1938 Martin 0-17T Tenor -- ah, what a joy

[Jake Wildwood]

So, in the past couple years I've let 3 (three!) nice all-mahogany Martin tenors escape my grasp. I'm holding on to this one for at least a little bit!

Big, warm, round tone. It even sounds great with the GHS "brite flats" I like for the wound strings -- sort of like using a set of worn-in strings but no finger noise.

I don't see a lot of pre-war Martin tenors coming through in totally crack-free shape so I figured folks might like to see a few shots. It's, of course, tuned to GDAE, but I like an unwound A (17 or 18).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxuSGT6cWFM/UUpMzYiIrOI/AAAAAAAAi80/1kt5mWTQco4/s1600/osevt-1.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7SYKyx1PjSo/UUpM24kXAfI/AAAAAAAAi9U/1wLaYTY5Ikc/s1600/osevt-7.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dz6Vk-_xxlU/UUpM2QP7VjI/AAAAAAAAi9E/n74BfdtDqA8/s1600/osevt-8.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lq3aOps9dM/UUpNG48mTxI/AAAAAAAAi94/8EcS3oaB9R0/s1600/osevt-13.jpg

The original blog post can be found here... (http://antebelluminstruments.blogspot.com/2013/03/c1938-martin-0-17t-tenor-guitar.html)

[FL Dawg]

Looks great, those are wonderful tenors. I love the tuners on that one.

How about a shot of the bracing/tonebars? Would be interesting to see that.

[billhay4]

Nice score, Jake. I want.
Bill

[Charles E.]

I had one like that, I sold it to one of my good friends for $250.oo about 18 years ago. I still get to play it once in awhile. A lovely little guitar.

[Jake Wildwood]

Hey guys, danke--!

Also, I can't wait to see how this cuts the mustard this weekend at the jam. I'm used to playing guitar-style stuff on a zingy 30s Gibson archtop guit but I'm hoping with the volume this guy has that I can do lead work with it instead. My head is a lot freer in fifths tunings...

But that aside, I'll see if I can get a pic of the bracing. It's Martin's standard X for the time but it's shoved-up quite close to the soundhole. And as far as the tuners -- yeah, old open-gear Grovers from that time are hard to beat. They just keep on ticking. I haven't tuned this up since I finished setup on it...!

[Levi]

The finish is just beautiful. Aged to perfection.