1932 Martin 0-17 Sunburst
Description
Very rare full body factory original Sunburst finish. That’s right top, back, sides and neck are all “bursted”.
The 17 series has a long history at Martin. Even today It’s a popular model but goes back to the Civil War era, mostly with a mahogany top, sometimes with binding, and sometimes not. But 1932 is solid depression times and Martin’s golden era. In 1931 it was a 12 fret but went to 14 frets in late 1932. A pickguard was optional as was a shaded top. All sunbursts were special requests. As a ’32 with 14 frets, and full sunburst this is almost unique. It has all the golden era features like forward shifted scalloped X bracing, 1 3/4” nut width and bar frets. The tone is like thunder, it crackles and the bass blooms. It’s a wonder for its size. It will put an instant smile on your face.
There is a side repair you might say where a jack hole would be. Check the photos for the best description. The tuners are original with no other markings.
The guitar was sent to Martin ace luthier Steve Kovacik. Steve left a note inside detailing his work. He did a neck reset and fret work on the bar frets. He also reglued a back brace. There is no fret wear. He states the original bridge plate is in good condition with only minimal wear.
The tuners with white buttons are original. The bridge is Brazilian and although its been reglued, maybe more than once it looks original. The logo is on the front so no stamped logo on the back. The nut is changed. The entire guitar has been buffed during its life but there is no overspray.
The tone is what you’d expect. If you’ve never played a pre-war Martin, its life changing. You’ll be spoiled by the volume, the sustain and the bloom of each note. This is a truly a dream guitar. And for sure you’ll be the only kid in town with a whole body sunburst finish on a pre-war Martin. Even in Richard Smith’s Martin book it states the first whole body sunburst was in ’96, that’s 1996.
This doesn’t have an original case but does have a proper fitting nice newer hard case. We will be talking about this one ten years from now as one of the cooler vintage Martins visiting our store. Very exciting. Consigned.
The 17 series has a long history at Martin. Even today It’s a popular model but goes back to the Civil War era, mostly with a mahogany top, sometimes with binding, and sometimes not. But 1932 is solid depression times and Martin’s golden era. In 1931 it was a 12 fret but went to 14 frets in late 1932. A pickguard was optional as was a shaded top. All sunbursts were special requests. As a ’32 with 14 frets, and full sunburst this is almost unique. It has all the golden era features like forward shifted scalloped X bracing, 1 3/4” nut width and bar frets. The tone is like thunder, it crackles and the bass blooms. It’s a wonder for its size. It will put an instant smile on your face.
There is a side repair you might say where a jack hole would be. Check the photos for the best description. The tuners are original with no other markings.
The guitar was sent to Martin ace luthier Steve Kovacik. Steve left a note inside detailing his work. He did a neck reset and fret work on the bar frets. He also reglued a back brace. There is no fret wear. He states the original bridge plate is in good condition with only minimal wear.
The tuners with white buttons are original. The bridge is Brazilian and although its been reglued, maybe more than once it looks original. The logo is on the front so no stamped logo on the back. The nut is changed. The entire guitar has been buffed during its life but there is no overspray.
The tone is what you’d expect. If you’ve never played a pre-war Martin, its life changing. You’ll be spoiled by the volume, the sustain and the bloom of each note. This is a truly a dream guitar. And for sure you’ll be the only kid in town with a whole body sunburst finish on a pre-war Martin. Even in Richard Smith’s Martin book it states the first whole body sunburst was in ’96, that’s 1996.
This doesn’t have an original case but does have a proper fitting nice newer hard case. We will be talking about this one ten years from now as one of the cooler vintage Martins visiting our store. Very exciting. Consigned.