NGD - Martin HD35

jdinco · #1 10-01-2023, 08:30 PM

I have to share this with those that will understand ! I have never had a nice dreadnaught, and after reading some of the praise here for the 28 and 35 series Martins, I ordered a HD35, thinking that was the sound I would like. It arrived about a week ago, factory fresh and emitting that wonderful rosewood smell. It was beautiful, great construction, setup is very low. I'll cut to the chase here. I LOVE this thing ! It sounds great played lightly or hard, setup is perfect for me and the tone is nicely balanced. It will fill the room with lovely overtones of music. It was a bit tight sounding at first but seems to be opening up with more bloom. Or the strings are breaking in, or a little of both. Either way it has improved. I'm mainly a strummer, so it fits my style better than most of my smaller guitars. It has totally upset the applecart when it comes to my other guitars, I've never had this happen before and I've had a lot of different guitars. I'm not sellin anything real soon, but I can see it coming. The only negative I can say is that I wish it had been offered in Ambertone. I'll try and add some pictures tomorrow....any other HD owners out there ?

ChrisE · #2 10-01-2023, 08:52 PM

I have an HD-28. I haven’t played and HD-35 before, but I know they look awesome.

b1j · #3 10-01-2023, 09:43 PM

I'm not an HD-35 owner, but maybe the next best thing. Love the herringbone, right? Also that three-piece back is a classic (like my Gurian, which is gorgeous).

But enough of the cosmetics. It's those 1/4" braces! I have only played a D-35, with no herringbone and non-scalloped (see below), but 1/4" and three-piece. I was most impressed. This was before I got my HD-28 –– which I jumped on due to its fantastic used price and condition.

I continue to marvel at the difference in gravitas available with the HD-28 compared with D-28s I've played (non-scalloped). I get a ton of bass from it, and that's with 5/16" bracing.

The top on your HD-35 must thrum beautifully with the thinner braces. Maybe a bit less top-end amplitude than the HD-28? But the 35 –– especially the HD-35 –– has got to be the pinnacle of tone subtlety in the "28/35" rosewood dread lineup, and the HD-35 is better looking than its D-35 sibling.

You say you're a strummer, and you can't go wrong with the HD-35; lots of sustain, right? But maybe you can try a little finger picking to bring out the full dynamic range of that very special instrument. Rosewood, dread, lightest build: it might qualify as Martin's most adaptable guitar.

You have a keeper there. Sounds like you already cherish it. Congratulations on acquiring such a gem.
_____________________

Spec details:

D-28: 5/16", non-scalloped
HD-28: 5/16", scalloped, herringbone
D-35: 1/4", non-scalloped, three-piece
HD-35: 1/4", scalloped, three-piece, herringbone

FOG01 · #4 10-01-2023, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdinco

I have to share this with those that will understand ! I have never had a nice dreadnaught, and after reading some of the praise here for the 28 and 35 series Martins, I ordered a HD35, thinking that was the sound I would like. It arrived about a week ago, factory fresh and emitting that wonderful rosewood smell. It was beautiful, great construction, setup is very low. I'll cut to the chase here. I LOVE this thing ! It sounds great played lightly or hard, setup is perfect for me and the tone is nicely balanced. It will fill the room with lovely overtones of music. It was a bit tight sounding at first but seems to be opening up with more bloom. Or the strings are breaking in, or a little of both. Either way it has improved. I'm mainly a strummer, so it fits my style better than most of my smaller guitars. It has totally upset the applecart when it comes to my other guitars, I've never had this happen before and I've had a lot of different guitars. I'm not sellin anything real soon, but I can see it coming. The only negative I can say is that I wish it had been offered in Ambertone. I'll try and add some pictures tomorrow....any other HD owners out there ?

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I'm coming up on my first anniversary with my HD-28 which I bought new and having just strummed along with a song tonight I I logged into the AGF with nearly the same sentiment. In my case there isn't a thing I'd change. It just plays and feels on a different level than what I had previously had... and very much enjoyed. Congrats on finding that guitar.

Inyo · #5 10-01-2023, 10:00 PM

Beaucoup congrats, indeed, on the acquisition of a great guitar. Lots of playing pleasure there, to be certain.

Glennwillow · #6 10-01-2023, 10:02 PM

Congratulations on your new HD-35! I am so glad you are happy with it! This is a wonderful guitar and also looks stunning. Good for you! Enjoy it for a lifetime!

- Glenn

NickZag · #7 10-02-2023, 07:55 AM

I’ve been trying to get my hands and ears on a HD-35. Congrats on your new guitar!

SFCRetired · #8 10-02-2023, 08:24 AM

You took a huge gamble, people either love or hate the D35/HD35. I'm glad to see you are in the first camp. There is something about scalloped bracing that makes a guitar sing. I guess that's why Martin has been doing it for many years, well mostly, and is what made them a household name.

Nymuso · #9 10-02-2023, 08:56 AM

In 2011 I heard that my local guitar shop had just gotten three new Martin dreads. I was hoping for a D-18 but it wasn't among them. What was there was an HD-35. Once I heard that bass and that sustain I was sold. It even came with three free lessons! OK, now ya got me!

martingitdave · #10 10-02-2023, 09:06 AM

I owned a reimagined HD-35 and it was mesmerizing with the overtones and undertones.

CarolinaGetaway · #11 10-02-2023, 10:09 AM

I have an HD-35; not just for flat-picking. it is an extraordinary guitar for finger-picking: rich and full -- well balanced and articulate. It has begun to displace my M-36 as my goto guitar.

jdinco · #12 10-02-2023, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolinaGetaway

I have an HD-35; not just for flat-picking. it is an extraordinary guitar for finger-picking: rich and full -- well balanced and articulate. It has begun to displace my M-36 as my goto guitar.

I sold my M36 about 6 months ago with thoughts of replacing it with a Dread. It worked out well. I have to admit I love that 3 piece back.

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I played D-18's and D-28's but no D/HD35's. There was one D28 that was good enough to put me over the edge and give me reason to order the 35. The D-18 was certainly no slouch, but just didn't do it for me.

martingitdave · #13 10-02-2023, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdinco

I sold my M36 about 6 months ago with thoughts of replacing it with a Dread. It worked out well. I have to admit I love that 3 piece back.

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I played D-18's and D-28's but no D/HD35's. There was one D28 that was good enough to put me over the edge and give me reason to order the 35. The D-18 was certainly no slouch, but just didn't do it for me.

I’m playing a DSS-17 for gigs as of late. First time I’m playing mahogany. I know what you mean. When you have the rosewood sound in your head, it’s hard to play a substitute.

mikealpine · #14 10-04-2023, 09:07 PM

I played an HD-35 at the factory a number of years back and it was awesome! I wanted to buy that one, right off the wall. I recently played one at a local music store and was a little concerned those rich overtones would overpower my singing, which was confirmed by someone I met at the store. Still, I love that sound and wish I could go back and play that older HD-35. Enjoy yours, that three-piece back always gets me!

jricc · #15 10-05-2023, 07:27 AM

Not an owner, but congrats on your new HD35, jdinco. Play it in good health!