Ceo-7 sound

[Luckymud]

Recently played a Martin Ceo-7 and was just blown away with how big it sounds. I played it next to my 00-18 and they have drastically different tonal properties. The Ceo-7 sounds fuller in the bass and very fundamental, with a slightly quicker decay. I totally dig it. I did notice that fingerpicking, notes seem to fall out of the 00-18 much more easily.

My question is, how much of the Ceo-7 sound (specifically the fundamental bias and quick decay) is the shape vs. the top?

While, I know the answer is "it's both," I'm asking because 1. I don't LOVE the burst top, and 2. I wonder if finding a 00-18 or 00-28 with an adirondack top will produce a similar sound to the ceo?

I guess another way of asking is: how does a 00-18 with an adi top compare to the ceo-7?

Thanks!

[zcregle1]

https://cartervintage.com/collection...tom-ceo-7-2016

might fix the sunburst problem

[Kyle215]

The back and side woods will be different on a CEO… the standard series uses “genuine” mahogany and the CEO uses I think Sipo? Someone else probably has more precise info than me on that.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing, by the way. I sold a 000-18 in favor of keeping my CEO…

I think the CEO has a larger lower bout than a 00 also, which probably affects the tone in some way. I found the 000 to be sweeter and richer in tone, but something about the CEO just set it apart for me.

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by Kyle215

The back and side woods will be different on a CEO… the standard series uses “genuine” mahogany and the CEO uses I think Sipo? Someone else probably has more precise info than me on that.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing, by the way. I sold a 000-18 in favor of keeping my CEO…

I think the CEO has a larger lower bout than a 00 also, which probably affects the tone in some way. I found the 000 to be sweeter and richer in tone, but something about the CEO just set it apart for me.

Yeah, this is how I felt about the Ceo. It's not as "rich" or complex, and my 00-18 feels more "intimate." But the CEO has some serious oomph behind the notes.

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by zcregle1

https://cartervintage.com/collection...tom-ceo-7-2016

might fix the sunburst problem

Interesting -- this is pretty spendy for me, especially used. I guess I'd be nervous about...something? Idk.

I called around and I think I can get -15% off the standard. But the natural top is more appealing. Not sure if it's $650 more appealing, though.

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by zcregle1

https://cartervintage.com/collection...tom-ceo-7-2016

might fix the sunburst problem

On closer inspection, the top on this guitar is listed as "European Swiss Spruce" instead of the Adirondack on the standard.

Can anyone comment on adi vs. European Swiss spruces?

[drive-south]

The one @Carters is a very cool custom shop guitar. It seems a bargain at $3000. I'd love to hear it.

[Kyle215]

Originally Posted by Luckymud

On closer inspection, the top on this guitar is listed as "European Swiss Spruce" instead of the Adirondack on the standard.

Can anyone comment on adi vs. European Swiss spruces?

It looks like the “genuine mahogany” that is used on standard series Martins as well… so basically it’s a CEO-7 shape with different woods. It’s probably a great guitar but it will probably sound different than the one you played…

[RogerPease]

You could always order a CEO7 from the Martin custom shop without the burst.
But you’d be paying some extra to get them to delete a feature.

_RP

[George Henry]

I’ve got a very recent CEO 7 whose back and sides appear to be genuine mahogany, although I am not that familiar with sipo to identify it. My adi top and back and sides are both excellent and I find the burst appealing. I’m quite happy with my CEO 7 the way that it is, including the tuners.

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by Kyle215

It looks like the “genuine mahogany” that is used on standard series Martins as well… so basically it’s a CEO-7 shape with different woods. It’s probably a great guitar but it will probably sound different than the one you played…

Well -- I guess I'm going to find out!

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this. I liked the idea of genuine mahogany, and also the wood binding instead of the plastic that seems to be giving people some problems lately.

If it's SUPER different than the standard Ceo, I can probably find it another loving home fairly easily.

Now the waiting begins.

[yaharadelta]

I'd be interested in your opinion on the sound and tone etc.of your new one. I've had a CEO-7 for a few years, It has a unique sound, depth and fullness, I've never heard a 00 quite like it. I'm guessing that Luckymud is a reference to Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle and the Books of Bokonon, one of my favorite creation myths:

"And I was some of the mud that got to sit up and look
around.
Lucky me, lucky mud."

[Kyle215]

Originally Posted by Luckymud

Well -- I guess I'm going to find out!

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this. I liked the idea of genuine mahogany, and also the wood binding instead of the plastic that seems to be giving people some problems lately.

If it's SUPER different than the standard Ceo, I can probably find it another loving home fairly easily.

Now the waiting begins.

Cool, I’m curious to see what you think of it. You know you need to post some pics when it comes in, right?

[varmonter]

I think youll be pleased with this.
Yes imho the adi top is what makes the guitar.
Sunburst has nothing to do with it.
Purly asthetics.

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by yaharadelta

I'm guessing that Luckymud is a reference to Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle and the Books of Bokonon, one of my favorite creation myths:

"And I was some of the mud that got to sit up and look
around.
Lucky me, lucky mud."

You know, in the 20 some-odd years of using this screenname across different platforms, you're maybe the 2nd or 3rd person to have commented on that reference.

<<high five>>