Comments on D-28 & D-35

Sacdubro · February 1st, 2008, 02:46 PM

I've read some of the recent posts here regarding Martin HD-28s. However, I haven't seem much on the D-35. I've recently decided that I need a Dred to pair with my 000 12Fret RW/Adi. The problem I'm having is that I've yet been in a store with a Standard D-28. I've been able to play a D-35, HD-28V at a GC to A/B and both were great examples. The HD had more projection but, the 35 was no slouch either. I don't really need the addional volume that HD provides since I play at home for myself. My question is how does the 28 compare with the 35 if you were looking for a flat picking/rhythm strummer?

bradpdx · February 1st, 2008, 04:50 PM

I use an HD-28 that I just love - really powerful, great flatpicking guitar with loads of projection. The regular D-28 (current model) doesn't have the scalloped braces and sounds more "constrained" to me most of the time, but it is still a fine guitar.

The D-35 doesn't get the respect it should in flatpicking circles, but I have always liked them very much. They have thinner braces than the 28s and usually sound fairly "forward". When I bought my HD-28 in 1997, I very nearly chose a D-35 for that reason.

D-35s usually (though not always) have more bass than D-28s due to the 3 piece back and thinner braces. To my ear they are usually louder, and I know many fingerpickers who love the D-35.

If I had to choose between a regular D-28 and a D-35, I'd pick the 35.

johnnykf · February 1st, 2008, 05:19 PM

Tried a D18 Golden Era today absolutely incredible. Lots of projection, as much as a D28H and a really crisp tone. Was a lot nicer than the regular D18 that was no slouch either but the price explains it. I'm not sure if the Golden Era's have adjustable truss rods as they are based on 30's designs, anyone know for sure?

imwjl · February 1st, 2008, 05:36 PM

The best description I can give about the D-18s, D-28s, HDs and D-35s that show up at my bluegrass assoc events would be I think the HDs have some twang, boom and shimmer where a D is more like a darker sounding D-18.

Fresh strings and a stout pick and they're all winners.

FWIW: I think a mint 2007 HD-28 was just bumped in the Acoustic Guitar Forum classifieds. I don't see that sort of inventory in the classifieds here, and UMGF has a lot of good looking acoustics in their classifieds.

Sacdubro · February 1st, 2008, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the responses I'm still wanting to try a D-28. But, I must say the 35 has left a stong impression.

Johnnykf, the D-18GE does have a Truss Rod to go with that Red Spruce (Adirondack) top. It's a real Cannon!

johnnykf · February 1st, 2008, 08:30 PM

Sac, is that a fixed non adjustable truss rod or a regular adjustable one on the D18GE?

RickG501 · February 1st, 2008, 10:29 PM

Was the golden era the one with the T-bar truss rod, I heard they were so rigid that they don't need adjustment......hearsay at best I don't really know I'm just throwin' it out there YMMV.

D-28, D-35, HD28? When I was looking to buy a Martin (I'd longed for one since the '70's) in 1999 I finally had the dough. I'd played all three off and on for about 2wks, and had fully decided on the D-35. The D-28 was great, till ya tried the HD-28 playing and listening to the owner of the shop the HD won hands down. However for about $400 less the D-35 sounded and played very similar to the HD, it had a deeper bass response than the D-28 by far and what I thought was more articulate and complex at the same time. And it had a bound fret board and a gorgous three piece back. I decided to buy the D-35.

The day I went to get it the showed me a used guitar he'd just acquired, a Jumbo JC-40. It was a great box really good bass response and it had the 45 head stock, abalone rosette, abalone hexagon fretboard inlays, much more rare of a Martin, it was a 1996 model, and a superior smooth action. I him and hawed around there for an hour and a half back and forth, as I'd really gotten my heart set on the D-35, but I took the jumbo home. I still love the thing, I'm glad I got it and it only cost me $1900.

I couldn't be any happier, I figure if I can ever afford another one I can always find another D-35 or HD-28 to fill that GAS. IMHO, for a brand new guitar it would be a HD or a D-35. Just my .05

Sacdubro · February 1st, 2008, 11:52 PM

Rick, that's a beautiful JC-40 nice choice and a rare model in deed. Thanks for the recomendations, I'll keep looking. I'm in no hurry, want to find the right one.

Johnny, I'm not completely sure about this but I believe all of the current GE's have an adjustable Truss Rod. If you email Martin's Customer Service they'll give you the answer.

Buck@r00 · February 2nd, 2008, 10:20 PM

The D-35 has lighter bracing (1/4" vs. 5/8") than a D-28. It tends to add more bass. You end up in a similar comparison of scalloped vs. straight bracing. I have a straight braced D-28 while my son has a scalloped braced D-18V. The scalloped braced guitar sounds GREAT in the living room or when you're playing by yourself. You can feel the bass in your chest. However, when you play in a band or any other group situation the sound gets totally lost. The straight bracing of the standard D-28 allows the sound to really "cut through".

Also if you planning to do any recording, you usually end up EQing out that extra bass sound from the scalloped guitars. They tend to sound "muddy". Again, the straight bracing sounds more clear.

Steffey · June 9th, 2008, 03:38 AM

I thinkt the current D-35s are among the best sounding Martins on the market right now, along with the HD-28s. The difference in tone is a result of the lighter top bracing on the 35 and the scalloped bracing on the HD-28.

As far as flat picking goes, you can check out the glorious videos on YouTube of John Fahey playing a D-35. Really, though, I think all Martins can handle all musical situations well: they're just flat out fantastic acoustic instruments! Ultimately, it's the player and the player's relationship with the guitar that matters. The style comes along with the complex package as time goes by. I "upgraded" from a terrific D-16GT that, after eight years of heavy play, had opened up beautifully and had a marvelous mahogony projection and presence to it. I'll miss that guitar -- it was my first Martin -- but the 35 was love at first sight, sound and spirit. I suspect it will be with me for the duration. It seems that once you're at this level of Martin craftmanship, you just can't make a bad choice.

PK · June 9th, 2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck@r00

The D-35 has lighter bracing (1/4" vs. 5/8") than a D-28.

Not to split hairs, but the D28's bracing is 5/16 not 5/8. That steeny doesn't restrain, but tightens the tone and the D28 is a bit more punchy in the mids. FWIW, I'm literally in the process of swapping my HD-28 for a D28. After 14 years of playing the HD I've decided I prefer the D28.

PK

BAW4742 · June 9th, 2008, 07:41 AM

I'm not real well versed in Martin's terminology but isn't the big difference between the D-18 and D-28/35 wood?

I thought that 28/35s were always Rosewood sides and backs and the D-18 was Mahogany. I know there are differences in bracing and such but I thought the main difference came from the tonewoods.

bradpdx · June 9th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAW4742

I'm not real well versed in Martin's terminology but isn't the big difference between the D-18 and D-28/35 wood?

I thought that 28/35s were always Rosewood sides and backs and the D-18 was Mahogany. I know there are differences in bracing and such but I thought the main difference came from the tonewoods.

Martin's terminology has been stretched a bit lately, but the traditional method from the 1920's forward is:

* All models below 20 are mahogany sides/back
* All models 20 and above are rosewood sides/back

So a D-18 is mahogany and a D-28 is rosewood. In old catalogs they often referred to them this way, saying that the D-18 was the "mahogany version" of the D-28.

Of course there are differences in trim, quality of materials and some construction details. The D-35 and D-28 are both rosewood dreadnoughts, but the D-35 has a 3 piece back instead of a 2 piece back. The higher number denotes "fancier" trim.

The introduction of Martin's low-cost line has muddied the waters a bit, with models like a D-16R (rosewood D-16). The low cost (less than $1500) Martins are made in a separate facility using different construction methods, far more automated. Those are models 17 and below.

BAW4742 · June 9th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradpdx

Of course there are differences in trim, quality of materials and some construction details. The D-35 and D-28 are both rosewood dreadnoughts, but the D-35 has a 3 piece back instead of a 2 piece back. The higher number denotes "fancier" trim.

Didn't the 3 piece back come about when CFM had trouble finding Brazilian Rosewood large enough to do the backs in 2 pieces?

Sorry for getting a little bit off track - just trying to educate myself here.

bradpdx · June 9th, 2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAW4742

Didn't the 3 piece back come about when CFM had trouble finding Brazilian Rosewood large enough to do the backs in 2 pieces?

Sorry for getting a little bit off track - just trying to educate myself here.

That is correct. The D-35 was a response to the changing availability of rosewood at the time. While the supply situation improved with the switch to Indian rosewood, the model was successful and remains in the line.

BAW4742 · June 9th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradpdx

That is correct. The D-35 was a response to the changing availability of rosewood at the time. While the supply situation improved with the switch to Indian rosewood, the model was successful and remains in the line.

Thanks for info bradpdx. It's good to know the ole brain is still functioning (at least a little)

Bullwinkle · June 11th, 2008, 12:49 AM

Here's a curveball ... if you get the chance before you buy something, try out a Gibson Advanced Jumbo. Seriously. I played one at a GC in Columbus OH earlier this spring that put the HD28 they also had hangin' to shame. I'm not saying that all Adv Jumbo's have "it" over any given Martin dread, but this particular example was the bees' knees. I should've bought the thing, but $1800 is $1800, and I had other (Tele) plans for my money.

February 1st, 2008, 02:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sacdubro TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 62	Comments on D-28 & D-35 I've read some of the recent posts here regarding Martin HD-28s. However, I haven't seem much on the D-35. I've recently decided that I need a Dred to pair with my 000 12Fret RW/Adi. The problem I'm having is that I've yet been in a store with a Standard D-28. I've been able to play a D-35, HD-28V at a GC to A/B and both were great examples. The HD had more projection but, the 35 was no slouch either. I don't really need the addional volume that HD provides since I play at home for myself. My question is how does the 28 compare with the 35 if you were looking for a flat picking/rhythm strummer?

February 1st, 2008, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
bradpdx Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portland, OR Age: 50 Posts: 752	I use an HD-28 that I just love - really powerful, great flatpicking guitar with loads of projection. The regular D-28 (current model) doesn't have the scalloped braces and sounds more "constrained" to me most of the time, but it is still a fine guitar. The D-35 doesn't get the respect it should in flatpicking circles, but I have always liked them very much. They have thinner braces than the 28s and usually sound fairly "forward". When I bought my HD-28 in 1997, I very nearly chose a D-35 for that reason. D-35s usually (though not always) have more bass than D-28s due to the 3 piece back and thinner braces. To my ear they are usually louder, and I know many fingerpickers who love the D-35. If I had to choose between a regular D-28 and a D-35, I'd pick the 35. __________________ ---------- Tech Geek and Sensitive Artiste String bender ordinare!

February 1st, 2008, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnnykf Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 432	Don't Dismiss the D18 Tried a D18 Golden Era today absolutely incredible. Lots of projection, as much as a D28H and a really crisp tone. Was a lot nicer than the regular D18 that was no slouch either but the price explains it. I'm not sure if the Golden Era's have adjustable truss rods as they are based on 30's designs, anyone know for sure?

February 2nd, 2008, 10:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Buck@r00 TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kathleen GA Age: 47 Posts: 93	What will you use it for? The D-35 has lighter bracing (1/4" vs. 5/8") than a D-28. It tends to add more bass. You end up in a similar comparison of scalloped vs. straight bracing. I have a straight braced D-28 while my son has a scalloped braced D-18V. The scalloped braced guitar sounds GREAT in the living room or when you're playing by yourself. You can feel the bass in your chest. However, when you play in a band or any other group situation the sound gets totally lost. The straight bracing of the standard D-28 allows the sound to really "cut through". Also if you planning to do any recording, you usually end up EQing out that extra bass sound from the scalloped guitars. They tend to sound "muddy". Again, the straight bracing sounds more clear. __________________ "You got time to breathe, you got time for music" - Briscoe Darlin

February 1st, 2008, 05:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,153	The best description I can give about the D-18s, D-28s, HDs and D-35s that show up at my bluegrass assoc events would be I think the HDs have some twang, boom and shimmer where a D is more like a darker sounding D-18. Fresh strings and a stout pick and they're all winners. FWIW: I think a mint 2007 HD-28 was just bumped in the Acoustic Guitar Forum classifieds. I don't see that sort of inventory in the classifieds here, and UMGF has a lot of good looking acoustics in their classifieds.

February 1st, 2008, 06:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sacdubro TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 62	Thanks for the responses I'm still wanting to try a D-28. But, I must say the 35 has left a stong impression. Johnnykf, the D-18GE does have a Truss Rod to go with that Red Spruce (Adirondack) top. It's a real Cannon!

February 1st, 2008, 08:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnnykf Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 432	Sac, is that a fixed non adjustable truss rod or a regular adjustable one on the D18GE?

February 1st, 2008, 11:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sacdubro TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 62	Rick, that's a beautiful JC-40 nice choice and a rare model in deed. Thanks for the recomendations, I'll keep looking. I'm in no hurry, want to find the right one. Johnny, I'm not completely sure about this but I believe all of the current GE's have an adjustable Truss Rod. If you email Martin's Customer Service they'll give you the answer.

June 9th, 2008, 03:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
Steffey TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shoreline, WA Age: 47 Posts: 27	I thinkt the current D-35s are among the best sounding Martins on the market right now, along with the HD-28s. The difference in tone is a result of the lighter top bracing on the 35 and the scalloped bracing on the HD-28. As far as flat picking goes, you can check out the glorious videos on YouTube of John Fahey playing a D-35. Really, though, I think all Martins can handle all musical situations well: they're just flat out fantastic acoustic instruments! Ultimately, it's the player and the player's relationship with the guitar that matters. The style comes along with the complex package as time goes by. I "upgraded" from a terrific D-16GT that, after eight years of heavy play, had opened up beautifully and had a marvelous mahogony projection and presence to it. I'll miss that guitar -- it was my first Martin -- but the 35 was love at first sight, sound and spirit. I suspect it will be with me for the duration. It seems that once you're at this level of Martin craftmanship, you just can't make a bad choice.

June 9th, 2008, 07:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
BAW4742 Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Age: 51 Posts: 540	I'm not real well versed in Martin's terminology but isn't the big difference between the D-18 and D-28/35 wood? I thought that 28/35s were always Rosewood sides and backs and the D-18 was Mahogany. I know there are differences in bracing and such but I thought the main difference came from the tonewoods.

June 11th, 2008, 12:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
Bullwinkle Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, WV Age: 41 Posts: 126	Here's a curveball ... if you get the chance before you buy something, try out a Gibson Advanced Jumbo. Seriously. I played one at a GC in Columbus OH earlier this spring that put the HD28 they also had hangin' to shame. I'm not saying that all Adv Jumbo's have "it" over any given Martin dread, but this particular example was the bees' knees. I should've bought the thing, but $1800 is $1800, and I had other (Tele) plans for my money.