November 21, 2024

Tag: CEO

Acoustic Guitars / NAMM / Review

Martin CEO-10 Reivew

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Martin Guitar’s CEO Thomas Ripsam presents his CEO-10 model

NAMM 2023 has a Best in Show candidate in this short-scale 000 CEO-10

CEO-10 specs include: Solid tonewoods throughout, 14-fret 000 body size; figured Guatemalan rosewood back and sides, FSC certified European spruce top with 1933 Ambertone shading and Style 42 abalone purling and rosette; 1/4″ scalloped FSC certified European spruce bracing with Golden Era scalloping, composite carbon fiber/torrefied Adirondack spruce bridge plate; solid South American mahogany short-scale neck with Vintage Deluxe profile and two-way adjustable titanium alloy support rod; ebony fingerboard with Higher Performance taper, 1-3/4″ width at the bone nut, 2-/8″ width at the 12th fret, abalone fret position markers in circa 1917 William Foden pattern; ebony belly bridge with bone drop-in saddle and 2-5/32″ string spacing, and Style 42 snowflake inlays; wood fiber accents and back strip; flamed European maple binding on the body, neck, and headstock; Guatemalan rosewood headstock face plate with abalone 1932 C. F. Martin & Co. script logo over 1930 Style 45 Deluxe abalone torch inlay; Waverly open-back butter bean tuning machines; Guatemalan rosewood pickguard with abalone Style 45 Deluxe floral inlay. Limited to 100 instruments.

“The Martin CEO-10 has a full-bodied voice with impressive bass response and an expansive, ethereal projection that sounds much more like a long-scale OM to my ear, than the typical gathered and punchy sound of a short-scale 000. Yet it offers the playability of the shorter string scale, made all the more comfortable thanks to the asymmetrical Vintage Deluxe neck profile.”

Martin_CEO-10 onemanz.com

Full Review with Video Here




Acoustic Guitars

C. F. Martin Introduces New CEO, Thomas Ripsam

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Corporate growth strategist Thomas Ripsam to head Martin Guitars

The new CEO who is an avid guitarist, but new to the business

Chris Martin remains as Executive Chairman

Thomas_Ripsam_New_Martin_Gutiars_CEOLEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., June 14, 2021 — C.F. Martin & Co. announced today that Thomas Ripsam has been appointed the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Effective today, Mr. Ripsam succeeds longtime Chairman and CEO, Christian Frederick Martin IV, who assumes the role of Executive Chairman.

An experienced growth strategist and leader, Mr. Ripsam has a deep passion for companies with a strong heritage and legacy. He is a trusted advisor and business partner, having guided numerous boards of directors and leadership teams to shape strategies and deliver results. His expertise in strategy development, digital/technology deployment and continuous improvement will ensure the continued growth of the 188-year-old company.

After 35 years as C.F. Martin & Co. CEO, Chris Martin is stepping into his new leadership role of Executive Chairman. During his time as CEO, Mr. Martin has guided the company through booms and crises, leaving a legacy of growth and manufacturing excellence. This transition comes as the company is experiencing unprecedented demand for its products.

“First, I want to thank everyone in the music products business for their support during my 35-year career as CEO of my family’s business. What a ride!” said Mr. Martin. “I complete my term as NAMM Chairman this July at the show in Nashville, and I have been thinking about retiring for several years, so this felt like the right time. I look forward to transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman of Martin Guitar where I will continue to be a cheerleader for the Martin brand. I am excited to work with Thomas as he gets to know all of us and shares the love we all have for the guitar.”

Chris Martin hands the reins to Mr. Ripsam, who, over the course of his 25+ year career, first at Booz Allen & Hamilton, and most recently as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, took on leadership responsibilities for growing the business, developing service offerings and managing teams. He has worked with consumer goods companies, specialty retailers, technology solutions providers, Fortune 50 companies and family owned businesses, helping to drive profitable growth, enhancing digital capabilities, improving customer experience and engagement, and generating hundreds of millions in incremental value for his clients.

An avid guitar player, Mr. Ripsam collects fretted instruments and even took a sabbatical in 2019 to work with a luthier to learn about the process of building acoustic guitars – in the style of Martin. He holds an MBA in Strategy & Finance from Columbia Business School and a BA in Business Administration and Management from Reutlingen University in Germany and Middlesex University in London.

“I have admired Martin guitars since I was a teenager,” said Ripsam. “My first real acoustic was a Martin guitar and it has been a close companion to me since.  Martin has always been an iconic fretted instrument builder and I have a deep appreciation for the company’s continued focus on quality, craftsmanship and innovation, as well as its unique culture and history. I am honored and humbled to join the Martin family and to carry on the legacy of Chris Martin and his predecessors.”