Ngd - CEO 7, #985

Coastman · #1 02-02-2015, 02:36 PM

After patiently waiting for almost 2 months, I finally received my CEO 7 from Maury's Music (the hold up was on Martin's end). What an awesome guitar! It lives up to all the great reviews and videos I've seen. It's #985. From what I understand, Martin is soon to stop production of these, perhaps around #1,000. I'm fairly certain these will continue to be highly sought after for many years to come. They are very special guitars and I feel privileged to own one!

Angelo and Maury at Maury's music were fantastic to deal with. In addition to excellent service, they offer incredible prices. Plus, they provide a 14 day trial period. Maury's has an excellent reputation on this (and other) forums for good reason. I highly recommend them if you're looking for a new Martin (Note: I've also dealt with Jon Garon at My Favorite Guitars and have had equally superb service from him. I purchased one of his custom OM-35's in 2011 and it is one of the finest guitars I've heard or played. The CEO 7 is right up there with my OM-35, with a different tone and playing characteristics. The OM-35 has just gotten even better over the past few years with lots of play time. The CEO is amazing "out of the box", and I know will just get better with age and play time. You can't go wrong with Maury or MFG. Two of the finest dealers on the planet IMHO).

So, here's my current line up (My Three Amigos):

From left: Martin custom "MFG" OM-35 (Sitka/Rosewood); Martin CEO-7 (Adirondack/Mahogany), Pono parlor OP-10c (Cedar/Koa)

JasonA · #2 02-02-2015, 02:39 PM

Beautiful guitars, all around!

searead · #3 02-02-2015, 02:45 PM

Congratulations! I've had #448 since last July. Love it!

guitarlifestyle · #4 02-02-2015, 02:52 PM

Looks great! I'd love to try one of these out sometime. How do you like the "V" neck?

MHC · #5 02-02-2015, 02:56 PM

Congratulations. I've had #73 for over a year now and still can't put it down once I get going. The voice has matured and become even richer and more complex while retaining its sweetness. Enjoy!

JimB1 · #6 02-02-2015, 02:56 PM

Very nice! Mine is #948. It's a really fantastic guitar.
Good luck with it.
-Jim

Treenewt · #7 02-02-2015, 02:59 PM

Congrats on your new addition to a great stable! Just played my first CEO 7 and immediately began wondering what I could sell to get one! Fantastic little 00! Enjoy!

jpd · #8 02-02-2015, 03:00 PM

Coastman....congrats on a beauty

Just amazes me that sales are up to 1000 in a years time

By the way, I 2nd your assessment of Maurys

Coastman · #9 02-02-2015, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarlifestyle

Looks great! I'd love to try one of these out sometime. How do you like the "V" neck?

While the CEO V neck is certainly different than the low profile neck on my OM-35, I don't have any problems with it. Once you play it for a few minutes you adjust to it. At least I did. It's a very mild or soft "V". I've played other V necks (Martin and Santa Cruz) that were quite severe and actually caused some pain in the "crook" of my fretting hand (I'm sure due to the arthritis issues I have). The CEO 7 is quite comfortable.

I did notice the slightly wider string spacing at the saddle vs. my OM-35 and Pono. The CEO is 2-5/16. The OM and Pono are 2-¼. Again, just took a few minutes to adjust when playing finger style. Not really noticeable when strumming with a pick.

lamboy1 · #10 02-02-2015, 03:26 PM

congrats from another CEO-7 brother
have had mine (#197) for a year now
best of luck with it in the coming years

JasonA · #11 02-02-2015, 03:27 PM

As the bargain entry in your trio, how does the Pono stack up?

Coastman · #12 02-02-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonA

As the bargain entry in your trio, how does the Pono stack up?

The Pono is a stellar little guitar! Since I may be biased, I will share with you a more independent evaluation that happened yesterday. A friend who is a recording artist and grammy winning record producer stopped by to play all three before we all went off to a super-bowl party. To say he's a much better player and "evaluator" than me is a gross under statement. He's played with the likes of Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac, Doobie Brothers, Charlie Daniels and produced and/or distributed for Tommy Emmanuel, Peppino D'Agostino & John McCuen, to name a few (hows that for name dropping!). I had him start with the Pono. His comments: "WOW -This sounds great! What an awesome little guitar! I can't believe you only paid $xxx for it! Fantastic sounding!". Then I handed him the CEO 7. He picked about 30 seconds, stopped and held the guitar out in front of him, stared at it in amazement and said "Whoa - this thing is amazing! Perfectly balanced sound, loud, nice bass but even sound across the strings. Very articulate, great note separation. What an incredible guitar. I may have to get one!". Then I handed him my OM-35. Lets just say he wanted to take it with him. He played that one when I first got it 4 years ago. He really liked it then, and loves it even more now. He was quick to note how the sound had just gotten so much better with the years of playing. Such a rich low end yet clear trebles. He may end up borrowing it for a recording session he's doing with another fairly well known artist.

So, I'm supremely happy with all 3. They each serve a purpose, are different sounding, and are all outstanding examples of that genre (for lack of a better way to classify them). The Pono is definitely a tremendous value. So is the CEO 7. Heck, so is the OM-35!

Coastman · #13 02-02-2015, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd

Coastman....congrats on a beauty

Just amazes me that sales are up to 1000 in a years time

By the way, I 2nd your assessment of Maurys

Thanks! Someone posted on the UMGF "CEO 7 club" thread on Jan. 27 that they were just at the Martin factory and was told that they are about to cease production of the CEO 7's. I don't know what the final # will be, but it can't be much more than 1,000. Mine had just come out of the factory before Maury got it (Maury's is in Pennsylvania, not too far from Martin), and it's #985.

Yes, I can't say enough good things about Maury's. I'm going to be in Pennsylvania later this year, and will be taking the Martin factory tour. If I can fit it in the schedule I hope to pay a visit to Maury's as well. If for no other reason than to meet Maury and Angelo, and thank them personally for the great job they did for me, and for their support of this forum.

djg · #14 02-02-2015, 04:46 PM

Congrats -- lotsa happy picking.

Mine has shipped -- not sure what number it is but it should be here about Thursday, so we'll see.

Coastman · #15 02-02-2015, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djg

Congrats -- lotsa happy picking.

Mine has shipped -- not sure what number it is but it should be here about Thursday, so we'll see.

Congrats back at you! Looks like we're both just "slipping under the wire" before they stop production. Which dealer did you order yours from?