The 1930 Martin 00-17 is a small-bodied acoustic guitar constructed entirely of mahogany, including the top, back, and sides, giving it a warm and direct tonal character. The body is built in Martin’s 00 size, with a 14 5/16-inch lower bout and a depth of approximately 4 inches, making it comfortable to hold and suited for fingerstyle or light strumming. The top is finished in a dark brown stain typical of the 17 series, with simple appointments that emphasise utility and function over ornamentation.

The neck is made of mahogany and joined to the body with a dovetail neck joint, supporting a rosewood fingerboard with 12 frets clear of the body. The scale length is 24.9 inches, and the nut measures around 1 7/8 inches, reflecting pre-war specifications. Position markers are simple dots, and the headstock carries a rosewood veneer fitted with open-gear tuners, completing the understated aesthetic.

Hardware and appointments remain minimal, with an ebony belly bridge and ebony bridge pins, in keeping with Martin’s style for the 17 series at the time. There is no body binding, giving the instrument a clean and straightforward look. The 1930 00-17 represents Martin’s pre-war craftsmanship, combining solid mahogany construction with traditional build techniques that defined the era.