Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,250

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

  • 5-17T (1927-49),
  • Twelve fret tenor guitar is very responsive and has a rich, round voice. All mahogany construction, Grover tuners, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

Product specs

Brand Martin
Model 5-17T Tenor
Finish Natural
Year 1927 - 1945
Made In United States
Categories Parlor Guitars, Tenor
Active Preamp No
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Parlor
Color Family Natural
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Martin 5-17
Model Sub-Family Martin 5-17T
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 4-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Martin 16 / 17 Series, Martin Pre-War Era
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What makes the Martin 5-17T Tenor a unique acoustic guitar?

The Martin 5-17T Tenor is unique due to its parlor body shape, mahogany back and sides, and spruce top, offering a warm, resonant tone. Its 4-string configuration is tailored for tenor guitar players, making it ideal for those seeking a distinctive sound and playing experience.

Is the Martin 5-17T Tenor suitable for beginners?

While the Martin 5-17T Tenor offers a unique playing experience, its 4-string setup might be more suitable for players familiar with tenor guitars. Beginners may find it challenging if they are accustomed to standard 6-string guitars.

What kind of music is the Martin 5-17T Tenor best suited for?

The Martin 5-17T Tenor is well-suited for folk, blues, and early jazz styles, thanks to its warm mahogany tone and compact body size. Its tenor tuning offers a unique sound that complements these genres beautifully.

Does the Martin 5-17T Tenor come with a pickup for amplification?

No, the Martin 5-17T Tenor does not come with a pickup. It is a purely acoustic instrument, ideal for unplugged performances and traditional acoustic settings.

What is the neck profile like on the Martin 5-17T Tenor?

The Martin 5-17T Tenor features a comfortable neck profile that suits the tenor guitar's 4-string configuration, making it accessible for players familiar with similar instruments. Its design facilitates ease of playability and smooth transitions across the fretboard.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin 5-17T.

Features and functionality

  • The Martin 5-17T is noted for its loud volume and bright tone despite its small, all-mahogany build, making it unique among vintage tenor guitars.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users typically tune the tenor guitar to GDAE for unique chord shapes, though DGBE and open tunings like Open A are also popular.

    Source
  • Owners often use the Martin 5-17T for folk and country blues, highlighting its suitability for genres that don't require extensive fret access.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Considered a more affordable entry into vintage Martin guitars, it’s often found at a price point accessible for those who can't afford pre-war models.

    Source

User experience

  • It's noted that the Martin 5-17T's neck is thinner than a baritone uke neck, which may affect playability preferences for certain players.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users wish for a Martin tenor guitar with a neck width similar to a baritone uke rather than the standard thin banjo neck for better comfort.

    Source

Critic Reviews

1930 Martin 5-17T - Peghead Nation

pegheadnation.com

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Neko Case uses Martin 5-17T

Neko Case

Music Producer, Guitarist

The New Pornographers

...
Verified via Photo

“I went to Vintage Instruments in Philadelphia,” she says. “They set me up with this Martin guitar (a 5-17T), the luthier put in a pickup for me and she was ready to go.” - Neko Case on her tenor guitar collection: Fretboard Journal #2 cover story (Summer 2006)

See how Seth Lakeman uses Martin 5-17T

Seth Lakeman

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Custom Edition, based on Seth's own Tenor guitar Original Page here: http://www.diana.dti.ne.jp/yutakahi/cara/tour/tenor_guitar_01.html More details here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS0Z_YrO-dM

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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