1928 Martin 5-17T
A remarkably inviting small tenor guitar, built during Martin’s golden era. Size 5 was Martin’s smallest guitar size in the 1920s, which translated nicely for tenor guitar production. The 5-17 6 string guitar featured a shorter scale length and was tuned a 3rd up from standard pitch, but the shorter 22.5” scale tenor neck was a perfect match for the size 5’s smaller proportions.
This example has a lot of character and has seen plenty of use. Its top is fairly playworn, and there are plenty of dings and scratches on the body. That said, it is in great shape, structurally speaking, and has no top or back cracks or significant repairs, original bridge and bridge plate, and its original finish has never been touched up. There are two small side cracks, and a few back brace ends have been cleanly reglued. The neck was reset at some point and there is a bit of steam damage to the heel’s finish. More recently the guitar has been fitted with a new bone saddle and has been set up with low G tuning in our shop.
All-mahogany unbound body with scalloped X bracing, 19 fret neck with rosewood fingerboard and bar frets, rosewood bridge, bone saddle, ebony nut, Grover Planetary tuners, and Made in USA stamp on the back of the headstock. This guitar was originally sold through Mason & Risch in Toronto, and bears that distributor’s decal on the front side of the headstock.
Nut width that’s a bit wider than 1-3/16”, octave mandolin tuning, fairly low original bar frets have been dressed and play cleanly, comfortable 5-6 64ths action.
With original chipboard case
The buyer can upgrade to a new Martin-branded Size 5 hardshell case (pictured here) at additional cost if preferred.
This example has a lot of character and has seen plenty of use. Its top is fairly playworn, and there are plenty of dings and scratches on the body. That said, it is in great shape, structurally speaking, and has no top or back cracks or significant repairs, original bridge and bridge plate, and its original finish has never been touched up. There are two small side cracks, and a few back brace ends have been cleanly reglued. The neck was reset at some point and there is a bit of steam damage to the heel’s finish. More recently the guitar has been fitted with a new bone saddle and has been set up with low G tuning in our shop.
All-mahogany unbound body with scalloped X bracing, 19 fret neck with rosewood fingerboard and bar frets, rosewood bridge, bone saddle, ebony nut, Grover Planetary tuners, and Made in USA stamp on the back of the headstock. This guitar was originally sold through Mason & Risch in Toronto, and bears that distributor’s decal on the front side of the headstock.
Nut width that’s a bit wider than 1-3/16”, octave mandolin tuning, fairly low original bar frets have been dressed and play cleanly, comfortable 5-6 64ths action.
With original chipboard case
The buyer can upgrade to a new Martin-branded Size 5 hardshell case (pictured here) at additional cost if preferred.