In many ways, the Special-Edition Martin CEO-7 looks, feels, and sounds like a reissue of an iconic "Golden Era" Martin model—except Martin never made a model quite like it until the modern era.
The CEO-7 features a slope-shouldered, 14-fret 00-body with a solid Adirondack Spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. Like its Vintage Series and Golden Era cousins, the CEO-7's top is braced with 1/4" scalloped Adirondack Spruce braces. The result is a comfortable short-scale guitar that is lightweight and surprisingly loud and responsive for its small, compact size. With a 1-3/4" nut width, solid Ebony fingerboard, and a Modified V neck profile, the CEO-7 captures the feel of a '30s Martin, but its modern drop-in bone saddle allows for easier action adjustments down the road.
Combine all of that with Martin's "Autumn Sunset" sunburst top finish, Golden Age Relic nickel tuners, and 1933-style script peghead decal, and the result is a guitar heavily inspired by classic '30s Martin flat-tops. But at the same time, the slope-shoulder 14-fret is actually something new from Martin, and you're going to love it just as much as we do.
This 2021 Martin CEO-7 is #4347 in the series. It shows some minor playwear and signs of use, but nothing too offensive. The worst is some finish imperfections where the binding meets the back, right at the waist on both sides (see photos). Fortunately, there is no separation so it is just finish checking. There is also a small scuff on the edge of the side (see photos). Other than that, the previous owner installed a K&K Pure Mini pickup, but the neck heel is free of a strap button.
This 2021 Martin CEO-7 has a nice, approachable setup, and it has an approachable Modified V neck profile that pays homage to the '30s. The 1-3/4" nut width and 2-5/16" make this guitar an excellent fingerpicker, but the stiff Adirondack top responds equally as well to a flat pick. This CEO-7 packs a warm, rounded voice that has impressive bass and balance for a 00-size guitar. All around, it is a versatile small-body that perfectly fills a hole in the classic Martin model lineup. It includes its original hardshell case.