A style-17 Martin can be a fantastic gateway guitar for those interested in the world of vintage instruments. Their woody, dry & focused tone provides the sort of warmth that just can't be found in a new guitar; and a nice example from the 1940's & 50's can often compete with the price point of similarly constructed all-Mahogany boutique flattops. This 1952 00-17 is relatively issue free, and plays beautifully thanks to a new neck set. The sound is thick and full for a 00-17, and it takes well to both a singer-songwriter's fingerstyle attack and flatpicking a la Dave Rawlings.