Martin’s first dreadnoughts were 12-fret models which offered more air volume and a larger top area than the 14-fret version that replaced them in 1934. These early 12-fret dreadnoughts delivered a tone entirely their own among Martin flat-tops, and players sought them out for decades to follow. By the mid-1960s, recognizing a growing appreciation for their pre-war instruments, Martin began designing guitars that echoed those earlier builds. Among them were the 12-fret dreadnoughts. From the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s, Martin produced roughly one 12-fret D for every twenty-five 14-fret versions—so while never especially plentiful, the 12-fret dreadnought certainly enjoyed a notable resurgence during that period.

This example is a 12-fret D-35S from 1972. It shares its specs with its 14 fret sibling; a 3-piece back, WBW side purflings, bound fretboard, no volute, and ¼” wide X bracing. With its thinner bracing, extra air volume, and increased break angle due to its slotted headstock, this extra-large Dreadnought offers both fundamental presence and gorgeous overtones – two things that aren’t usually found in one guitar in equal amounts. It’s fairly loud, well-balanced, and perfectly nuanced; making it a wonderful large-body fingerstyle guitar and an equally wonderful flatpicker. Another rare combination.

Indian rosewood back and sides, X-braced Sitka spruce top with lighter ¼” braces, 25.4” scale neck, ebony fretboard and bridge. 1-7/8” nut, 2-5/16” bridge string spacing, .870” depth at the first fret.

Neck reset, fret dress, saddle, and setup by our shop. The original shrunken pickguard was reglued prior to this guitar’s arrival here. Original finish, tuners, nut, and bridge pins. Crack free, essentially, but there’s a 2” hairline check on the back at the edge of the neck block that is too small and too tight to glue with any efficacy.

Excellent playability with action set at 5-6 64ths.

With original blue hardshell case.