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Inside the original Martin factory, Gabe Dalporto and CEO Thomas Ripsam unpack how a nearly 200-year legacy stays timeless.
In Episode 4 of Inside the Noise, Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto talks with Martin Guitar CEO Thomas Ripsam about leading a heritage brand and why the future of acoustic guitars is as much about inspiration as it is about tone.
“My wife calls me a nerd when it comes to guitars and music,” says Ripsam. “And I’m pretty proud of that.”
Ripsam shares how his career path ultimately led him to Martin, and why stepping into the CEO role felt like a “dream come true”—not just because of his love for the brand, but because the industry is evolving at every level and creating new opportunities to honor tradition while building for tomorrow.
Ripsam also discusses the role of aesthetics in sparking creativity, as well as how new designs and finishes can help more players see themselves in the instruments. The Martin CEO-11, for example, is referenced as a limited-edition model that proves bold visual choices can be part of a classic company’s vocabulary.
Catch the full conversation and other episodes of Inside the Noise with Gabe Dalporto on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any of your favorite major platforms. When you subscribe, you’ll get new episodes every Tuesday at 3 p.m. PT.