OM28 and CEO-7

[eyesore]

Hi , I have the OM28 Martin but am interested in this CEO-7. Is it a smaller body? I am looking for a "sweet" small body guitar ; especially a Sunburst Model. [all of the sudden I've been craving a sunburst acoustic.$2000 range.Thanks.

[hairpuller]

I had a CEO7 for awhile and loved everything about it but the neck. Beautiful guitar in every way. I sometimes wonder if I had it back would the neck still be a problem?

You should be able to pick up a nice used one easily under 2k.

Best,
scott

[Matts67]

I had a CEO-7 and currently have an OM-28 Modern Deluxe, so I was able to compare the two directly quite a bit. The CEO-7 simply doesn't compare to the OM28 MD in terms of overall tone and responsiveness. But, for a 00 sized guitar, especially if you're after a drier mahogany tone, the CEO-7 is really hard to beat. I think it would boil down to rosewood vs mahogany, but for me the OM28 seems more versatile overall and with the way mine is set up, it's just as easy to play.

[eyesore]

yeah ,well I do prefer Rosewood. but looking at body size ,it looks a little smaller. That is something I am after.Any thoughts on smaller body guitars?

[jklotz]

I love the neck on the CEO 7. I've probably played 5 or 6 of them at this point. I really wanted to like the guitar because I like the neck and the size so much, but they have all sounded kind of muted and dull to me. I guess that is just not the style I gravitate towards?

[zmf]

I've played two CEO-7's in the last 10 years, and besides a nice 000-28VS, I have bought it, but already had a guitar that covered that genre space.

Give it some thought.

[Llewlyn]

I own both. OM-28 has a better tone imo, but CEO-7 has superb playability. Love that neck.

Ll.

[Slothead56]

I’ve owned 2 CEO-7s. The first was very dull sounding and I sold it within weeks. The second, which was used, sounded better. I played it a lot and gigged it a little. It was A very cool vibe guitar. Ultimately though it was too dry sounding for me and I sold it. I’m just a rosewood guy.

[canyongargon]

Try looking at the X braced Waterloo WL-14. Can’t recommend it enough, my example is easily one of the very best acoustic guitars I’ve ever played.

[M19]

Think about a 00-28. They can be had (used) for your number, or a little more. Maury's has a new one that at 60% would be $2339.

[eyesore]

Ok , thanks for the advice. That's why I come here .I have a feeling I will be disappointed in this guitar .Stick with my OM28.

[Peter Z]

I have the poor mans OM-28, an OM-21, and a CEO-7.
I think they are quite different, so in my opinion a comparison doesn't make a lot of sense. For sure the OM-21 is more versatile but the CEO-7 is a dream of a guitar. Definately not dull. Playability is great on both guitars but obviously still a little easier on the CEO-7.

If I had only one guitar, it would be the OM, but I would miss the CEO badly, very badly. They are brother and sister and belong together!

[UncleJesse]

I had a ceo7 and sold it to buy an custom adirondack om28. I really liked the ceo7 but ultimately the string spacing was too much and I always thought it sounded a little plinky on the high E and B strings. The custom OM28 is just a better all-around guitar for me. I am curious how a mod-v 1 3/4" neck with 2 5/32" bridge string spacing would feel like. I'm don't know of any Martin that has that spec on any models, do they?

[AgentKooper]

I have the Blueridge version of an OM-28 as well as an 00-18. I owned a CEO-7 for about a year. It was a great sounding and very playable guitar, and a great complement to the OM. I loved its looks too. In the end I sold it, but only because it really occupied the same niche for me as the 00-18, and I liked the 00-18 a bit more. I just couldn’t really justify keeping both and the 00-18 won out.

I love having both an OM and an 00, and I think the right CEO would go great with your OM-28. Quite different guitars, IMO.

And to answer your question, yes, the CEO is a smaller body. Also shorter scale.

[dukebrot]

I have an OM-21 and a 00-18V. I have also played many OM-28's and CEO 7's. As much as I wanted to love every CEO 7 I have played, I have yet to find one that really stands out to me. That being said, I agree that the CEO 7 and the OM-28 are different beasts (00 vs. 000 size, short scale vs. long scale, mahogany vs. rosewood). I could definitely see having a CEO 7 and an OM-28.

All that being said, I personally would get an 00-18V or 00-18 before a CEO 7 just based on my own experience with both. I'd also try a Waterloo WL-14X before buying a CEO 7 if you really like that shape and a sunburst top. Back to back I have always preferred the Waterloo to the CEO 7 when I have had the chance to play both.

But of course this is all *very* subjective and your mileage may vary.

Good luck!

Dave