common wisdom was that it stood for “slotted,” in reference to the slotted headstocks these models had. That was what got printed and reprinted in the guitar magazines for years.

But then maybe twenty years ago some researchers did some deep diving into old Martin paperwork from the late 1920’s, when the company first started building 14 fret models to meet the growing public demand.

Initially, ALL 14 fret models were designated as “Orchestra Models,” whether they were the then-brand new OM model or a 14 fret dreadnought. Under this new organizational structure, the 12 fret versions of Martin’s product line that the company had been building all along were “Standard” models.

So the “S” in a D-35S’s model nomenclature doesn’t mean “slotted” or “slothead” or “special,” it stands for “standard.”

Part of the reason that this was so quickly forgotten is that the “Orchestral Models” and “Standard Models” organizational principle was unworkably clunky, even for Martin. So it wasn’t used for very long at all.

But Martin being Martin, once their 12 fret models started getting designated with an “S” suffix they’ve remained that way, even though the initial organizational principle that created the suffix was long, long forgotten.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by Dorre

... recently acquired a Martin D35s from the early 1970... the serial number of my guitar : 257342...

I acquired my D-35 new on Labor Day 1969 with serial number 246519. I suppose it was made in mid-1969 of Brazilian rosewood, as the 1969 serial number range is 241926-256003.
https://www.martinguitar.com/about/m...number-lookup/
A picture of its back is attached.

"By late 1969, the change to Indian rosewood was complete, with D–21 #254498 having the distinction of being the first official Indian rosewood guitar."
https://www.martinguitar.com/about/m...dnought-story/

[Birchtop]

Simply Gorgeous!

[John Arnold]

The center wedge is Indian rosewood, due to the grain structure. This guitar has a 1 7/8" nut, which was the standard nut width for most 12 fret Martins back then. It is not a custom order, though the 12 fretters were built in limited numbers.

[Wade Hampton]

Highly experienced and knowledgeable luthier and tonewood expert John Arnold wrote:

Originally Posted by John Arnold

The center wedge is Indian rosewood, due to the grain structure.

Thanks, John, that’s what I was thinking, too, but since I lack your level of expertise I was reluctant to unequivocally pronounce it to be Indian rosewood.


whm

[Dorre]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

The center wedge is Indian rosewood, due to the grain structure. This guitar has a 1 7/8" nut, which was the standard nut width for most 12 fret Martins back then. It is not a custom order, though the 12 fretters were built in limited numbers.

Thanks! Actually John, the nut is 1-13/16 on this one

[colins]

Can't tell if it is EIR or BRW but it looks great, and I love that sunburst top!

You've also shown me that Gumtree is not just Australian. Maybe it should be called Oaktree in the UK

[John Arnold]

I'll have to backtrack on this one. Dorre emailed me a much clearer photo, and the wedge is Brazilian.

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

The center wedge is Indian rosewood, due to the grain structure. This guitar has a 1 7/8" nut, which was the standard nut width for most 12 fret Martins back then. It is not a custom order, though the 12 fretters were built in limited numbers.

Is this in reference to the OP's D-35 in Post #1 or my D-35 in Post #17?
Mine has 14 frets. Is its center wedge also Indian rosewood?

[Mike Shipman]

Hi Dorre, that is a wonderful looking D35s, I’ve not seen many with that sunburst, in fact the last one I saw similar to yours was the one 5hat prompted me to get one and that was Norman Blake’s from a recording in the late 60’s with his wife and a fiddle player, gear guitar.
I git hold of a 74 D35s with a plain top, but it looks great and sounds even better.
Have fun with yours.
Cheers, Mike.
Ps funnily enough I nearly bought a D45 from a lady in Malvern some 25+ years ago but it played and sounded really naff!