Sold!
Description

This 1931 Martin 2-17 (SN 46640) has suffered from damage and neglect but is repairable and a worthy project.  I will describe every issue I can identify with the guitar, please read the description thoroughly and ask questions before you buy.   I'll start off with the good things:  the guitar is all original including bridge, saddle, celluloid tortoise pickguard, nut, tuners, bar frets, all interior bracing and finish.  The neck is straight, no twist or bow, and the frets have plenty of height and are in good condition.  The original bridge has never been cut down and is secure to the top.  The back bracing is undamaged and secure save for the 1st brace being loose on one end.  Top bracing is in good condition in spite of the body damage, I can find only one small crack in one of the tone bars.  Now for the worst of it...the body has sustained significant damage to the mahogany sides and top.  Both sides have substantial cracks around the lower bouts.  On the bass side there is evidence of a prior repair attempt in the form of dried glue on the surface of the side and part of the crack.  On the treble side it does not appear that any attempt was ever made to repair the cracks other than tape.  In fact, duct tape was used all over the various cracks on the guitar, and the white-ish residue evident on the surface of the finish in some of the pics is old adhesive from the tape that remains on the finish.  SHould remove easily with Naptha or similar mild solvent.  The top has edge damage and several cracks at the lower bout on both sides.  On the bass side of the top there are three cracks that appear to have been glued in the past (dry glue on the surface) but all are loose and need to be re-done.  On the treble side of the top there is a piece broken away that is no longer present.  A new piece of mahogany will need to be grafted on to make up that deficit.  In addition, the top has come loose from the rim/sides where the cracks/edge damage is on the bass side.   The kerfed lining on the inside at this location is intact.  There is one hairline back crack of about 3" in length that will require repair. The neck angle will need to be reset and the entire guitar will need a good cleaning (except for the interior, which is oddly clean for a guitar so abused).  So...it needs love and labor, I just don't have the time nor the room for it in my shop and schedule.  DUE TO CONDITION THIS IS AN AS-IS SALE. I WILL ONLY ACCEPT A RETURN UNDER CONDITION THAT THE ITEM IS DEMONSTRABLY DIFFERENT THAN DESCRIBED AND PICTURED IN THIS LISTING.   I have done my best to describe the item accurately and photograph all of the issues.  If you have questions make sure you ask them before you buy, not after.   It will ship in a cheapo chipboard case that's too big.  Ships to US addresses only, no international shipping. NY state residents add 8% sales tax.

Kovacik Guitars and Fretted Instrument Repair

Kovacik Guitars and Fretted Instrument Repair

1931
Martin
Poor
Soft
19 Years
Kovacik Guitars and Fretted Instrument Repair
Steven Kovacik
Scotia, NY
11:20 PM
By appointment

Money order, personal check (must clear before item ships), cashier check, wire transfer, Paypal.

I generally ship by UPS and will ship an item within 48 hours (usually the next day) of having received or cleared payment. Exact shipping costs will be added to the total for the buyer once the buyer has provided a shipping address. I insure everything for fulll purchase price.

Items are sold with a 48 hour approval period unless clearly marked "AS IS" in the listing. AS IS items are not returnable. If an item is going to be returned it is at the buyer's expense and the item must be shipped within 24 hours of the buyer notifying Kovacik Guitars of intent to return. Any returned items must be shipped in the original packaging and MUST be fully insured when returned. Once an item is returned to Kovacik Guitars and judged to be in the same condition as when originally sold a full refund will be issued.