Mine is a Martin D35 that I bought used. Oddly, the top appears to have been cut at an angle; the grain falls diagonally through the soundhole, rather than at a right angle. Doesn't seem to have hurt the sound of the instrument at all; it's constantly being praised by listeners. BUT if I EVER find the previous owner, who stored a spiral notebook in the case with it and left spiral-marks all over the top's finish... he or she will never be found again!

I keep the action very low and use extra-light strings because I have lupus, with its attendant arthritic symptoms. I also use fingernails for picking, rather than finger-picks (they feel like children's toy rings to me). I realize that the string-weight and playing method are too light/delicate to take full advantage of the features of the D35 model; is there a Martin model I should be using that would "go better" with extra-light strings, low action and fingernails? I do enjoy the D35's depth of sound, especially in the low range. I need a strong-sounding instrument to accompany my vocals, lest I drown out my own guitar when I sing!

Anybody have any suggestions?

SharonA