It’s a bit disorienting to open a new shipping box emblazoned with Martin logos, only to find a silver hardshell case that looks like something out of the Space Age. And once inside that case, I didn’t find the usual OM or dreadnought, but a round-shouldered, jumbo-sized guitar with a flared headstock and green keystone-style tuning machines.
On one hand, the instrument in question—the new CEO 8.2—is one of Martin’s more curious departures. But on the other hand, a few introductory strums and runs show that the guitar is consistent with the company’s longstanding ethos of building guitars with a rich, clear sound, that are sure to appeal to players of all stripes. And it’s nicely built.
MORE INFO: acousticguitar.com/gear-review-martins-ceo-8-2-grand-jumbo-boasts-excellent-playability-and-a-brilliant-voice/
Martin CEO 8.2
BODY Grand J 14-fret size body with solid European spruce top with VTS (Vintage Tone System) treatment; solid mahogany back and sides; ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle and 2-5/32“ string spacing; satin finish with bourbon sunset burst top and dark mahogany back and sides
NECK Mahogany neck with 20-fret ebony fretboard; Mother-of-pearl skeleton diamond inlays; 25.4″ scale; 1-3/4″ bone nut; nickel enclosed-gear tuners with green keystone plastic buttons; satin finish
EXTRAS Martin Retro Medium/Light—LJ’s Choice (MLJ13) strings (.013–.056); Liquidmetal bridge pins; TKL Alumin-X hardshell case
PRICE $3,999 list/$3,159 street
Made in USA, martinguitar.com