Brand: Martin
Instrument Categories: 12 String, Acoustic Steel String, Guitars, SOLD
Introduced in 1965, the Martin D12-35 is the 12-string version of the classic Martin D35, visually notable with its three piece Rosewood back. The three-piece design was introduced partly because of simple market forces – larger sized pieces of Rosewood, particularly Brazilian, were becoming scarcer and more expensive. By 1967, Martin was phasing out the use of Brazilian Rosewood, but it appeared on guitars into 1970 until the stocks were completely exhausted.
This Martin D12-35 example dates to 1969 and has a mix of Indian and Brazilian Rosewoods. The center panel of the back is Brazilian, while the outer panels, sides and headplate are Indian.
The D12-35 uses a Dreadnought shape, but it does not have the ‘square’ shoulders typical of the Martin D body; the upper bouts are rounded or ‘sloped’. It’s more like the 1916 models built for the Ditson company in terms of body shape. The top is Sitka Spruce paired with sides, back and headplate of various Rosewoods. The neck is Mahogany, with a slotted peghead, and the bridge and bound 12-fret fingerboard are Ebony.
This guitar is in good working order, with an action ranging from 6/54ths bass to 5/64ths treble and lots of saddle. It has had a neck reset, and the bridge has been reglued. There are some wear marks from enthusiastic strumming. It’s obviously been played and has a huge, full, open sound to prove it, but the light fret wear would suggest that it’s also been refretted.
The included case is structurally solid but has two broken latches.
- Model: D12-35
- Year: 1969
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 258893
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 21/11/2018
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 4.97lbs 2.26kg
- Scale Length: 24.9in 623.5mm
- Nut Width: 1.85in 47mm
