2016 Martin 00-17S, Black Smoke

By Martin
£1,595.00

This product is unavailable
Ask a Question
Want to Part Exchange?
Superb, lightweight, small bodied 12 fret Martin parlour guitar from 2016 in Martin’s own evocative Black Smoke finish. Excellent condition with subtle areas of handling and play wear help give the guitar a gentle, aged feel and appearance.

Style 17 guitars have been produced by Martin periodically since the 1850s with the guitars produced from the 30s into the 50’s being particularly sought out thanks to their simple construction and excellent value in the vintage market. Introduced in 2016, this new incarnation of the 17 series was great success for Martin with the guitars wonderfully minimalist appearance and construction harking back to a depression-era time and the guitars and music produced then.

Featuring a 00, 12-fret body with a Sitka Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides with a Mahogany neck. Constructed with a simple Dovetail joint the neck is topped with a Rosewood fingerboard with 1955 Style 18 position inlays. The braces are scalloped 0.25” Sitka Spruce in an X-braced pattern. The Rosewood bar bridge has a compensated bone drop in saddle with a 2.16” string spacing. The neck is Martins Modified Low Oval profile with High Performance Taper. The bone nut has a width of 1.75”. The tuners are open backed Nickel with cream plastic Buttons. The satin ‘Black Smoke’ finish is incredibly thinly applied. The nearly opaque finish shows plenty of wood grain on the Spruce top and Mahogany back, sides.

The guitar is in great condition, especially given the thinness of the finish. There is a small area of pick wear just below the strings otherwise the guitar is in great, played in condition. The frets are smooth with plenty of height and the saddle has lots of room for adjustment. The guitar is currently set up with 11 gauge strings with an action of 3mm at the 12th fret.

Not currently in the Martin catalog and not often seen in the used market the 00-17S has no real contemporary competition. In use the guitar has plenty of volume with a dry, balanced voice that suits finger-style but also can handle a pick within the limitations of the guitars headroom.

A very cool, USA made Martin representing excellent value for money. Comes complete with its original Martin hardshell case.