1870s C.F. Martin 2 1/2-17 Parlor Guitar – Brazilian Rosewood – Bar Frets – Original Case
There are guitars, and then there are artifacts. This Martin 2 1/2-17 dates to the 1870s — built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania by C.F. Martin and Sons before serial numbers existed, at a time when the American parlor guitar was at the center of domestic musical life. The Style 17 was introduced in 1856 and offered in sizes 2 1/2 and 3, and this size 2 1/2 is the more common of the two — though common is a relative term when you are talking about guitars that are now pushing 150 years old. The construction reflects the building practices of the era: spruce top with fan bracing, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, maple neck with the distinctive ice cream cone heel that is one of the clearest dating markers of this period, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, and bar frets — the wide, flat fret wire that preceded T-frets and gives these old instruments a playing feel unlike anything made after the early twentieth century. The Brazilian rosewood on this example is particularly fine — tight, straight grain with the deep, complex figure that you simply cannot source today at any price. These guitars were designed for gut strings and the parlor setting, but what they do tonally — that glassy, lyrical, intimate voice with extraordinary string separation — has drawn players and collectors to them for generations.
This one is in fantastic shape for its age and plays well. The action sits at approximately 6/64 on the high E and a touch above 8/64 on the low E at the body fret — comfortable and musical. There are numerous crack repairs throughout the top and body, as is entirely expected and normal on a guitar of this age, all done very nicely and none beyond basic crack repairs. There is a crack repair at the headstock running from the nut to the tuning peg slot — this has been properly repaired and does not compromise the strength of the neck in any way. The finish quality is good, the bar frets are in nice shape, and the whole instrument has the feel of something that has been well cared for across its long life.
The original case is in amazing shape for its age — and it carries what may be one of the coolest stickers we have ever seen: a Boston Express label that is worth the price of admission all by itself.
A note on strings and setup: 19th century Martins were built for gut strings. Silk and steel or light tension classical strings are appropriate for this instrument. Steel strings are not recommended.
- Make: C.F. Martin and Sons
- Model: 2 1/2-17
- Era: 1870s (pre-serial number; dated by construction details including ice cream cone heel and fan bracing)
- Country of origin: USA (Nazareth, PA)
- Body size: 2 1/2
- Top: Spruce
- Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood
- Bracing: Fan braced
- Neck: Maple, ice cream cone heel
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Bridge: Ebony
- Frets: Bar frets
- Scale length: 24.5"
- Tuners: Original friction pegs
- Modifications: None beyond documented repairs
- Repairs: Numerous professionally done crack repairs throughout; crack repair at headstock from nut to tuning peg slot, properly repaired and structurally sound
- Action: Approximately 6/64 high E, slightly above 8/64 low E at body fret
- Condition: Used Very Good – nice shape for age, all repairs well executed, plays well
- Includes: Original case with Boston Express sticker
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
