August 27, 2025

Tag: Ripsam

Acoustic Guitars / NAMM

Review: Martin CEO-11

one manby one man0

Thomas Ripsam’s CEO-11 is an exquisite work of art

The Chief Executive of Martin Guitar has surpassed his sublime CEO-10, which is really saying something

Martin CEO-11 specs include: 14-fret Grand Auditorium body size; solid tonewoods include figured white oak sides and three-piece back; FSC-certified European spruce soundboard with unique New Horizons burst finish and custom inlays and half-herringbone “rope” purfling; European flamed maple binding; two-piece flamed maple neck with dark mahogany stain, and GE Modified Low Oval profile and neck heel; ebony fingerboard with custom abalone inlays and High Performance Taper, 1-3/4″ at the bone nut, 2-1/8″ at 12th fret; ebony bridge with bone saddle and bone pins with abalone dots; ebony headstock face plate with abalone Unalome inlay and open nickle tuners; Fishman Aura electronics with custom-voiced microphone image.

“Gorgeous to see, lovely to hear. The versatility of this acoustic-electric lap piano is immediately evident from its bass-to-treble balance and its clear yet colorful tonal pallet.”

Read the Full Review 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.”