Made from 1997 to 2005, this model was based on the D-35 Tony Rice made famous. It has a large soundhole (LSV=Large Soundhole Vintage) which allows for a more responsive and booming sound. Fun Fact: In May of 2000, Martin changed the top wood and bracing from Adirondack to Sitka; this guitar was made before that change and sports an Adi top. Other features of this model include Indian Rosewood back and sides, forward shifted Adirondack bracing, herringbone top inlay, bone nut and saddle, 1-3/4” nut width, maple bridge plate, tortoise plastic pickguard and ivoroid bound ebony fretboard. There is an added Breezy Ridge brand ebony armrest on the top which can be removed cleanly if the new owner should so desire. There is also an added passive under saddle pickup installed. The molded case is not the original.
The original {v-shaped} neck has been replaced with a “modified low oval” shape, which has the added feature of snowflake designed mother-of-pearl inlay on seven frets. The tuners are Schaller, which is also an upgrade from the tuners found on the original neck. The new neck was replaced by the Martin Factory in November of 2003.
The guitar has some scratches on the back of the neck, a ding on the treble side of the neck under the tuners (probably from a hanging stand of some sort) and a scratch on the lower bout treble side of the top along with some light signs of use on top and back. On the bottom sides of the body there are light surface scratches within the finish. The frets show minor playing wear. On the top, below the bridge, there is an incipient finish crack (incipient means that there is no repair required, the blemish is purely cosmetic).