J. Art Keener II

I grew up in Kensington Maryland and I have a 1973 Nagoya N-35. I wanted a Martin D-35 but my dad balked at the $735 price. The salesman at Venemans in Silver Spring suggested this one at $275, I think. Under $300 with a hard case and out the door. The sound doesn't stay as bright as a Martin very long but it does sound great for a couple of weeks before the strings start to loose their ring. Occasionally the B string will buzz at the bridge, depending on the string gauge. But the rosewood is amazing. It almost looks like "wings" when you look straight on at the lower bout at the strap peg. The only other issue is the ivoroid cap at the heel of the neck has come unglued. Or actually, it might be that the wood of the heel has shrunk, as the varnish is still holding the ivoroid in place, but there is about a gap about the thickness of the hard card backing on little notepads.