Martin 00-17 (1958)

Description

While we all love the roar of a played-in Martin dreadnaught, there's something extraordinary about the company's more compact models, like this punchy 1958 00-17. This mid-sized, all-mahogany pinch hitter dates from just before the 60s folk boom, and its naturally resonant and powerful tone has opened up nicely over more than 60 years of regular play. With a dry voice and a mellow top end, this fantastic little six-string is an ideal tool for fingerstyle players, while still being large enough to remain usable as a more by-the-book folk guitar. As one of Martin's more basic models throughout the 1950s, the 00-17 sports minimal and graceful cosmetic appointments, and for the most part allows the natural beauty of the dark, tight-grained mahogany to do the talking.

This instrument arrived in our store in very good condition, with cosmetic and structural wear below the norm for an instrument of its age. The only major damage consists a pickguard crack, which extends up from the bridge, runs underneath the pickguard, then terminates at the bottom of the soundhole - this crack has been repaired and should not reopen provided proper care by the guitar's next owner. Minor cosmetic wear includes scuffing on the lower bout and some fairly salient scuffing and denting on the back of the neck's bass side. Overall cosmetic condition is very good, with about the typical amount of dents, divots, and checking as is to be expected on a guitar now over 60 years of age. Playability generally is excellent, with good action and tone in all positions on the neck. Included in the price is a non-original Martin hard-shell case.

*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*