This 1932 Martin 0-17 is a beautiful example of one of C. F. Martin & Co.’s most understated and musical pre-war models. All-mahogany, lightly built and deeply expressive, the 0-17 has long been prized for its immediacy, warmth and directness. This particular instrument has been carefully restored with a clear respect for originality, materials and traditional methods, resulting in a guitar that feels alive, stable and inspiring to play.
The restoration work has been extensive and thoughtfully executed. A full neck reset has been carried out, along with a bridge reglue and the fitting of a new bone saddle, glued in using hot hide glue as per original Martin construction. Multiple loose braces have been reglued, again using traditional techniques, restoring the structural integrity and responsiveness of the top. The neck has been straightened via heat treatment and received a light fret dress, ensuring comfortable playability while preserving original material.
Further work includes servicing the original tuners and securing the headstock bushings, shimming and recutting the original nut, and addressing a number of age-related issues to the body. These include gluing and cleating top centre seam separations and splits, repairing and cleating side splits, and correcting top side separations. All repairs have been carried out with care, aiming to stabilise the guitar long-term while keeping its voice intact.
The result is a wonderful pre-war Martin that delivers exactly what these guitars are known for. Dry, woody fundamentals, quick response, and an intimate, vocal-like quality that suits fingerstyle, blues and light strumming beautifully. It’s a guitar that feels incredibly connected in the hands, with a natural compression and warmth that only decades of ageing can provide.
A rare opportunity to acquire a sensitively restored 1932 Martin 0-17 that retains its vintage character while offering the confidence and playability expected of a properly sorted instrument.
Comes in OHSC which shows plenty of wear.
Features:
Model: Martin 0-17
Year: 1932
Country of Manufacture: USA
Body Size: 0
Top: Mahogany
Back and Sides: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony
Nut: Original, shimmed and recut
Saddle: Bone, hot hide glue installation
Tuners: Original, serviced
Bracing: Original, reglued where required
Finish: Original nitrocellulose lacquer
Restoration Work: Neck reset, bridge reglue, brace regluing, seam and split repairs, side repairs, neck heat treatment, light fret dress
Case: Hard shell case
