Martin 00-17S Review: Throwback with a Beautiful Sound

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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Martin's 180-plus year history manufacturing stringed instruments has lifted them to the top of the acoustic guitar world. But while the company may be best known today for their hugely popular dreadnought guitars, their 00-17S is a throwback to some vintage designs from the company's earlier years.

The smaller body shape, distinctive sunburst finish, and 12-fret neck joint make this guitar a “throwback” model. But it's also got some more modern features, like the neck shape and solid headstock. With a price tag well under $2,000, it's also an outstanding bargain for a Martin instrument.

Let's take a closer look at the details and find out what makes the Martin 00-17S a great acoustic guitar under $2,000 for players everywhere.

Body and Neck

Like all Martin guitars, the 00-17S uses only solid woods in its construction. Compared to cheaper laminates or multi-ply woods, solid wood resonates better and offers a fuller, more vibrant sound. In the case of the 00-17S, Martin opted for a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It's the same combination found on classic models like the D-18 — it provides plenty of bass and volume with a focused, present midrange and bright, clear treble sounds.

This model also uses a smaller body shape reminiscent of Martin's first guitars. The 00-17S's body is light and easy to handle — this grand concert shape is far closer to a parlor guitar than a hulking dreadnought or jumbo acoustic. Smaller or younger players will love this aspect.

This guitar's neck is made of one piece of hardwood. The rosewood fingerboard lends a bit of warmth and depth to the guitar's tone; it helps fill out the low-end and provides a sleek, oily feel that makes it easy to fret notes all up and down the neck.

Hardware

Martin guitars, especially vintage and historic models, are known for their beautiful natural finishes. In light of that trend, the sunburst finish on the 00-17S is a surprising move. Thankfully, the finish looks amazing. Martin terms the color “whiskey sunset,” and it's easy to see why. The two-tone sunburst conjures up images of guitars from the pre-war era and Old West. However, there's also the color “black smoke,” which gives the guitar a classic look.

Most vintage Martin guitars have a slotted headstock reminiscent of classical guitar models and early steel-string acoustics. The 00-17S uses a modern solid headstock design instead — it's a unique touch that makes this axe instantly recognizable to other players and non-musicians alike.

The tuning gears do feature a unique touch, though. Rather than modern nickel closed-gear tuners, the 00-17S uses aged white open-gear tuners to give you a broken-in feel and tuning stability. The rosewood bridge is a modern “straight line” shape. It houses a compensated bone saddle, which pairs with a bone nut to keep your tuning and intonation in shape.

Sound

This guitar is unmistakably a smaller-bodied model. It doesn't achieve quite the booming bass or resonant volume that Martin's dreadnoughts do. However, it projects impressively for its curvier size and offers a supremely balanced tonal range.

When picked or strummed, the 00-17S is hardy and responsive. It's easy for even novice players to create great dynamics with this guitar. The bass range is tight but doesn't dominate, while the trebles are clear and crisp; there's plenty of presence and attack here without shrill, piercing notes in the high end.

The smaller, slinkier body also lends itself naturally to fingerpicking. This technique mellows the 00-17S out a bit, with the warmth of the bass and midrange coming through more. With that being said, it still offers enough trebly clarity for lead playing and solo fingerstyle lines.

Conclusion

The Martin 00-17S is an unmistakable departure from the company's most popular dreadnought models. But while some purists might dismiss the smaller body on first glance, the 00-17S is an outstanding guitar with loads of character and personality.

You can find the 00-17S for under $2,000: a great price for a guitar of Martin's quality. That price tag is a major bonus, particularly if you're looking at the 00-17S for a younger player. Still, it merits consideration from players in all genres who want a distinctive acoustic from a world-renowned brand.