2010 Martin 000-35 Custom Shop

The Martin D-35 dreadnought acoustic guitar is perhaps the most beautiful factory guitar ever made, enhanced with the famous Martin quality and sound. Starting in 1965 with the Brazilian Rosewood version, it was clearly designed as a custom rosewood parallel to the classic D-28. Although the Braz gave way to the more available Indian Rosewood in 1969—the Martin commitment to this custom concept has remained absolute. This was 41 years before this particular guitar was made, according to its serial number (1454800) and the custom build sheets enclosed with the guitar. Featuring solid woods throughout, this Custom Shop 000-35 is a superb one-of-a-kind American-made acoustic guitar with great visual impact, a “Wow” factor which few other designs—boutique or otherwise—can ever produce.

This Martin 000-35 was custom-ordered through New York’s Mandolin Brothers store by a professional musician (more about him later), and it features a three-piece solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides in a gloss finish and a glossy finish solid Sitka Spruce grade 3-4 top. The binding is not flashy abalone, but it is very elaborate six-ply top binding and three-ply back binding, with its white outer layer alternating with black lines with Martin style 35 purfling. With its traditional Martin black pick guard, 5-9-5 grouping style 28 rosette, ebony belly-style bridge with white black-dot pins, ebony fingerboard with pearl-dot inlays, rosewood headstock overlay with raised gold leaf logo, and enclosed chrome Grover tuners, this is the picture of a quality guitar--topped off, of course, with the C. F. Martin name on the headstock which says it all. The price for this working professional’s tool of his trade? $3,925.95—in 2010!

The playability and sound verify the quality promised by the name and the beautiful appearance because much of the cost went into the actual tonewoods and structural details. The body dimensions are similar to those of most 000 and OM guitars: it has a 14/20-fret fingerboard, a low-profile neck, and a bone nut and bone compensated saddle with string spacing of 2 ¼.” The Martin mortise/tenon neck joint and Sitka Spruce bracing of the top combine with the great sensitivity and resonance of Rosewood to make for the rich, bright sound characteristic of the larger D-35; it has had 10 years of seasoning to make this guitar sing. The action is fast and comfortable at a bit less than 3/32” at the 12th-fret low E, which is good because you won’t want to put it down for hours.

The playing condition is excellent, as you would expect of a Martin: straight neck, little fret wear, solid bridge, tight tuners, and so on. The action is medium low, and the sound is terrific—and it will only become better as it ages. In keeping with the requirements for a touring musician sometimes performing in loud or noisy venues, it also has a factory-installed Fishman Aura electronics system. Cosmetically, it’s also in excellent shape, with hardly a ding or scratch, or even a pick mark on the pick guard—and above all the Martin logo certifying that it was born and bred in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

Now a quick word about the international artist who designed this fine instrument: Seamus Kelleher was born in Ireland, but has since re-located to a base in the United States. While there are many YouTube clips of his entertaining performances and CDs available, I am mentioning him in this listing not to promote him but primarily because his work lends weight and credibility to the value of this guitar.

In addition, there are some personal touches on the guitar and case which I have tentatively left intact as provenance for his involvement. First, at the 12th fret, the position marker is a discreetly inlaid “SK” in fancy script—so stylized that I thought it was just decoration until I looked closely. Secondly, the case has the remains of several flight labels from American, European, and Asian airlines. And thirdly, his personal luggage tag is still attached to the handle of the case, filled out in his own handwriting. Now, all of these traces can be removed if you wish, but I thought I would leave the decision to the next owner, who might enjoy the links to the artist.

Naturally, the deluxe Martin hard shell case is original, but its black thermoplastic exterior, arched top, and Martin green plush interior are worthy of this fine guitar. It has earned a few dings around the edges protecting this instrument; however, the hardware all works perfectly, it is virtually indestructible, and with famous Martin logo embossed on the top, it is an ideal complement to this wonderful Martin guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55.00 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I believe that I have described this instrument fully and accurately. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions before offering to purchase it, as its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.

Thank you for your interest in this unique Martin guitar.