Maury's Blog

C.F. Martin & Co. Appoints New CEO!

Leadership Transition Ensures Growth and Stability for America’s Legendary Guitar Maker

On behalf of the Board of Directors of C.F. Martin & Co., we are happy to announce that Thomas Ripsam has been appointed the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Effective today, June 14, 2021, Mr. Ripsam succeeds longtime Chairman and CEO, Christian Frederick Martin IV, who assumes the role of Executive Chairman.

The terms “X-bracing,” “forward-shifted bracing,” and “scalloped bracing” are encountered all over the internet and often mentioned by Maury when discussing Martin guitars. But many people do not understand what these terms actually refer to and why they matter when it comes to the sound production of an acoustic guitar. And since Martin simplified their public spec sheets in recent years, there is even less information on their website concerning the details of what bracing is being employed to make their many different models.

Mahogany or Rosewood? The answer is “Yes!” Yes to both. We are now going to explore the marvelous qualities that make mahogany and rosewood the most revered tonewoods used to create world-class acoustic guitars, in this, our May edition of Maury's Music’s A vs. B.

What is the difference between the Martin D-28 and the upgraded version of it, the HD-28? On Monday, February 8, Maury took part in an online symposium dedicated to comparing these most-loved Martin models and how scalloped bracing played a part in their evolution. The panel included Aaron Short who was hosting it on his YouTube channel, Aaron Short Music, and featured our pal Spoon Phillips. Read more!

As with most exotic species of wood, Guibourtia ehie has several common names. But in the world of musical instruments it is known as ovangkol. The latest Martin guitars to feature ovangkol are the D-16E Burst and OMC-16E Burst, the all-solid wood wonders that use it for the back and sides, and for their gorgeous tops under a high gloss mahoganyburst finish! And aren’t they pretty?

To Auld Lang Syne and the Coming New Year!
Our final blog post for 2020 looks back across this most unusual of years to remind all of us how the power of music has brought so many together when they couldn’t even be in the same room. Maury had a wonderful time making music via the internet with so many talented artists. And we have enjoyed experiencing the music of our many friends and customers who have shared their own love of music onYouTube and Facebook and other forms of social media.

Martin’s Standard Series, Reimagined for the Twenty-First Century

In 2018, Martin Guitars released the Reimagined Standard Series, with upgraded features for acoustic guitar models made in Styles 18 and above. This is why you will see (2018) next to the name of a Martin guitar model, e. g. 00-18 (2018) or D-42 (2018.) Extra, extra - read all about it!

Martin vs Martin!  It's like dueling pianos - without the pianos ... and we don't really duel. :D

Q: Why isn’t the Martin M-36 called an M-35?
The M-36 is a classic Martin model with a unique configuration of features found nowhere else. Those familiar with Martin's catalog see the M-36 and recognize how closely it resembles guitars made in the classic Style 35. So why did they call it M-36? Let's find out!

Why Choose a Martin 00 Instead of a 000? (Or Vice Versa) As we contemplate and compare the similarities between the wonderful Martin 000-16E Granadillo and 00-16E Granadillo, the differences between them are definitely in the details.