Martin CEO-9

First Look: Design and Build

The CEO-9 ships in a Geib-style hardshell case with Martin's traditional CEO Edition badging. Owner-posted weights put it around 4.0 pounds, typical for a 00-size Martin and about 0.8 pounds lighter than a comparable D-28. The European sycamore back and sides show an eye-catching figure with flame curl that catches light like soft maple, and the CEO Editions are built in short runs specifically so Martin can use rare tonewood stock that would not be practical at production volume.

Cosmetically the CEO-9 is more restrained than the 000-28EC. Simple herringbone trim around the top, a small abalone rosette, and gold Waverly open-gear tuners: the appointments are vintage rather than ornate. The tortoise pickguard has a vintage beveled edge that matches the 00-21 and 00-28 Authentic models in the current Martin lineup.

Tone and Sound Character

European sycamore is one of the more interesting tonewoods to pass through Martin's lineup in recent years. It sits between rock maple and koa on the density scale and produces a clear, slightly glassy top-end that favors detail over warmth. In demo recordings of fingerpicked Chet Atkins patterns, individual melody notes jump out of the chord voicings with the kind of separation I normally associate with koa guitars from Taylor's K-series.

The 24.9 inch short scale combined with the 00 body shape yields a compressed bass response that fits well into dense mix environments. On strummed progressions in demo clips, the CEO-9 produces less low-end than a dreadnought but nearly the same midrange articulation, which makes it an excellent songwriter tool for pop and folk arrangements that already have a bass instrument in the mix.

Playability and Factory Setup

Owner setup threads put typical factory action around 2.2mm low E and 1.7mm high E at the 12th fret, on spec with Martin's Nazareth setup targets and playable without an immediate trip to the tech. The Modified Low Oval neck profile is the same carve used on current D-18 and D-28 models: substantial under the palm but not chunky enough to fatigue a player through a 90 minute set.

The 1.75 inch nut width combined with the short 24.9 inch scale is an unusual combination that rewards players with medium to large hands. Cowboy chords sit comfortably and barre chords above the 7th fret require less left-hand pressure than on a standard 25.4 inch scale Martin. The shorter scale also reduces string tension, which makes bends and vibrato feel easier.

Build Quality and Materials

CEO Editions are built in small runs at the Nazareth facility by the same luthiers who build Custom Shop instruments. Owner reports describe flawless attention to detail: perfectly mitered binding, fret ends seated with zero sprouting, and an Adirondack top that is hand-voiced before bracing installation.

The sycamore back and sides are sourced from European suppliers in short annual batches. Because sycamore is not a protected species, the legal paperwork is simpler than mahogany or rosewood, which is part of why Chris Martin IV selected it for the CEO-9 run. The wood is kiln-dried for an extended period before building to minimize future movement.

Who Should Buy the Martin CEO-9

The CEO-9 is for serious fingerstyle players who already own a dreadnought and want a smaller-body Martin with a distinct tonal character. Chet Atkins-style pickers, Celtic players, studio musicians who need a bright articulate acoustic for layering, and collectors who appreciate limited production runs all land here appropriately. Owners consistently describe the figured sycamore as even more striking in person than in photos, and this is an instrument you will want on a display stand when you are not playing it.

Skip the CEO-9 if you are a primary strummer (too small), if you need rosewood warmth (pick a 00-28 instead), or if you cannot justify 3,699 dollars on a parlor-body instrument. For strummers who want a short-scale Martin, the 00-15M at 1,899 dollars is a more sensible choice.