Martin vs Gibson

Guitar Gallery compares the Martin CEO-7 and Gibson 1930's L00 Classic Ebony. Both guitars are 00 in size, Adirondack tops, Mahogany for the back and sides, and has scalloped X-bracing. The Martin has an ebony fretboard and bridge while the Gibson has a Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Apologies for chopping off the Gibson's headstock during the intro part of the video.... Please let us know which guitar you prefer.

[@Mars-mr3om]

The Gibson sounds like a handshake The Martin sounds like a hug.

[@lennymac123]

That is the weirdest, but best analogy!

[@angelawilliamson8201]

When I took my first Martin home I was ecstatic. Four of them & 50 years later the feeling remains. I’ll always roll in to Nazareth.

[@juana1483]

Which ones you have? I just purchased The Martin 00-28 Modern Deluxe @!! I already had the 00-18.

[@agusg.t.8950]

I prefer the Gibson. Warm woody and restrained. The Martin is so much bigger sound, too much maybe. Both are amazing

[@brentmarchbanks8783]

I’m a CEO 7 owner; and still in love. But, this excellent comparison video reveals to me that the 7 is louder and more “pronounced,” in the E and A and b and e strings than it is in the mid range. The D and G strings are subject to the “scooped mids” that are part of the characteristic Martin dreadnaught sound. The Gibby is less dramatic, but more balanced.

[@astromancermusic8675]

Happy to see you guys together again.

[@guitaring1]

great comparison. thanks for choosing guitars with very similar specs so we can hear the difference created by the build of each company.

[@useme2305]

both are great!!! i like the warmer less spiky sound of the gibson alot though.

[@mabelem3618]

huge difference i didnt expect that.. much more warmth and richness in the martin at least for my ears.

[@danstevens1024]

Martin. Love the balance across across the strings. Very articulate and you can hear the treble strings clearly.

[@Jeff-fx5vu]

Both are beautiful, warmer Gibson vs the more brighter Martin. Personal choice, the CEO7 really stands out. Maybe everyone needs both?

[@oxfords1]

I have both the Martin CEO 7 and the Gibson L00 and the martin blows the gibson out of the water. When you play the Martin it just bellows out this buttery mellow sound. The Gibson I like mainly because the nut is a 1.72 which is very sweet for smaller hands, but the sound feels constrained, low and doesn't project much.

[@tmbgfan5]

I have the CEO 7 and this video made me love it even more. Blows that almost 4k Gibson out of the water. I got mine for a little over 2k.

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

Lol

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

If I had a nickel for every case of buyers bias u read

[@kuttermclaughlin3631]

Meh… they’re both different tools for slightly different jobs. The Martin thump is very cool and appealing, but I wouldn’t prefer it for anything close to delta blues. The Gibson has it there, but sounds like it’d be much less versatile. …wish they’d commit to the sound they wanted to make, both these guitars would be better if the designers were t trying to appeal to wider markets than what that body style excels at.

[@dori4567]

Martin sounds amazing , I think I have picked my next guitar !

[@eltonbloye582]

For me the Martin has a bigger sound, and also sounds cleaner. The Gibson sounds a little more lo-fi, which is why I would pick it over the Martin. Seems to have more feeling. Like an old record.

[@winstonian88]

This was a great comparison. Gibsons always sound more boxy and compressed to me. Like a more old fashioned low-fi sound compared to other brands. The Martin is more complex and responsive. It just is. Also, thank you for not playing annoying chicken pickin’ music from 80 years ago like every other demo!!

[@sooparticular]

hahaaaaaa

[@ryosapien27]

Kind of think that’s exactly why people buy gibsons. What they are good at. They are REALLY good at and Martin will never be able to sound like that. It’s good for some songs and not good for others m. If you only hope to play one style of music perhaps there’s a perfect guitar but for the rest of us. Thank god they both exist

[@Ayhm111]

Love the warm balanced tone of the Martin CEO-7❤ I listened to this video with my eyes closed and the Martin wins hands down! Glad I’m fortunate enough to own one!

[@BrianWMay]

I'm just about to buy a CEO-7, trading my D-28 which is getting a bit uncomfortable to play as I'm getting old !!

[@winstonian88]

I agree

[@garychen483]

I have a Gibson L-00 standard and I’m thinking about trading for a Martin CEO-7. Well, after watching this video, I’ve changed my mind. Thanks a lot!! 👍👍

[@michaelbobson6375]

I'm with you! If you want a vintage blues tone, the Martin loses every time. Martin's are great guitars for general use, the Gibson is it for an old times tone! I just traded a nice CEO7 for a raucous L00 and I haven't looked back. Have fun.

[@romanroman3357]

Piękne gitary ! Myślałem o Gibsonie ale przemówił do mnie Martin . Dziękuję za film !

[@johanneskoch6842]

Fantastic playing with so much soul. Guitars are great too :-)

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

Yes buddy

[@startreker8591]

For my singing voice tone wise Martin is always almost friendly to me…got USA Guilds as welll dread y om etc sizes …CEO7 coulpney last or om 21 …ty guys!

[@jamesroberts6376]

Cool comparison! Is the first song Sons of the East ?

[@jenniferdavenport9571]

Both are beautiful and the decision was difficult. I went with the Martin. What is the piece you played around 3:50? Thanks.

[@kenpark7427]

I have ceo-7 earlier version(#100's) and really sounds awesome so bought first edition(under #100) one again. really good guitar.

[@walterwhiting9970]

There is an articulation and note separation from the Gibson with just a tad more sustain that evokes warmth and clarity not found on the Martin.

[@larryloebig6617]

What are the specs on the necks? Are they both mod V?

[@eigilsiren]

I think the Gibson has a more soulful sound. The Martin sound is a bit like a steinway piano,depends on what you need. Both are great🙂👍

[@646oleg]

Gibson was a winner with this 1930 L00 model. Great guitar

[@jjmuni]

Had one of this lovely Martin CEO-7 but the tuners were crap. I’m happy now with a Gibson Keb Mo Bluesmaster which basically is a L-00 but 12 fret to the body and a wider fingerboard. Fantastic.

[@dalehamon4295]

In my opinion both guitars sound very similar to each other in strumming but the Martin sounded warmer on fingerpicking but the Gibson has a piezo under the bone saddle that the Martin doesn’t have to compete with which sucks some sound

[@damonlove8]

Both lean towards the warmer tone. The I feel like Martin is more responsive to touch & has a higher volume compared to the Gibson. Iam in awe of how loud the Martin is considering it’s small body. You can clearly hear each notes on the Martin CEO. On the last part (finger picking) you can clearly tell the low (bass) & the high notes (treble) on the Martin. You can’t go wrong with either really, it just comes down to price and if thats not an issue with you, then just comfortability of playing it. But I’ll go with Martin CEO personally.

[@stewartcohen7683]

To me, the Gibson has always been the singer's guitar, the Martin the guitarist's guitar, excepting rare vocal presentations. Primarily a guitarist, I have an OM, but I tell all my songwriter friends to go with Gibsons....

[@OpenEyeComa]

I own the CEO-7- it’s a tone monster- loose the thumb pick and it really rounds out beautifully- just my opinion- sweet sweet guitar-

[@oxfords1]

how do you loose a thumb pick, is there something to loosen it? I didn't know you could make it loose as opposed to tight.

[@littlebits4559]

Gibson sounds beautiful but I love the Martin. Beautiful demo.

[@texhaines9957]

Didn't realize there would be as much difference. Need to add an Iris OG to the comparison. I like the Martin in this comparison.

[@sequoi_]

Throw in the Iris MS-00 too.

[@ronlight7013]

The CEO-7 is known for having really good sound projection. It ought to be noted that the special edition Gibson is close to twice as expensive as the Martin. Maybe for some people that's not an issue, but I think for many it is. Eastman also makes a 00-size Adirondack spruce top model, and it's half the price of the Martin, so altogether you have three very similar guitars, all high quality, going from a moderate price to quite expensive. In head to head comparison, cost is just as important a consideration as performance and build quality. All three really do compare favorably.

[@lebe220]

Waterloo, by Collings.

[@markstaggs7342]

I have to go with the Gibson,Martin is not bad but I lean more to the Gibson sound,Martin D-28 is the only Martin guitar that I've ever really liked and I've owned Twelve different Martins guitars including a D-45,I own eight Taylor guitars and that's my favorite out of all my guitars,My Martin and others I like but Taylor in my opinion is my love of acoustic guitars.

[@simpleone1989]

The Gibson sounds like what I'd expect a vintage small body guitar to sound like. The Martin sounds louder and has more low end. I think I prefer the Gibson.

[@IanBroon1]

Would love to hear an Eastman E10 00ss in the mix.

[@hhpp6911]

Don't bother. Whilst they are good guitars I've just had an awful time with eastman. The ones I've had have been full of flaws.

[@gui-texzan7477]

I love historic Gibson models, but believe this Martin CEO 7 sounds amazing.✌️

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

I like this kid

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Martin sounds more complex. The Gibson sounds like grandpas front porch ( and that’s a good thing ).

[@Garden27796]

I have and love my Martin HD 35 and wouldn’t trade it, but have been looking at Gibsons for a few years, and every time I hear one I have a burning desire to buy one, it started with the J45 and now towards the CEO. There is definitely a sound that Gibson seem to get across their guitars that feels full of warmth and welcome, I love the big rich sound from my Martin too, maybe I will invest now in a Gibson….

[@doglover31418]

The CEO is the Martin....

[@tenniswilliam]

I have a D35 and a Gibson Blues King which is L00 model. They are drastically different and sound very different. Of course the D35 is a dreadnaught so bigger sound and bigger body. The Blues King gives you a 30s type of sound very old school. Martins are beautiful guitars but delicate and highly affected by condition of temperature and humidity. I need to keep the D35 most of the time in the case. The Blues King sits on the couch as it is more durable. I would say the D35 is elegant and the Blues King is fun.

[@Jeff-mn7cl]

I typically lean towards Taylor through the years. However, the Martin CEO 7 is my favorite guitar. It helped squelch GAS.

[@seancostello7608]

Martin has more punch, but the Gibson is much more evenly balanced and the high end is much nicer.

[@rosslynemrys5829]

Every time I pick up a guitar the look, the feel and the scent is so important to me and the Martin wins hands down every time. I want to like Gibson, the growl , the guitar of the bad boys, but I can't get past the scent. Martins have a woodinesss and Gibson a wierd chemical smell.

[@Getnodrama]

Thats cause you are a good boy :) Bless you

[@lebe220]

If Gibson is for the bad boys, it should smell like crack.

[@rosslynemrys5829]

Totally agree with you, Martin's scent and sound are best❤

[@stevereichl9813]

Martin for me

[@michaeleggleston4737]

You guys were right when you said the Gibson sound like a Gibson. My pick would be the Martin, it has better tone and volume. But the Gibson sounded good too in it's own way.

[@thomasknapp7236]

I didnt expect to pick the Gibson in this face off.

[@houpts]

I thought I would like Gibson better, but the Martin made me cry

[@Chance-ry1hq]

Both of these guitars sound better picked than strummed. Unless you are a finger picker I would buy either.

[@patricklundquist9869]

As a solo picker, I am drawn to the Martin. I can hear, however, that it would be much easier to sing over the Gibson.

[@user-lq6rc6yn6t]

ギターを選ぶポイントはずっと弾いていたいと思うかどうかだと思う。 手にしないとなかなかわからないね。

[@cutaway2906]

Night and day. Martin is very clearly the superior sound.

[@jazzcritter]

I’m no expert but I would like to know the thickness of the tops, my guess is that the Gibson top is slightly thicker. I prefer that because over time it will have less belly bulge and will open up nicely, nothing wrong with either one but I prefer the woody sound of the Gibson

[@KevinShaughnessy-mt9jt]

Or course its a matter of preference! The bottom line isn't Gibson vs Martin It's how does a Hummingbird sound with a D-18- or D-28 The least expensive Martin X series has great sound quality even as a laminate What is debatable is why get a loan from the bank to own a Gibson or a Martin

[@francescroig2446]

(For my taste), Gibson's sound has more "elf". Matin sounds wonderful but It seems like it's a little colder..

[@tomytomy.]

I’m a Martin guy and it’s weird for me to say this, but it liked the Gibson better in this one.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

I preferred the Gibson. The Martin was clearer, but more sterile. Prefer the look of the Martin, but the Gibson sounded like home to me.

[@Dave4291]

Both nice but the CEO7 is so responsive, always hated the name though, too corporate

[@billp5656]

Martin all the way

[@kvcl123]

Gibon tone and notes are more authoritative and distinguishable, gibson tone is pleasing to the ear

[@cielosoule3253]

Martin = articulate, snappy, clear upper mids Gibson = blended, warm, restrained mids

[@KevinShaughnessy-mt9jt]

Owning a Martin X series Yes- full body laminate isn't a disappointment ( just say'n ) We can be proud to own a Martin without getting a loan

[@stairwaytoheaven413]

Martin.

[@BrianWMay]

Seems to me that Gibson folk prefer the Gibson and Martin folk, the Martin. I have the CEO-7 now and am deeply happy with it. Quite frankly, I don't think you can make a mistake, both are stunning, beautiful guitars. Thanks for the opportunity to listen to both.

[@daciuk8]

Great demo love them both but sway towards the Gibson👍🇬🇧👍

[@Iamnickdude09]

Martin all day

[@petertownshed884]

MARTIN.

[@elabuelo9503]

Martin

[@CurtisMGalla]

Bigger fuller sound from Martin...

[@mpa1931]

Martin sounded nicer on the strumming, Gibson sounded nicer on the finger picking.

[@alfredgschweng6216]

Martin better in Picking, Gibson better in Strumming.

[@scottstambaugh8473]

Gibson.

[@leomelotattoo989]

Martin all the way, but Gibson guitars are prettier!

[@Richard_Lush]

Gibson just has a truly unique sound. To me the Martin has almost a boutique sound. Subdued.

[@JTXO705]

Gib

[@vanomaden]

No question really. The Martin wins this comparison by a mile and a half.

[@JP-gt8qr]

Quality control on Martin guitars has been always spot on but Gibson, oh man, I don't know what they're up to but they really need to get their shits together, horrible horrible quality control. played 8 Martins and 8 Gibson acoustics at guitar center and all Martins sounded absolutely amazing with unstoppable sustain but 7 out of 8 Gibsons were completely dead. Also their finishes and fret jobs are just AWEFUL.. Gibson, stop increasing the price so often, time to start increasing the quality of your guitars. PLEASE~

[@maraviyoso8473]

Oh, another Gibson hater 🙄

[@juana1483]

I love Martin Don't love Guitar Center... at all. Lying thieves

[@michaelb7498]

I mean it's not even a competition. Sounds like the L-00 is striving to sound like the CEO 7. Anyway, rumor has it the CEO-7 is one of the best acoustics ever made.

[@auramac]

Martin.