Martin 1971 D-35-12

[msbedard]

Just have a quick question… would Martin still have been using Brazilian Rosewood back and sides for their 1971 D-35 12 strings?

[Tube Sound]

Doubtful. Phased out in 1969 and would be unusual in ‘70 or ‘71. I did hear cult rumours of 1970 D-35’s with a Brazilian center wedge on the back but I’ve never seen one. Here is a pic of a ‘71-12 currently for sale. Looks like EIR, imo.

https://photos.imageevent.com/carsan...ay/12461c.jpeg

[Glennwillow]

Hi Michael,

It's possible for BRW to have been used, possibly in one of the 3 back pieces, for example, but I agree that by 1971 it's unlikely.

I once played a 1969 D-35-12 at Dusty Strings in Seattle. I drove over there specifically to play it, but I found it a lot harder to play than my Guild D212 so did not buy it. I was told that '69 D35-12 used BRW and it sure looked like it. I own a 1967 D-35 with BRW, so I am very familiar with the look. I sometimes wonder if I should have bought that guitar. It was reasonably priced ($3500) and had just had a neck reset.

- Glenn

[msbedard]

Thanks for the feedback. I had been looking at one locally but it went off the market a few hours ago. It was offered by a brick an mortar store that I’ve done multiple trades with but I swear it looked much more like EIR than Brazilian to me.

[Slothead56]

I bought a ‘68 or ‘69 D 12-35 years ago for around $800. It was a cosmetic mess but sang like an angel. I didn’t know that much about guitars at the time (even though I’;d been playing for almost 20 years). I thought it was eventually going to need some bridge work (and I needed every dime I could get my hands on due to a divorce) so I sold it for about what I paid for it.

I sure wish I’d kept it. Even investing a ton of cash into it would have been financially sound and did I mention it sang like an angel?