C. F. Martin 0-17 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1943), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 84523, natural lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a well-played but still attractive little all-mahogany Martin from right in the middle of WWII, made in 1943. During the war these inexpensive (for a Martin!) guitars sold for $35, still a considerable sum for the average player. This model had helped Martin stay afloat in the lean years of the early '30's, and was still produced in some quantity during the war-475 were made this year. Special wartime features include the ebony neck reinforcement (instead of the metal rod) and riveted, thin gear Kluson strip tuners, mounted without bushings. This is a simple but lovely sounding old Martin, especially fine for fingerpicking.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 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.). Some wear and repair but overall a very nice sounding and playing guitar. There are several small repaired top cracks, dings into the top and medium light wear overall, but no large spots of pickwear or finish loss. There is some wear to the edges of the fingerboard, which makes it feel a bit more "squarish" than most Martins. All in all very nice player with a recent neckset and correct period-style refret; a very sweet-sounding all-mahogany guitar. Excellent - Condition.
