Resurected 1970 D 35

[Br1ck]

Here are some pictures of my rebuilt D 35. It has many battle scars that don't show up in the pics. It is a great sounding and playing guitar now. Bought fifteen years ago in unplayable condition, brought out of the closet a year ago, and finally finished yesterday, it is by far the longest NGD odyssey I've ever had. Paid $250 for it and just spent $1000. Some might say financial folly, but they haven't played this guitar. I like it better than 14 of the 15 Martin D 18s I've played recently. Brazilian RW bridge of correct vintage via Hans Moust.

 

[GardMan]

Very nice! I still have my '72 D-35 bought new in Jan 1973. Need to send it to Fixit for some TLC, one of these days...

 

[txbumper57]

Nice Job Br1ck! Often the best guitars out there are the ones in need of repair. I always look at it as if they need to be repaired that means 9 out of 10 times that they sounded so good to begin with they were played into Oblivion! Congrats on having the work done and the bridge looks very nice! As far as the financials are concerned, You have $1250 in it and a wait period. It's going to be extremely hard to find an American made Guitar that sounds the way that one does for $1250 in Excellent playing shape. I think you came out ahead and did a great job on this one! Congrats and Enjoy it for years to come!

 

[davismanLV]

I agree with txbumper, above! And even if the money didn't work out in your favor, it's not always about the money. Thanks for sharing the photos and the journey with us!! GOOD JOB!! :encouragement:

 

[Br1ck]

I only ever sold one all solid wood American guitar in my life, a Martin 000 16 sold to a friend who still owns it, so resale was far down my thoughts. It really is a special guitar that got a set of Dazzo pickups today. Teddy Randazzo thought it sounded great too.

 

[Neal]

Someone will have to pry my D-35, which I have owned since 1975, out of my cold, dead hands.

Simple mahogany and sitka excellence.

Neal

 

[LateStart]

Great inspiration! I have 3 that are on the road to re-hab, one separated from it's neck at the moment.

 

[D30Man]

I love D-35's.. I am with TX, getting them home is one thing.. Getting them to max playability sometimes takes an investment... Based on the vintage D-35's I have played I bet this one is killer.

I paid $450 for a D25ch that is currently in the hands of a highly competent luthier for a bridge re-glue for $120.. It might also need a $350 neck re-set. So $920 all in on a somewhat rough around the edges '79 d25ch.. That doesn't even include the $150 investment to get a k&k in there to play it live.. Sooooo I feel you. In the end it will be worth it. It is the best sounding guitar I have ever owned..

 

[Br1ck]

I never in my wildest dreams thought this guitar would sound so good. I have about 12 hours on it in two days. Two hours can fly by in an instant. I would encourage anyone to hunt down a D 35 from the early Westerly years. They are built light. Over the course of my year long wait I played a bunch of D 18s. I played two I wanted to take home. One was a 65, the other a 66. While they had more pure volume cutting ability for bluegrass, neither had the pleasing tonal character as my D 35, and both were mid $2000 guitars.

My D 35 has a fantastic treble, not at all harsh, but present all the same. Very balanced overall and a great guitar to sing with. The old wood I believe has much to do with the tone of this guitar. Economics aside, I'd spend up to $1800 on another one. If you find one with a decent neck angle, all the better.

LateStart, I'd still like to get together some time and compare D 35s. Mine got a bunch of snot replaced though. Looks much spiffier with the neck refinished. Maybe we could have a Bay Area D 35-D 40 fest sometime.

Anyone know when they went to a heavier build?

 

[Westerly Wood]

Economics aside, I'd spend up to $1800 on another one.

Fortunately for us, we should never have to do that!

 

[wileypickett]

Does anyone know why Guild discontinued the D35 after 1989?

 

[hansmoust]

Does anyone know why Guild discontinued the D35 after 1989?

Hello wileypickett,

Actually the D-35 was discontinued during 1987 and the reason was that the people in charge felt there was no need to have a mahogany bodied dreadnought in between the D-25 that was listed at $ 650.00 and the D-40 at $ 795.00.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[wileypickett]

Thanks Hans. I wondered if Guild had come up with something similar -- but with a new model designation -- to take its place or something.

 

[chazmo]

Man, some amazing resurrection-from-the-dead stories lately. Very nice, Br1ck! That guitar looks awesome to me!

 

[6L6]

Well done! Bring it to O/M soon!

Bill

 

[Br1ck]

6L6, how about Thursday night?

Guys, buy now. Mark my words, in a decade mahogany is going to be heading toward Brazilian territory, and reserved for the elite upper end guitars. ANY mahogany guitar will be valued highly. Don't for a minute think a D 35 won't bring $2000

Mahogany is no longer being used on 15 series Martins, and is a $500 upgrade from the custom shop. This is direct from LA Guitars, a big custom Martin buyer. Sipo and Sapele from now on..

..so buy up those old D 25, D 35, and D 40s now while you can.

 

[6L6]

Brick: See you there!

 

[Bikerdoc]

Apparently a D35 is my next guitar. :very_drunk: It looks just super. Thanks for sharing.

Peace

 

[D30Man]

I have brushed up against a few D35's over the past couple of years and can say with confidence one will find its way to my stable..

 

[Westerly Wood]

6L6, how about Thursday night?

Guys, buy now. Mark my words, in a decade mahogany is going to be heading toward Brazilian territory, and reserved for the elite upper end guitars. ANY mahogany guitar will be valued highly. Don't for a minute think a D 35 won't bring $2000

Mahogany is no longer being used on 15 series Martins, and is a $500 upgrade from the custom shop. This is direct from LA Guitars, a big custom Martin buyer. Sipo and Sapele from now on..

..so buy up those old D 25, D 35, and D 40s now while you can.

Ah, so this is why a drone has been flying over my home the past couple nights. I got this all hog Guild dread, and...