1930 Martin 0-17 12-Fret Guitar Serial #42863 - Very Good Condition

Serial number 42863 puts this 0-17 in early 1930 production, right at the tail end of the 12-fret era. The all-mahogany construction, the slotted headstock, and the understated appointments are all there. No rosette to speak of, no binding flourishes. Just a beautifully made small-body guitar that was built to be played.

This particular 0-17 has a solidly repaired treble-side crack. There appears to be light lacquer applied to the repair.

The mahogany top, back, and sides give this guitar its characteristic sound: dry, woody, and present in the midrange, with a fundamental clarity that really does not care whether you are fingerpicking or driving a flatpick through it. The 12-fret neck joint places the bridge closer to the lower bout's center, resulting in more top-surface movement and a rounder, more resonant low end than the 14-fret models that follow.

These Depression-era all-mahogany Martins have become increasingly sought after, and for good reason. They sit perfectly in a mix; they record beautifully, and they play with an ease and authority that comes from nearly a century of settling in. This one is in Very Good condition and plays well.

* The information presented here was collected from the estate of Marvin Rosenberg and independent research. It is accurate to the best of our ability.