It's blue skies and new horizons with the Martin CEO-11. This limited edition release from Martin features a design crafted by Martin President and CEO Thomas Ripsam. Encapsulating so much of what makes Martin acoustic guitars outstanding individually and as a family of instruments, this Grand Auditorium is a showcase of the brand's eye for design and musicality.

With this model, Martin set out to make something distinct yet undeniably Martin. This all starts with Martin's Grand Auditorium M-14 (0000-14 Fret) body shape formed from white oak multi-piece back and sides and an FSC-certified, European flame maple-bound, European spruce top. With construction like this, this Martin starts with a baseline of tonal complexity while retaining that all-important, straight-to-the-point warmth and character. Notably, the CEO-11 features Martin's New Horizons blue burst top gloss finish along with dark mahogany-colored sides. The juxtaposition of colors makes it stand out in a crowd and ties together the whole instrument visually.

Playability starts with this CEO-11's satin-finished, two-piece flamed maple neck shaped in a GE ("Golden Era") Modified Low Oval profile. In hand, this neck plays comfortably along with an ebony fingerboard bearing twenty frets. The 25.4" scale length offers a perfectly balanced range of voices to play with as you travel from higher to lower registers. This playability is bolstered by the guitar's GE scalloped spruce forward-shifted X Brace pattern that balances and enhances the tonal output of the instrument totally.

From here, this Martin acoustic continues on with a suite of finer details and appointments to make for an aesthetically and tangibly impressive instrument. An ebony bridge with a compensated bone saddle grounds strings at the body while nickel open gear tuners align at the headstock to match. Tying everything together sweetly, these smaller hardware appointments are joined by Fishman Aura VT Blend electronics, custom-voiced to Ripsam's preference. Primed for performance with these electronics, this CEO-11 travels with an included Martin molded hardshell case.

Limited to 1,111 models, this Martin specialty is made for players looking to stand out while staying true to Martin's philosophy of musicality. Each model includes a blue paper label signed and numbered by Ripsam. Hail to the chief!

• Grand Auditorium (M-14 Fret / 0000-14 Fret) body shape
• FSC-Certified European spruce top with European flamed maple binding
• White oak back and sides
• Flamed maple neck in GE Modified Low Oval profile with satin finish
• Ebony fingerboard with twenty frets and Custom Inlay design
• Scalloped spruce forward-shifted X brace pattern
• Ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle
• Nickel open gear tuning machines
• Custom-voiced Fishman Aura VT Blend electronics system
• Martin molded hardshell case included
• Hand-signed blue paper label by Martin CEO and President Thomas Ripsam