FROM THE TOP JONATHAN SPANGLER I CIARI GUITARS
SPECS THAT HE REALLY WANTED INCLUDED IN THE GUITAR? The process was fundamentally iterative. Steve pro - vided his guidance and requests at the outset, and we did our best to hit the mark. He reviewed and provided feedback on our various prototypes, and we collectively narrowed in on the final product. Steve wanted to make his signature series the epitome of functionality and style, leveraging our pre-existing folding system to be the best of all worlds, fusing quality, convenience, and aesthetic appeal. On the functionality front, he requested Bare Knuckle Rebel Yell pickups, an onboard tuner and premium elec -
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE?
As a patent attorney, I have a natural curiosity and de - sire to understand. While we have subject matter experts in given areas, I believe it’s imperative to understand all aspects of the business in order to create a culture of transparency and accountability — out of respect for the team as well as the underlying technology/opportunity. AS A PLAYER YOURSELF, DO YOU PLAY OUT? I gig on occasion, but not as part of an ongoing band or group. I tend to sit in for a few songs, or grab the stage while a band is on break, mainly to have fun and
tronics with independent tone, vol - ume, and coil splits for broad tonal optionality. On the aesthetic front, he requested his Ray Gun logo on the pickguard and truss rod cover, clear plastic on the chambers on the back of the body (a nod to vintage axes), a multi-color LED tied into the pickup selector switch to provide vi - sual indicator of position (on the tip of the Ray Gun, no less), gloss finish with binding, and trapezoidal inlays and a gloss pink body on the Pre - mier model. AMAZING. SWITCHING GEARS A LITTLE BIT, HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE TODAY? We have nine team members, in - cluding four luthiers at our shop in
pursue my goal of playing Folsom Prison Blues in all 50 states — odd but true. Other than that, I do most of my playing around the campfire or while anchored out with friends and family. WHAT IS THE LAST BAND OR SONG YOU STREAMED? Billy Idol — his new album, “Dream Into It,” is fantastic! HAVE TO GIVE THAT A LISTEN. WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO SEE CIARI GUITARS GO IN THE FUTURE? My vision for Ciari Guitars is to become an innovation company more broadly, and not just a fold - ing guitar company. That’s where we started, of course, but there’s
“UNLIKE RICKY BOBBY, THE PHRASE ‘IF YOU’RE NOT FIRST, YOU’RE LAST’ DOESN’T APPLY TO BUSINESS.”
Nashville, Tennessee. Speaking of which, if you or your readers are ever in Nashville, please stop by and see us. You can ask any questions of our luthiers, see our Plek machine in action and try an Ascender (or 10) in our Artist Lounge. Our shop is less than two miles from [downtown] Broadway, so it’s super close to the action. A LOT OF COMPANY FOUNDERS ARE BI-COASTAL. HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED BEING HEADQUAR- TERED IN SAN DIEGO AND HAVING A WORK- SHOP IN NASHVILLE? I’ve managed through travel and constant communica - tion. I visit our shop in Nashville about once every six weeks, give or take. When I do, of course I’m traveling with at least one Ascender — and sometimes as many as three — as I can fit two in a roller bag for the overhead as a carry-on and one in my Ciari Backpack that fits under the seat as a personal item. For communication, we use Zoom video for most of our meetings, which, as we all learned during the pandemic, is a cost-effective way to stay connected.
much more to Ciari Guitars than meets the eye. We get there by continuing to evolve and elevate the guitar market with a full line of folding fretted instru - ments, including electric, acoustic and bass, so qual - ity and convenience are no longer mutually exclusive. We believe every guitar collection needs a Ciari Guitar — as a constant companion on your guitar journey. It’s ideal for the stage, studio and everywhere in between. We also get there by leveraging our broad patent port - folio for licensing and/or development, which includes a host of innovative accessories, as well as our patented Music Oasis in-airport guitar lounge. IF YOU WEREN’T WORKING IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’D BE DOING FOR WORK? I’d probably start a new company with my daugh - ter to develop a softball pitching training system that we invented during her journey as a pitcher. Being a girl-dad-meets-pitching-parent is both stressful but magical. MI
30 I MUSIC INC. I AUGUST 2025
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