Dread Not!
Can you imagine a world without dreadnought acoustic guitars? It seems like an impossible exercise given the way the Martin dreadnought has become interwoven with the musicological fabric of America. But until Christian Fredericks Martin built the first large-bodied acoustic in 1916, there was no such thing as a dreadnought! Named for the largest, most fearsome battleship in the world at the time (the H.M.S. Dreadnought), the original examples were commissioned by a publishing house in Boston called the Oliver Ditson Company, and they were marketed as Ditsons with non-Martin serial numbers in New York and Boston only.
Once C.F. Martin realized that this whole dreadnought thing was going to take off, he started stamping his own name on the headstock of a guitar called the D-1 in 1931. The D-1 quickly morphed into the dreadnought as we now know it, and apart from a few small tweaks to the bracing and the addition of a 14-fret neck, it has remained mostly unchanged ever since. Why fix something so decidedly unbroken? After all, the Martin dreadnought has long been a staple at open mics, bluegrass jams, rock shows, and recording studios for a reason: it has a timeless sound that seems to resonate with the heartstrings of any musician who picks one up.
The Golden Era of Mahogany Tone
Here at Wildwood Guitars, we love ornate, flashy guitars. But we also have equally deep, abiding affection for elegant, simple instruments that don't need crazy bling to get the job done with aplomb. That's why we're so proud to present the Martin D-17, one of the most timeless Martin guitars ever to grace our shelves.
Based on the World War II-era 15 series models that debuted in late 1939, the D-17 brings vintage-inspired Martin tone into the modern era with immense grace and style. However, unlike its 15 series cousin, the D-17 features Golden Era scalloped bracing, which gives it an unbelievably dynamic, responsive voice and a more vintage-style response. It also has a wider 1 3/4" nut width, wider bridge string spacing (2 5/32"), making for a roomy playing experience.
Martin's all-mahogany instruments are favored by discerning players because of their superior playability and craftsmanship, affordable price point, and warm, rich tone. Now, the Golden Era bracing delivers a level of warmth and touch-sensitivity that will leave you glued to your favorite pickin' chair or couch for hours and hours at an unbelievable value. Let's take a deeper dive and see what makes the D-17 so alluring.
Solid Wood Magic
The biggest part of the D-17's appeal lies in its all-solid mahogany body. There is simply nothing like a Martin acoustic guitar made of high-quality solid wood. Solid wood resonates and breathes almost as if it is alive in your hands, giving you a tactile, physical connection to the instrument. You can feel the guitar vibrate in your ribs, your gut, and your heart, and it makes for a divinely inspiring, out-of-this-world playing experience. You'll have to forgive me for getting a little ecstatic and poetic here, but it really is special that such an affordable instrument provides such deeply satisfying sonic delights!
High on the 'Hog
Speaking of delightful things, let's talk mahogany. Mahogany is most often seen singing backup to a spruce top in the world of acoustic guitars, but here it makes the most of its time in the spotlight. This classic tonewood is known for its fast response time, warmth, roundness, depth, and dryness, and the D-17 exhibits all of these characteristics in spades. In fact, it's quite easy to get lost in the rapture of the deep when playing with one of these guitars! Mahogany's welcoming warm chocolate-y bass response, rich woody midrange, and transparent, round trebles create a sonic atmosphere that invites your fingers to wander the fretboard for days.
Furthermore, each note practically jumps out of the soundhole the instant your finger or pick touches the string, making for a wonderfully expressive playing experience. The midrange is also quite responsive, and playing hard gives you that classic Martin punch on single-notes. Also, you can get a surprising amount of sparkle when you play big cowboy chords with vigor.
Avoiding the Mud
Mahogany's reputation for warmth and woodiness can cause some guitar players trepidation at the looming threat of muddiness. However, clarity-conscious players need not worry, because the D-17 sidesteps the dreaded muck. Mahogany's inherent harmonic dryness keeps the sound quite focused. The D-17 has a sculpted frequency response profile that emphasizes the fundamentals with great force. So, each note on each string of your favorite fancy jazz chord sings out clearly.
A Wooden Swiss Army Knife
A literal wooden Swiss Army Knife would be the worst invention ever, but it is an apt metaphor for the multi-faceted nature of the D-17. This is an acoustic guitar that can do it all! It has all the power you'd expect from a great Martin dread, and its warm voice fill the room. Its midrange-forward character makes it a solid building block for other instruments when used for rhythm parts. But, it can also cut through a mix when you need to take a lead. Its warmth will inspire jazzy excursions, yet its earthiness will also provoke gutsy blues playing. And, its rich voice is sure to inspire countless expressive solos. Perhaps most importantly, its focused frequency response complements the human voice beautifully. Oh, and sound engineers love it, because it records like a dream.
We are proud to showcase such an exceptional instrument. We believe that the Martin D-17 provides legendary tone at a player-friendly price. For that, we love it with the intensity of a thousand suns. We invite you to pick one up and experience the myriad magical delights of a solid wood Martin. Whatever your musical pleasure may be, the D-17 will prove an endlessly inspiring muse on all your acoustic adventures.
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