1937 Martin 0-17 Acoustic Guitar

Description

This Martin 0-17 dates from mid-1937, when all-mahogany guitar models kept the company afloat during the depths of the Great Depression. Unlike most of the instruments Gryphon lists on eBay, this 0-17 is fully playable and sounds great but it's from an estate and must be sold quickly.  Our problem is that the bridge is cracked and needs to be replaced, while our repair dept. is too back-logged to keep everybody happy.
Let's start with the good news: The original tuners are complete and all work well.  The neck is 1 3/4 inches wide at the nut and has been refretted as well as reset. String scale is Martin's standard short scale: 24.9 inches and this old Martin plays well but note the finger divots behind the first 3 frets. The top bracing is all original, including the bridge plate, and there are no breaks or additions. Top has been oversprayed, and probably refinished, but both the top and back are full thickness with no soft spots, there's no significant bulge behind the bridge. Neck block is stamped "0-17" with the serial number "66834" beneath the model code.
Now for the less-good news:  While the neck, top, and back of this 0-17 have survived in good shape the sides have seen some serious cracks.  There are lots of reinforcements on the inner sides, and it looks like the back has been off because in red ink beneath the bridge plate is neatly written "T-T RP 9-26-83". There are lots of white glue drips on the sides, and the back edge, where the back joins the sides, is more rounded than a usual all-mahogany Martin model.  The pickguard is obviously not original. The rosewood bridge is the correct size and shape and may be original, but it's cracked through the bottom of the saddle slot so the front edge is bulged forward, and the bridge is loose from the top as well. This is a great sounding guitar that plays well as is. All it needs is a replacement bridge to give it a new lease on life. Includes an oversize velvet-lined chipboard case from the late 1960s.
We ship on the Tuesday following the end of the Sunday auctions.