C. F. Martin 00-17 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1957), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 154302, dark mahogany finish, Mahognay body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a superbly preserved, all-mahogany Martin 00 from late 1957, just about exactly 60 years old! This guitar rings with the crisply defined yet still warm and round sound these guitars are well known for. The typical Martin features for this year include original individual Waverly openback tuners with plastic buttons, small straight rosewood bridge, and tortoise celluloid pickguard. These mahogany-top guitars have a distinctive ringing tone and are excellent fingerpickers 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 superbly well-preserved guitar for just having passed its 60th birthday; it apparently has seen very little play through all that time. There are only very small scuffs and scratches, mostly to the back and sides, and everything is original down to the bridgepins. The open-back Waverly tuners look practically new. The original saddle looks to have been slightly re-contoured on top and the guitar plays perfectly, ready to go. As nice a mahogany Martin from the 50's as we have seen in a while. Includes a good modern HSC. Excellent + Condition.
