What is a Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar?
The Martin 00 17S is a small-bodied acoustic guitar with a solid mahogany top, solid mahogany back and sides, and a dovetail neck joint. It has a 24.9″ scale length, a 12-fret neck, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The 00 17S is known for its warm, rich sound and its comfortable playing feel.
Editor’s Notes:The Martin 00 17S is a popular choice for fingerstyle guitarists and singer-songwriters. It is also a good choice for beginners who are looking for a high-quality guitar that will last for many years.
We’ve done the analysis and dug into the information, and we’ve put together this Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar guide to help you make the right decision.
Key Differences:
| Martin 00 17S | |
|---|---|
| Body Shape | 00-14 Fret |
| Top Wood | Solid Mahogany |
| Back & Sides | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck Wood | Select Hardwood |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Bridge | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 24.9″ |
| Number of Frets | 12 |
Main Article Topics:
- The History of the Martin 00 17S
- The Construction of the Martin 00 17S
- The Sound of the Martin 00 17S
- The Playability of the Martin 00 17S
- The Value of the Martin 00 17S
1. Body Shape
The 00-14 fret body shape is a small-bodied acoustic guitar design that originated in the early 1900s. It is characterized by its narrow waist, rounded lower bout, and 14-fret neck. The 00-14 fret body shape is known for its warm, rich sound and its comfortable playing feel.
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a 00-14 fret body shape. This body shape gives the guitar a warm, rich sound that is perfect for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters. The comfortable playing feel makes the guitar easy to play for hours on end.
The 00-14 fret body shape is a popular choice for fingerstyle guitarists and singer-songwriters because it provides a warm, rich sound that is perfect for delicate fingerpicking and vocal accompaniment. The small body size also makes the guitar easy to hold and play for extended periods of time.
Here is a table that summarizes the key insights about the connection between “Body Shape: 00-14 Fret” and “martin 00 17s acoustic guitar”:
| Body Shape: 00-14 Fret | Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Body Size | Small | Small |
| Body Shape | Narrow waist, rounded lower bout | Narrow waist, rounded lower bout |
| Number of Frets | 14 | 14 |
| Sound | Warm, rich | Warm, rich |
| Playing Feel | Comfortable | Comfortable |
Overall, the 00-14 fret body shape is an important component of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. It gives the guitar its warm, rich sound and its comfortable playing feel, making it a popular choice for fingerstyle guitarists and singer-songwriters.
2. Top Wood
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a solid mahogany top. Mahogany is a dense, durable wood with a warm, rich sound. It is a popular choice for acoustic guitars because it provides a good balance of volume, projection, and sustain.
- Tonal Characteristics: Solid mahogany tops produce a warm, rich sound with a strong midrange and clear treble. This makes them a good choice for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters who want a guitar that will articulate their notes clearly.
- Durability: Mahogany is a very durable wood, which makes it a good choice for guitars that will be played regularly. It is also resistant to warping and cracking, making it a good choice for guitars that will be exposed to changes in temperature and humidity.
- Responsiveness: Mahogany tops are very responsive to the player’s touch. This makes them a good choice for guitarists who want a guitar that will respond to their playing dynamics.
- Versatility: Mahogany tops are versatile and can be used for a variety of genres of music, from folk to rock to blues. This makes them a good choice for guitarists who want a guitar that can handle a variety of playing styles.
Overall, the solid mahogany top on the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a major contributor to the guitar’s warm, rich sound and its durability. It is a good choice for guitarists who want a guitar that will articulate their notes clearly, respond to their playing dynamics, and stand up to regular use.
3. Back & Sides
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features solid mahogany back and sides. Mahogany is a dense, durable wood with a warm, rich sound. It is a popular choice for acoustic guitars because it provides a good balance of volume, projection, and sustain.
- Tonal Characteristics: Solid mahogany back and sides produce a warm, rich sound with a strong midrange and clear treble. This makes the Martin 00 17S a good choice for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters who want a guitar that will articulate their notes clearly.
- Projection: Mahogany is a dense wood, which gives the Martin 00 17S a good amount of projection. This means that the guitar will be able to produce a lot of volume, even when played without a pick.
- Durability: Mahogany is a very durable wood, which makes the Martin 00 17S a good choice for guitars that will be played regularly. It is also resistant to warping and cracking, making it a good choice for guitars that will be exposed to changes in temperature and humidity.
- Responsiveness: Mahogany is a very responsive wood, which means that the Martin 00 17S will respond well to the player’s touch. This makes it a good choice for guitarists who want a guitar that will articulate their playing dynamics.
Overall, the solid mahogany back and sides on the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar contribute to the guitar’s warm, rich sound, its durability, and its responsiveness. This makes it a good choice for guitarists who want a guitar that will articulate their notes clearly, respond to their playing dynamics, and stand up to regular use.
4. Neck Wood
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a neck made of select hardwood. The type of wood used for the neck can have a significant impact on the guitar’s sound, feel, and playability.
Select hardwoods are known for their strength, durability, and tonal qualities. Mahogany is a popular choice for guitar necks because it is strong, durable, and produces a warm, rich sound. Other hardwoods that are commonly used for guitar necks include maple, rosewood, and ebony.
The neck of the Martin 00 17S is made from select hardwood, which gives the guitar a warm, rich sound with a strong midrange and clear treble. The neck is also very comfortable to play, with a smooth, satin finish.
Here is a table that summarizes the key insights about the connection between “Neck Wood: Select Hardwood” and “martin 00 17s acoustic guitar”:
| Neck Wood: Select Hardwood | Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Select hardwood (mahogany, maple, rosewood, ebony) | Select hardwood (mahogany) |
| Tonal Characteristics | Warm, rich sound with a strong midrange and clear treble | Warm, rich sound with a strong midrange and clear treble |
| Feel and Playability | Comfortable to play, with a smooth, satin finish | Comfortable to play, with a smooth, satin finish |
Overall, the neck wood is an important component of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. It contributes to the guitar’s warm, rich sound, its comfortable playing feel, and its overall durability.
5. Fingerboard
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a fingerboard made of rosewood. Rosewood is a dense, durable wood with a warm, rich sound. It is a popular choice for fingerboards because it provides a good balance of hardness and smoothness, making it comfortable to play for extended periods of time.
The rosewood fingerboard on the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar contributes to the guitar’s warm, rich sound and its comfortable playing feel. The hardness of the rosewood helps to produce a clear, articulate sound, while the smoothness of the wood makes it easy to play. The rosewood fingerboard also adds to the guitar’s overall aesthetic appeal, with its dark, reddish-brown color and beautiful grain patterns.
Here is a table that summarizes the key insights about the connection between “Fingerboard: Rosewood” and “martin 00 17s acoustic guitar”:
| Fingerboard: Rosewood | Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Tonal Characteristics | Warm, rich sound with a clear, articulate tone | Warm, rich sound with a clear, articulate tone |
| Playing Feel | Comfortable and smooth to play | Comfortable and smooth to play |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Dark, reddish-brown color with beautiful grain patterns | Dark, reddish-brown color with beautiful grain patterns |
Overall, the rosewood fingerboard is an important component of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. It contributes to the guitar’s warm, rich sound, its comfortable playing feel, and its overall aesthetic appeal.
6. Bridge
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a bridge made of rosewood. Rosewood is a dense, durable wood with a warm, rich sound. It is a popular choice for bridges because it provides a good balance of hardness and flexibility, making it able to withstand the tension of the strings while still producing a clear, resonant sound.
- Tonal Characteristics: Rosewood bridges produce a warm, rich sound with a clear, articulate tone. This makes the Martin 00 17S a good choice for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters who want a guitar that will articulate their notes clearly.
- Durability: Rosewood is a very durable wood, which makes the Martin 00 17S a good choice for guitars that will be played regularly. It is also resistant to warping and cracking, making it a good choice for guitars that will be exposed to changes in temperature and humidity.
- Responsiveness: Rosewood bridges are very responsive to the player’s touch. This makes the Martin 00 17S a good choice for guitarists who want a guitar that will respond to their playing dynamics.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Rosewood bridges have a beautiful, dark reddish-brown color with intricate grain patterns. This adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the Martin 00 17S.
Overall, the rosewood bridge is an important component of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. It contributes to the guitar’s warm, rich sound, its durability, its responsiveness, and its overall aesthetic appeal.
7. Scale Length
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a scale length of 24.9″. The scale length of a guitar is the distance between the nut and the bridge. It is a critical factor in determining the guitar’s sound, feel, and playability.
A shorter scale length, such as 24.9″, results in a guitar with a lower string tension. This makes the guitar easier to play, especially for beginners or players with smaller hands. It also gives the guitar a warmer, richer sound with less brightness and projection.
The 24.9″ scale length of the Martin 00 17S makes it a great choice for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters. It is also a good choice for players who want a guitar that is easy to play and has a warm, rich sound.
Here is a table that summarizes the key insights about the connection between “Scale Length: 24.9″” and “martin 00 17s acoustic guitar”:
| Scale Length: 24.9″ | Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| String Tension | Lower | Lower |
| Playability | Easier to play | Easier to play |
| Sound | Warmer, richer | Warmer, richer |
| Projection | Less | Less |
| Best Suited For | Fingerstyle playing, singer-songwriters | Fingerstyle playing, singer-songwriters |
Overall, the scale length is an important component of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. It contributes to the guitar’s easy playability, warm, rich sound, and suitability for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters.
8. Number of Frets
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features 12 frets. The number of frets on a guitar is a critical factor in determining the gui
tar’s sound, playability, and versatility.
A guitar with fewer frets, such as 12, has a shorter scale length. This results in a guitar with lower string tension, which makes it easier to play, especially for beginners or players with smaller hands. It also gives the guitar a warmer, richer sound with less brightness and projection.
Guitars with 12 frets also have a different voicing than guitars with more frets. The 12th fret on a 12-fret guitar is located at the octave of the open string, which gives the guitar a more resonant and balanced sound. This makes 12-fret guitars a popular choice for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters.
However, guitars with 12 frets have a limited range compared to guitars with more frets. This can be a disadvantage for players who want to play in higher registers or who use a lot of extended techniques.
Overall, the number of frets is an important component of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. It contributes to the guitar’s warm, rich sound, its easy playability, and its suitability for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters.
Here is a table that summarizes the key insights about the connection between “Number of Frets: 12” and “martin 00 17s acoustic guitar”:
| Number of Frets: 12 | Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale Length | Shorter | Shorter |
| String Tension | Lower | Lower |
| Playability | Easier to play | Easier to play |
| Sound | Warmer, richer | Warmer, richer |
| Projection | Less | Less |
| Best Suited For | Fingerstyle playing, singer-songwriters | Fingerstyle playing, singer-songwriters |
FAQs about the Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a popular choice for fingerstyle guitarists and singer-songwriters. It is known for its warm, rich sound and its comfortable playing feel. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar:
Question 1: What are the key features of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar?
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar features a 00-14 fret body shape, a solid mahogany top, solid mahogany back and sides, a select hardwood neck, a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, a 24.9″ scale length, and 12 frets.
Question 2: What is the sound of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar?
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar has a warm, rich sound with a strong midrange and clear treble. It is known for its articulate sound, which makes it a good choice for fingerstyle playing and singer-songwriters.
Question 3: How comfortable is the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar to play?
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is very comfortable to play. It has a low string tension, which makes it easy to fret, and its neck is smooth and satin-finished.
Question 4: What genres of music is the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar best suited for?
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres of music, but it is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, folk, blues, and singer-songwriter styles.
Question 5: What is the price of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar?
The price of the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar varies depending on the retailer, but it typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,000.
Question 6: Where can I buy the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar?
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar can be purchased from a variety of retailers, both online and in-store. Some popular retailers include Guitar Center, Sweetwater, and Musician’s Friend.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact a local music store or visit the Martin website.
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a well-made, versatile guitar that is perfect for fingerstyle guitarists and singer-songwriters. It has a warm, rich sound, a comfortable playing feel, and a beautiful aesthetic. If you are looking for a high-quality acoustic guitar that will last for many years, the Martin 00 17S is a great option.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Martin 00 17S Acoustic Guitar
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a versatile and well-crafted instrument that can be used for a variety of genres of music. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Martin 00 17S:
Tip 1: Use the right strings. The type of strings you use can have a significant impact on the sound of your guitar. For the Martin 00 17S, we recommend using light-gauge strings, such as Martin’s SP Custom Light strings. These strings will give you a bright, clear sound with good intonation.
Tip 2: Get a good setup. A proper setup can make a big difference in the playability and sound of your guitar. A good setup will involve adjusting the action, intonation, and truss rod. We recommend taking your guitar to a qualified luthier to get a professional setup.
Tip 3: Experiment with different playing styles. The Martin 00 17S is a versatile guitar that can be played in a variety of styles. Try experimenting with different picking techniques, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking styles to find the sounds that you like best.
Tip 4: Use a humidifier. If you live in a dry climate, it is important to use a humidifier to protect your guitar from damage. A humidifier will help to keep the wood of your guitar from drying out and cracking.
Tip 5: Take care of your guitar. The Martin 00 17S is a valuable instrument, so it is important to take care of it. Be sure to store your guitar in a climate-controlled environment and to clean it regularly. With proper care, your Martin 00 17S will provide you with years of enjoyment.
By following these tips, you can get the most out of your Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar and enjoy its warm, rich sound and comfortable playing feel for many years to come.
Conclusion
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a versatile and well-crafted instrument that is perfect for fingerstyle guitarists and singer-songwriters. It has a warm, rich sound, a comfortable playing feel, and a beautiful aesthetic. If you are looking for a high-quality acoustic guitar that will last for many years, the Martin 00 17S is a great option.
In this article, we have explored the Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar in detail. We have discussed its history, construction, sound, playability, and value. We have also provided some tips on how to get the most out of your Martin 00 17S. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative.
The Martin 00 17S acoustic guitar is a truly special instrument. It is a guitar that is built to last and to be played for generations to come. If you are lucky enough to own a Martin 00 17S, cherish it and enjoy its beautiful music for many years to come.
