The Martin 00-17 model has been a great small body flat-top that’s flown under the radar since its reintroduction as a 14 fret model in 1934. By that time, the style 17 designation indicated a solid Mahogany top, back and sides with very few trimmings in order for Martin to deliver a professional instrument at a more consumer friendly price. One of the few trimmings however was that the lacquer on the body was buffed to a full shine that accentuated the beautiful quarter sawn Mahogany as opposed to the dull, flat finish of the style 15 designation. The 00-17 saw few changes over the years until its discontinuation in 1961 with the most obvious being the neck width decreasing to 1 11/16″ and the bracing style changing from scalloped to tapered and then straight by about 1948.

This 1954 Martin 00-17 has survived in gorgeous original condition with just standard maintenance items to keep it in top playing condition. The original lacquer is nice and soft with minimal checking and blemishes. The original case too is in wonderful structural and cosmetic condition that matches the guitar perfectly. Repairs include a neck reset, compression refret, bridge reglue and one hard to find long ago crack repair on the treble edge of the top. The action is a proper fingerstyle/strumming height with good break angle over the saddle. The neck is straight and the frets are in proper playing condition. The guitar is structurally very sound and should remain so for the foreseeable future. The top is light and responsive to the player’s style and picking strength. This guitar is a joy to play and a great example of Martin craftsmanship.

This vintage Martin 00-17 is in great structural and cosmetic condition and is sure to please the player and collector.