Overview of the Martin 000-17 Black Smoke
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke is the latest addition to Martin’s popular 000-17 series of auditorium acoustic guitars. First introduced in 2019, the 000-17 line revived the classic 000 shape that Martin originally created in the 1920s as a smaller, more comfortable alternative to dreadnoughts.
The 000-17 Black Smoke stands out with its sleek satin black finish and vintage-inspired appointments. Unlike the other 000-17 models with their high-gloss finishes, this Black Smoke version has an understated, matte black look. The top is solid Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are solid mahogany, giving it a balanced and articulate tone.
Other specifications include a Performing Artist taper neck for smooth playability, an unbound rosewood fingerboard and bridge, nickel open-gear tuners, and Martin’s Fishman Matrix VT Enhance pickup system. Overall, the 000-17 Black Smoke combines vintage vibe with modern playability for fingerstyle players who want classic Martin tone in a comfortable, stage-ready package.
Body & Neck
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke features the classic 000 auditorium body shape, with dimensions of 15 inches wide, 4 1/4 inches deep, and a total length of 20 1/4 inches. This makes it slightly wider and deeper than a traditional concert or parlor size, providing enhanced volume, projection and bass response.
The top is solid Sitka spruce, which is a popular choice for acoustic guitars thanks to its strength, lightness and excellent resonance. Sitka spruce provides crisp treble notes with complex overtones. The back and sides are solid mahogany, which adds warmth and sweetness to the overall tone. Mahogany is also a fairly lightweight wood that helps project the sound.
The neck is constructed from select hardwood and has a smooth, rounded profile that feels comfortable and natural in the hand. It has Martin’s Performing Artist taper, meaning it gets progressively thinner as it approaches the body. This taper combined with the low oval neck shape makes playing up and down the rosewood fingerboard an effortless experience.
As another vintage-inspired detail, the fingerboard and bridge are both unbound rosewood. Rosewood offers a responsive, articulate tone while also adding some visual elegance. Overall the materials and craftsmanship of the neck allow for smooth, buzz-free playing.
Sound & Tone
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke delivers the balanced, warm, and articulate tone that Martin aficionados have come to expect from the mahogany and spruce wood combination. The all-solid wood construction produces impressive projection and volume for an auditorium-sized acoustic. While not as booming as a dreadnought, the 000-17’s smaller body shape provides a focused and clear sound with delightful overtones in the mid and high ranges.
The solid Sitka spruce top contributes to the brightness and clarity in the treble and mids, while the solid mahogany back and sides add low-end warmth and richness to the tone. The mahogany’s natural compression also helps to control overtones for a smooth and balanced EQ across the tonal spectrum. Fingerstyle players will appreciate the clear note separation for complex passages.
Compared to Martin’s iconic D-28 dreadnought, the 000-17 Black Smoke offers a more controlled and intimate voice. While the D-28 provides tremendous punch and high SPL capability, the 000-17 delivers exceptional nuance and responsiveness. The sound projects with authority but has a vintage parlor-like vibe. The 000-17 also compares favorably to Martin’s 000-18 model, with slightly more articulation and top-end shimmer from its solid spruce top. Overall, the 000-17 Black Smoke acoustically conveys subtlety and finesse.
Hardware & Electronics
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke comes equipped with quality hardware and electronics to enhance its acoustic tone when plugged in. It features nickel open-gear tuners with vintage-style butterbean knobs that provide precise and smooth tuning stability.
The guitar has a Fishman Matrix VT Enhance pickup system, which is a blend undersaddle and soundhole pickup design. The undersaddle pickup captures the guitar’s natural acoustic tone, while the soundhole pickup adds volume and richness to the output. There are built-in volume and tone controls discretely mounted inside the soundhole for quick adjustments on the fly.
Overall, the plugged-in sound quality of the 000-17 Black Smoke is impressive, with excellent feedback rejection thanks to the Matrix VT Enhance system. The guitar maintains the articulate and balanced acoustic tone when amplified, with the undersaddle pickup capturing the nuances. The volume and tone controls allow shaping the EQ to fit any amplified situation. The Fishman electronics make this an extremely stage-friendly acoustic-electric guitar.
Aesthetics & Finish
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke stands out for its unique aesthetics and eye-catching finish. It features a satin black smoke nitrocellulose finish that gives it a vintage, understated look compared to most glossy acoustic guitars.
The black smoke finish has an almost velvety appearance, with the wood grain visible through the thin satin coating. This is contrasted by grained ivoroid binding around the top and back which adds a classic vintage touch. There are also antique white accents on the rosette and heel cap providing a subtle pop of color.
Overall, the look is sleek and refined but also different than a typical acoustic guitar. Most Martins utilize a high-gloss finish, so the satin black smoke makes the 000-17 immediately recognizable. It has a vibe that hearkens back to guitars of the 1930s and 40s before the advent of heavy lacquers and thick polyurethane finishes.
The unique finish and vintage appointments give the 000-17 Black Smoke a truly one-of-a-kind aesthetic. It manages to feel both vintage and modern at the same time. For players looking for a guitar that stands out visually, the 000-17 Black Smoke is sure to grab attention.
Playability
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke is designed for comfortable, easy playability. The neck has a nicely rounded profile that fits nicely in the hand. It’s not too slim or too chunky, making it suitable for players with smaller or larger hands.
Out of the box, the action is set low without any buzzing. The strings sit close to the fretboard, allowing for easy pressing down without undue finger effort. The action can be adjusted easily by any qualified luthier or guitar tech if needed, but the factory setup is ideal for most players.
The fingerboard itself is smooth ebony which feels very responsive under the fingers. Bends, slides, and vibrato come easily on the 000-17’s fingerboard. The unbound edges give it a vintage vibe too.
With its comfortable neck profile, low action, and smooth fingerboard, the 000-17 Black Smoke suits a wide variety of playing styles. It’s a great choice for fingerstyle thanks to the clear note definition. Strumming chords is effortless as well. The guitar also handles flatpicking lead lines with ease. Overall, the 000-17 offers versatile playability for various techniques.
Value & Collectibility
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke has a current street price of around $2,499, which offers excellent value for a handmade, solid wood acoustic guitar of this caliber. Compared to similar premium auditorium models from Taylor (414ce) and Gibson (Hummingbird Studio) in this price range, the 000-17 punches above its class in terms of craftsmanship, materials, and tone.
While not as instantly collectible as more expensive and limited Martin models like D-45s or D-28s, the 000-17 Black Smoke has appeal among Martin aficionados and collectors looking for a unique modern take on a vintage classic. As a limited edition model with an eye-catching satin finish, it stands out in the Martin line and has the potential to become more collectible over time. The smaller production numbers also make this a rarer find compared to core Martin models.
For those seeking a great all-around acoustic with vintage vibe that will age gracefully, the 000-17 Black Smoke is an appealing choice. The solid wood construction and lifetime warranty provide peace of mind for long-term ownership as well. Whether bought new or pre-owned, this model will hold its value thanks to the Martin name, quality materials, and attractive aesthetics. For Martin collectors or those starting a collection, the 000-17 Black Smoke is a smart addition.
Video Demo
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This in-depth video review from Acoustic Guitar Magazine provides an excellent demo of the Martin 000-17 Black Smoke’s sound, playability, and visual aesthetics. Filmed in both indoor and outdoor settings, the demo showcases the guitar’s balanced and articulate tone across various musical styles. From fingerstyle runs to flatpicking, the video highlights the Black Smoke’s versatility. The crisp and focused sound of the solid Sitka spruce top is evident, with the solid mahogany back and sides providing a smooth warmth and resonance. The camerawork also gives viewers a closeup look at the satin black finish and vintage-inspired appointments that give this model its unique visual flair. Overall, this is an informative video that allows potential buyers to hear and see the impressive 000-17 Black Smoke in action.
Ideal Customer
The Martin 000-17 Black Smoke is ideally suited for intermediate to advanced acoustic guitar players looking for a finely crafted instrument with vintage appeal. While suitable for all playing styles, this model really shines for fingerstyle and folk players who appreciate the balanced, articulate tone of a smaller-bodied guitar.
The satin finish and understated aesthetics also make it a great fit for working musicians who want a professional-grade acoustic that looks elegantly vintage on stage. The Fishman pickup system provides flexibility for plugging in, so the 000-17 Black Smoke is a versatile choice for gigging and recording.
Due to the smaller auditorium body size, this model works well for players with smaller frames who find some dreadnoughts too bulky. The comfortable neck profile and low action facilitate complex fingerstyle techniques.
Ultimately, the 000-17 Black Smoke most suits acoustic guitarists who love the vintage vibe and craftsmanship of Martin guitars, but want the modern playability and amplified capabilities as well. Players who crave an articulate, balanced tone will appreciate this model.
Musical Styles
The versatile auditorium body shape and balanced tone of the Martin 000-17 Black Smoke make it a great fit for a wide variety of musical genres and playing styles. The mahogany back and sides give it a pleasing warmth and resonance, while the spruce top provides articulation and clarity. This combination works well for:
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Folk: The 000-17 has the balanced, organic tone that has defined the folk genre for decades. It’s an ideal guitar for playing folk music, allowing the nuance of fingerstyle techniques to shine.
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Country: The smooth, rich voice of the 000-17 suits country music from classic country and Americana to modern crossover styles. It has the warmth to accompany vocals and the crispness to cut through a mix.
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Blues: Thanks to the comfortable neck, low action and resonant tone, the 000-17 is a natural blues machine. It’s perfect for playing Delta blues, Chicago blues, blues rock and more.
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Bluegrass: The 000-17 has the projection and articulation to keep up with fast bluegrass playing. The auditorium body gives it the punch and presence often desired in bluegrass bands.
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Jazz: While not a full-blown jazz box, the 000-17 can hold its own for mellow jazz comping and chord melody playing. The balanced tone allows jazz chords to ring clearly.
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Indie/Alternative: The Black Smoke’s unique look and vintage vibe make it a compelling choice for indie rockers and alternative players looking for a warm, woody acoustic tone.
From intimate folk gigs to amplifying with a band on stage, the 000-17 Black Smoke is at home in a wide range of musical environments. Its versatile sound and easy playability allow it to adapt to whatever a guitarist needs.