Pricing and availability
Average Price: $1,572
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Martin 000-17SM is a harmonious blend of vintage charm and modern craftsmanship, making it a must-have for any serious acoustic guitarist. Rooted in the iconic Martin legacy, this guitar brings the past to life with its 12-fret design—a nod to early Style 17 guitars that promises powerful projection and a naturally balanced tone. Its tight body shape is not just an aesthetic choice but a functional one, offering an intimate and resonant sound that both fingerstyle players and strummers will appreciate.
Crafted with a Sitka spruce top, the 000-17SM delivers outstanding projection while retaining clarity even when played forcefully. Complementing this is the solid mahogany back and sides, which add warmth and a full-bodied tone to your playing. The combination of these tonewoods ensures that whether you're in the studio or on stage, your sound will be distinct and captivating.
The guitar's select hardwood Modified-Low-Oval neck and solid Morado fingerboard offer a comfortable playing experience, while the vintage slotted East Indian rosewood headstock and nickel open-geared tuners with ivoroid knobs add elegant touches to its distinctive vintage vibe.
Whether you're a session guitarist looking for an instrument that sits perfectly in any mix or a performer seeking an acoustic guitar that stands out both sonically and visually, the Martin 000-17SM is your perfect match.
Key Features:
- 12-fret design for enhanced projection and tonal balance
- Solid Sitka spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides
- Shaded gloss top; satin neck, back, and sides
- Select hardwood Modified-Low-Oval-profile neck with solid Morado fingerboard
- Solid Morado Belly-style bridge
- Nickel open-geared tuners with ivoroid knobs
- Includes a hardshell case for protection
Product specs
| Brand | Martin |
| Model | 000-17SM 12-Fret |
| Finish | Sunburst |
| Year | 2013 - 2015 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | OM and Auditorium Acoustic Guitars |
| Active Preamp | No |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | 000 |
| Color Family | Orange |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Composite |
| Model Family | Martin 000-17 |
| Model Sub-Family | Martin 000-17S |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | None |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Martin 16 / 17 Series |
| Sides Material | Mahogany |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Mahogany |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What type of music genres is the Martin 000-17SM best suited for?
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The Martin 000-17SM, with its mahogany body and Sitka spruce top, produces a warm, balanced tone, making it ideal for fingerstyle, folk, and blues genres.
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How does the neck profile of the Martin 000-17SM affect playability?
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The Martin 000-17SM features a modded low oval neck shape, offering comfortable playability for both chords and intricate fingerstyle playing.
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Does the Martin 000-17SM come with a built-in pickup for amplification?
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No, the Martin 000-17SM does not include a built-in pickup, making it a purely acoustic guitar designed for natural sound projection.
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What is the scale length of the Martin 000-17SM, and how does it impact the guitar's sound?
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The Martin 000-17SM has a 25.4" scale length, contributing to its bright, articulate tone and providing a comfortable string tension for various playing styles.
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Is the Martin 000-17SM suitable for live performances?
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While the Martin 000-17SM offers excellent acoustic sound quality, it lacks built-in electronics, so external amplification would be needed for live performances.
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What materials are used for the Martin 000-17SM's fingerboard and bridge?
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The fingerboard is made of solid black ebony, while the bridge is crafted from solid Morado, both contributing to the guitar's rich tonal quality and durability.
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Does the Martin 000-17SM come with a case?
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Yes, the Martin 000-17SM includes a hardshell case, providing protection and easy transport for the guitar.
Videos
Acoustic Letter
Martin 000-17SM Review - How does it sound?
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional tone from solid mahogany back and spruce top combination
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Great for fingerstyle and flat-picking, with excellent note separation
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Comfortable, fast neck with familiar feel for seasoned players
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Stunning aesthetics with slotted headstock and shaded top
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Ideal mid-range punch for live performances
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Great projection and volume for a smaller body guitar
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Unique 12-fret design enhances playability and sound
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Beautiful, woody tone with crisp mid and treble definition
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Discontinued rarity adds collectible appeal
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Outstanding value within its price range
CONS
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Discontinued model, hard to find new
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Personal preference for 12th fret inlay not met
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin 000-17SM.
Comparisons
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The Martin 000-15SM, although easier to find, is noted to have a less vibrant tone compared to the 000-17SM, which is described as fuller and more vibrant.
Source
Features and functionality
User experience
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There is a strong preference for the Martin sound over similar models, as one user regretted not buying the 15SM due to its superior sound quality in a specific setting.
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The slotted headstock not only adds aesthetic appeal but also enhances the tactile experience, making it a favorite among traditionalists.
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Owners enjoy the subtle glossy burst finish, which they find aesthetically pleasing without being overly ornate.
Source
Build quality
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The Martin 000-17SM has a distinctive scent that owners appreciate, adding to the overall sensory experience of playing the guitar.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this interview, it is confirmed that Chuck Ragan owns a Martin 000-17SM guitar
McCulloch can be seen throughout this interview holding and playing a Martin 000-17SM.
"This was my main stage guitar between ’05 and ’07 or ‘08. It was bought in ’05 as a replacement for the 17S that was stolen during the gear theft. I probably wrote a lot of stuff from The Crane Wife on it. You can see me playing it on the recent Live At The 9:30 Club video. Once I’d gravitated away from it, it served as a second guitar for The Hazards of Love tour."
In this youtube video, Gabrielle Aplin can be seen using a Martin 000-17SM acoustic guitar.
So I started writing on my acoustic. It's a pretty old beat up Martin 000-17. It's a Mahogany, small body kind of deal. And so I write a lot on that. I've never played it live and I don't plan on it - too many problems involved with drums and stuff.
"My main working guitar is a 1951 [Martin] 000-17, which is a fabulous little thing. It’s all mahogany, obviously, like the 17s were. If you think about it, in 1951, there was no wood around. It was just after World War II, the Korean War was about to kick in, so it was probably made out of old furniture. Some of the wood in that guitar could be 200 years old. In 1951, that guitar was $27, but it sounds fantastic. The definition is just stunning. And it’s small and it goes in the overheads on airplanes."
Album Usage
The Martin 000-17SM has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin 000-17SM, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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