Chris takes a shot at Henry - No mando content

[MikeEdgerton]

OK, this isn't the first CEO model made by Martin that had a striking resemblance to a Gibson product but this one is pretty blatant.

The Martin CEO-8

[Bernie Daniel]

OK, this isn't the first CEO model made by Martin that had a striking resemblance to a Gibson product but this one is pretty blatant.

The Martin CEO-8

Good grief -- how sad, are they running out of ideas over there in Nazareth?
Then adding "The Martin" in Gibson-style script is positively juvenile at best and insulting at worst. IMO. Who do they think would buy one anyway?

[EdHanrahan]

As a Martin fan w/ lots of respect for Gibson, that is a fair bit cringe-worthy. And "The Martin" headstock!?

[Jeff Hildreth]

I long ago lost any respect for C F M IV when he claimed to have designed the CEO-5, which he did not.

Note that no other maker seems to have a CEO model. It is a mind set.

[Jacob]

Martin gives Gibson the Bird.

[SpencerMando]

"The Martin" on the headstock made me chuckle. I don't know how IP law works or anything but could this be grounds for a potential lawsuit? If so people should buy these, then they'll have a lawsuit martin to sell in 50 years.

[MikeEdgerton]

If Gibson went after Martin for "The Martin" they would have to go after a lot of mandolin builders as well. Gibson wasn't the only instrument builder using "The" in the early days either. I know of "The Dayton". There might be others.

The CEO-5 was pretty much like the D-18S. I had one, it was a great little guitar. I wish I'd kept it. I think the CEO series has been a successful marketing ploy for Martin and some were obviously based on Gibson models, at least cosmetically.

[bruce.b]

Wow. Martin has really jumped the shark with this one. "The Martin" on the headstock is a terrible idea.

[Timbofood]

Oh, NO they dit'n!

Oh good grief, they DID!
Ewww.

[Fretbear]

Tragic........

[FLATROCK HILL]

Wow...April 1st already!?!

[Hudmister]

I remember back in the 70's some Pac-rim manufacturer made a dreadnought guitar called C.F. Marlin. This somehow reminds me of that. Times must be tough at Martin. The pickguard looks el-cheapo. Time for a management change at Martin before they loose their loyal followers like me.

[dcoventry]

$5K+ and they couldn't put an Adi top on it??

For shame.

[sunburst]

I think it hilarious!
Chris Martin said, when they introduced the Taylor-ish guitars a few years back, something like "People have been copying Martin guitars for years...". I think he's saying something like; OK, how does it feel when your design gets copied?
I feel pretty sure Chris did his legal homework and knows exactly what he can get away with and have a sound legal foundation to stand on.

[Gerry Cassidy]

I think it hilarious!
Chris Martin said, when they introduced the Taylor-ish guitars a few years back, something like "People have been copying Martin guitars for years...". I think he's saying something like; OK, how does it feel when your design gets copied?
I feel pretty sure Chris did his legal homework and knows exactly what he can get away with and have a sound legal foundation to stand on.

I couldn't agree more. This is funny! Kudos to Chris.

[MikeEdgerton]

I have no problem with it, everybody else copies Martin and I'm sure Chris Martin knows what he's doing.

Actually, I'd like to try one of these. I've never cared much for the Gibson model. I should add I'd never pay this much for the Martin copy or the Gibson original, and yes I'm a Martin and a Gibson owner (as well as Taylor and Breedlove and a bunch more).

[Bernie Daniel]

I have no problem with it, everybody else copies Martin and I'm sure Chris Martin knows what he's doing.

Actually, I'd like to try one of these. I've never cared much for the Gibson model. I should add I['d never pay this much for the Martin copy or the Gibson original, and yes I'm a Martin and a Gibson owner (as well as Taylor and Breedlove and a bunch more).

A lot of people copy Martin --that is certainly true. Why?

I think mostly other makers copy Martin because their instruments do not have the name and image (and they are often inferior too) so they want the Martin halo for their own brand.

So does this mean Martin is now copying Gibson because they feel a little inferior and a need to emulate a better brand? Just wondering.

You would probably know this if anyone would -- has Gibson ever copied Martin like this?

When Gibson wanted go after the D-28 in 1935 they made the Advanced Jumbo and that could not be considered copying -- they did it their way.

Would the square shouldered dreadnought be considered something that Gibson copied?

Waiting for "The Martin" F-5?

[MikeEdgerton]

...Waiting for "The Martin" F-5?

Too late, they imported them years ago.

Martin Sigma F-5

And now we have mando content. Perfect!

[atbuckner21]

This seems like a rock throwing contest to me. All the rocks are landing on windows. I don't understand why they would create "The Martin" in such a blatant move.

[Astro]

I'll bet thats one of the best 2000 dollar guitars you can buy for 5300 dollars.

[MikeEdgerton]

has Gibson ever copied Martin like this?

Actually the Advanced Jumbo would be close by the body style alone, the second line instruments with square cut head stocks in the 30's copied the look of the Martin headstock but I assume that was mainly for ease of construction of a budget line instrument. Beyond that Gibson has it's share of headstock shapes and body shapes to build so I would answer that "not that I recall". Keep in mind you probably can't buy a Gibson flat top guitar that isn't x-braced and that can be traced back to Martin so it's not just the outside that comes into play. I'm sure that they won't be building a thousand of these a year.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'll bet thats one of the best 2000 dollar guitars you can buy for 5300 dollars.

Amen to that.

[shelley.heard]

I cannot imagine anyone playing this guitar model at the Ryman Auditorium or on the Grand Old Opry.

[sgarrity]

I won't be buying one but I do think it's funny.

[SincereCorgi]

Oh man, that's awesome. I'm imagining a nice little after-work party some Friday in Nazareth, and everybody's laughing, and then hey-let's-have-some-beers, and then somebody opens some good bourbon just for fun, and then more bourbon, and oh-man-wouldn't-it-be-hilarious-if... then 48 hours later everybody wakes up with a hangover and a production order for a batch of J-200s.