Martin 0-17 1944

This is a 1944 Martin 0-17, a wartime small-bodied flat-top acoustic with all the charm, character, and musicality that make these instruments so sought after by serious players and collectors.

This lovely example has that unmistakable vintage voice that simply cannot be recreated by modern builds. Light, resonant, and wonderfully responsive, the 0-17 from this era is constructed from all-mahogany—top, back, and sides—giving it a warm, dry, woody tone with a strong midrange presence and a beautifully focused projection. Fingerpickers will appreciate the clarity and articulation, while strummers will enjoy the sweet compression and vintage bloom that these guitars are so well known for.

It has recently benefited from a professional neck reset and a full refret, making it an absolute pleasure to play with a comfortable action and clean, buzz-free notes up the neck. As expected from a working instrument that has seen eight decades of use, it shows numerous marks, dings, and historic professional repairs, but all remain in line with a well-maintained vintage acoustic built for longevity. It also features reproduction tuners and a compensated bridge saddle, both chosen for practicality and playability.

Artists throughout the folk and early Americana worlds have relied on all-mahogany Martins—from the 0-17 to the 00-17 and 000-17—for their intimate, earthy tone. Players such as Woody Guthrie, Martin Carthy, and countless traditional fingerstylists have embraced these guitars for their honesty, warmth, and musical directness.

Sold with a high-quality modern hardshell case for safe keeping.

A wonderfully soulful and historically significant Martin—lightweight, expressive, and ready for many more decades of music.