In many ways, the Limited-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 future adjustability and a multitude of pickup options for the stage or the studio.
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 painstakingly reminiscent of—as well as heavily inspired by—classic '30s Martin flat-tops. But at the same time, the Martin CEO-7 is truly something new, and you're going to love it just as much as we do.
This 2014 Martin CEO-7 is #1057 in the series. It shows some play wear here and there, and the worst of it is along the top edge of the lower bout. There is also a small finish imperfection on the sound hole. We've done our best to photograph the worst of the scuffs, so check out the photos!
This 2014 Martin CEO-7 was recently at Turtle Lake Instruments for a tune up. While it was there, Dave Farmer re-glued a short stretch of X-brace that had come loose (using hide glue of course), and he also cleaned up the frets and gave it the classic setup once-over. Because of that, this CEO-7 is playing and sounding 100% to its full potential. This is a fantastic small-body guitar that is starting to get some of that warm "played-in" sound. It is an excellent value for Adirondack Spruce and construction of this quality. Original hardshell case included.