NGD: Martin DSS-17 Whiskey Sunset

[lowrider]

Loud and raw, and a blast to play.

It makes me want to play Commander Cody's ''Hot Rod Lincoln''!

[Goat Mick]

Congratulations on the new guitar!! I'm loving my 000-17 and I can't wait to give the DSS-17 a test run.

[lowrider]

Mick, if you try one, you're gonna want one. And want it bad!

Don't fret. You can get a great price from one of our sponsors.

[Pura Vida]

Congrats. Those are nice looking guitars. Play it loud and often!

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

First surprise with the DSS-17 is how light it is. Second surprise is how loud it is. Louder than the D-18 and J-45 I had. And even my D-41. It’s a Martin home run in my book...sweet and unique. But as much as I love mine I wouldn’t put it in the same category as a D-18 or J-45...and certainly not my D-41.

Pay close attention to the last line in Roy's opinion here.

[llew]

I agree...it's a no frills guitar but is great sounding and fun to play. I believe these newer Martin's 17 series were designed to go head to head against Collings Waterloo line. And having played/owned both I like the Martin's better. Certainly less expensive.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by llew

I agree...it's a no frills guitar but is great sounding and fun to play. I believe these newer Martin's 17 series were designed to go head to head against Collings Waterloo line. And having played/owned both I like the Martin's better. Certainly less expensive.

Good call, Jim. When I was doing research before ordering my DSS-17, one of the people I contacted was Spoon Phillips (who had played the guitar at NAMM) and he said the exact same thing. He particularly liked the Martin neck shape better as opposed to the Waterloo V necks...

[llew]

Roy the Waterloo Jumbo King WL-JK (their slope shoulder/jumbo model) sells for $2k+ if I recall correctly. The DSS-17 is about 2/3's the price and IMO it plays and sounds better.

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Mick, if you try one, you're gonna want one. And want it bad!

Don't fret. You can get a great price from one of our sponsors.

Now if I could just get one of the said sponsors to smooth it over with my wife....

[llew]

If you can pull that off Mick I hope you'll share your secret!

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by llew

If you can pull that off Mick I hope you'll share your secret!

I'm not that good, I can't believe I was able to pull off the 000-17 and she was there when I got it. The last time that happened was in 1994 when I got the Taylor 710. I'll be pushing 80 in another 24 years so I'm not going to hold my breath. LOL

[Kh1967]

Congratulations to you!

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Fantastic! What a cool model name, Whiskey Sunset. Enjoy.

Dru, "Whiskey Sunset" refers to the finish option, not the model. The 00-17S and the 000-17 are also available in the Whiskey Sunset finish, as well as their matte black Black Smoke finish.

Here's a comparison photo, with the Black Smoke to the left of the Whiskey Sunset finish:

˙˙˙

By the way, Tom, nice score! I'm sure you'll have a blast playing it.


Wade Hampton Miller

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

But as much as I love mine I wouldn’t put it in the same category as a D-18 or J-45...and certainly not my D-41.

How do you mean, exactly? Could you elaborate? Thank you!

[tgaume]

I will add this after having it for a few days:

I'm still amazed each time I pick it up with how light it is, and then I reach over the lower bout and feel that little bit more depth to the body than I'm used to. Not uncomfortable, but different.

I'm a big guy, 6'3, and 250 pounds, with huge hands. I notice just a little bit more finger room with the 1 3/4" nut with a 16" radius (Martin) vs. the 1 11/16 nut with a 12" radius (Gibson).

If they happen to build this in a 12 fret in the future, I'm a buyer.