C. F. Martin 00-17 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1958)

C. F. Martin  00-17 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar  (1958)
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Item # 8991
Prices subject to change without notice.
C. F. Martin 00-17 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1958), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 162520, dark mahogany finish, Mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case.

This is a super nice example of a Martin 00-17 from 1958, just past its 60th birthday! This guitar rings with the crisply defined yet still warm and round sound these all-mahogany guitars are well-known for. These Style 17 guitars were sold at a relatively modest price (list on this 00 was $95 in 1958) but built to the same quality standards as other Martins. To achieve this economy, the company deleted the spruce top and used only the most minimal decoration: no binding anywhere and small dot fingerboard inlay. The typical features for this year include original individual Waverly openback tuners with plastic buttons, small straight rosewood bridge, and tortoise celluloid pickguard.

Vintage mahogany-top Martin guitars are known for their distinctive ringing tone, with a somewhat "tighter" detailed response on each note. They are generally considered excellent fingerpickers, especially suited to early blues and ragtime styles. The larger 00 body size gives the sound more depth than the smaller 0 size models and this is also a good general "strummer's" guitar. The 00-17 records and amplifies easily and also makes for an excellent singer-songwriter's instrument as well as a great all-around choice in a vintage Martin that won't break the bank.
 
Overall length is 38 13/16 in. (98.6 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 in. (10.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This is a very clean and all-original guitar. It shows some light checking, dings, and dents to the finish (mostly on the edges) but very little play wear. There are no cracks anywhere. The original frets are in fine shape and the neck has recently been reset, making this an excellent player. One of the nicest of these we have had, complete with the still-functional original chipboard case. Excellent Condition.