Three Martins- help me decide

[KenL]

I've downsized my little collection to three guitars, but somehow ended up without a Martin. My mistake, as I like having a Martin around.

I'm in no big hurry, but I'd like to fill that empty spot in my rack. I've narrowed it down to:

1) a 00-18V
2) a CEO-7
3) or a 00-DB Jeff Tweedy.

All are mahogany guitars, and I believe that all three have a Mod V neck with a 1 3/4" nut, which is my favorite Martin neck (but correct me if I'm wrong).

I used to own a 00-18V, so I know what they are about. And I'm still kicking myself for trading it away.

I got to play a Tweedy once, for about 5 minutes. Loved it. Gotta watch out for that binding issue, though, lots of them seem to have it.

And I've never been in the same room with a CEO, but I hear good things. And I'm a sucker for a nice sunburst.

Opinions, please, help me out here?

[Cuki79]

00-18V gets my vote... But I've never played the other two...

[llew]

Never owned a 00-18V but have always heard great things. Had a Tweedy and a CEO-7. Of those two I go for the 7. Tweedy was a nice guitar but i never seem to hold onto a mahogany top guitar for long. The idea intrigues me but they never last? If the Tweedy had a spruce top I think it would change my mind. But those are my thoughts. You should try them all and see what works best for you Ken. If I could have one back it would be the CEO-7. Lotta love for that little guitar for a good reason!

[sinistral]

Of the three, the 00-18V is the most Martin, so I would go with it, since you want a Martin. The 00-18 is one of the best all-around guitars Martin has ever made, and the Vintage series kicked it up a notch.

Out of the other two, sight unseen (and sound unheard), I would probably go for the 00-DB Jeff Tweedy, just because it is still more of a Martin. That said, the CEO-7s have been an enduring special edition in the catalogue, so that says something.

[abn556]

I would choose between the 18V and the CEO-7. The Tweedy being all hog is in a different category of guitar for me. I like the 00 and 000-18s. I have a 000-18. I feel like Martin 18s are just right in their wheelhouse. They make a great sounding mahogany backed sitka topped guitar.

+

[Carolina Blues]

The CEO-7 is a nice guitar, but it's not very 'Martin' if that makes sense.

[DanR]

I've not played the Tweedy which I imagine has it's own sound due to the mahogany top and deep body.

I have played the CEO-7 and I prefer my humble non V reimagined 00-18 to the CEO-7.

[brencat]

Out of those 3, the 00-18v hands down as it will be the most versatile given the Sitka top and warm tone.

The Tweedy is not in the same league as the CEO-7 or 00-18v, imo.

[KenL]

Originally Posted by Carolina Blues

The CEO-7 is a nice guitar, but it's not very 'Martin' if that makes sense.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Excellent points, gentlemen, just what I was looking for.

Keep 'em coming!

[raysachs]

I still can't believe you sold your 000-18GE so quickly - I'd say that would have been the pick of this particular litter. That said, the 00-18V and CEO-7 are pretty similar, the 00-18V is a little sweeter/mellower, the CEO-7 has a bit more punch, maybe that's the Adirondack top? And that's based on a very much ongoing familiarity with the CEO-7 and only a distant memory of the 00-18V, so I may be totally off base too. The Tweedy would be a wonderful guitar, but being all-hog, it's a bit of a different beast.

I reject that the CEO-7 is less "Martin" - I know the design is based on a Gibson, but it sounds like a Martin. The ONLY thing I don't love about my CEO-7s (two of 'em) is the sunburst, which like the neck, some people love, some people don't. I don't. But I love the guitar too much to worry about the burst. I don't see it when I'm playing it anyway.

-Ray

[KenL]

I offer no defense, Ray, except to say that I've had a couple of nice OMs and a few really nice 000s, including an EC, and never fell in love with any of them. But I like 00s and parlors just fine. Weird, I know.

And I figured out a while ago that I greatly prefer sitka to adi. But I put the CEO on the list because I haven't played one. Sure would like to one of these days.

[rampix]

Based on your last post I’m guessing you’ll end up with the 00-18V, but you probably couldn’t go wrong with any of those 3. Happy shopping!

[lfarhadi]

When in doubt, choose Adi!

[KenL]

Originally Posted by rampix

Based on your last post I’m guessing you’ll end up with the 00-18V, but you probably couldn’t go wrong with any of those 3. Happy shopping!

Probably a good guess, Rick. Let me know if you spot one up your way.

[mawmow]

I own an OOO-18 and a Tweedy and tried a CEO-7.
I never touch a OO-18V.

I would go for the OO-18V anyway.