1937 Martin 0-17 Guitar

When this 1937 0-17  serial number 68606 (Martin site) came into my shop it was in a sorry state  Due for a 90th birthday in 2027, time had finally caught up with it.

As a result the bridge and saddle has almost disappeared and there was a knitting needle shoved under the strings attached with epoxy glue. not an ideal solution.

It was ugly but all could be rectified by historical stringed instrument restorer Sachar Amos. Sachar skillfully brought this lovely little guitar into perfect playing condition once more. He reset the neck, made a new bridge with a slotted saddle and finally did a complete re-fret.

Back in 1937 this 0-17 was a very modest Martin but now it’s a precious gem that plays and intonates perfectly and after 89yrs is sounding better that ever did.

Surprisingly the guitar had no cracks or any dodgy repairs. It has some scars or patina which Sachar also softened a little.

It arrived with a magnetic Schaller pick-up in the soundhole which nowadays seems like sacrilege but those types of pick-ups were the go-to solution for a gigging musician. No one thought twice about drilling a jack plug hole in the side. Sachar practically made this disappear, matching colour and grain to the point you may not even notice it. All in all it’s a rare find here in Melbourne where you can come and played it for yourself.

Comes in a Hiscox case.

https://sacharamos.com/