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2002 Ribbecke Monterey

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Serial#: 402, label dated: 4/02, Signed by the maker inside of back, 1/11/02

Body size at lower bout: 17", Body Depth: 3 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/4" Nut: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .83/.93

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved tap tuned Sitka spruce top; handcarved AAAA Bigleaf flame maple back and sides; 2 piece tiger maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl and abalone headstock logo; 5-ply body, headstock, neck and soundhole binding; polished bone nut.

Hardware: Ebony hardware includes 5 ply bound finger rest, tailpiece, compensated adjustable ebony bridge and tuner buttons; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners; Bartolini/Ribbecke floating PAF pickup with thumbwheel tone and volume controls and endpin jack.

Notes: Few have done more to further the craft of the modern archtop guitar than California luthier Tom Ribbecke. Since founding his first workshop in San Francisco in 1972, Tom has produced not only master quality instruments, but master quality luthiers themselves, in workshops and videos that have made him a legend worldwide. Now relocated to scenic Sonoma County, Ribbecke continues to produce hand built masterworks of stunning quality for a few lucky players each year.

This exquisite instrument is an example of his Monterey Model, and is constructed of stunning bookmatched AAAA Bigleaf flame maple, hand carved solid Sitka spruce, and hand crafted ebony hardware. The 17" Venetian cutaway body is X-braced, tap tuned and finely hand graduated for maximum acoustic response. The neck is carved of true tiger maple, and the instrument sports presentation grade appointments like the 5 ply binding extending even to the soundholes, which are streamlined in the classic D'Angelico art-deco style.

The neck has a gentle D profile, with a generous 1 3/4" nut, and a solid feel reminiscent of the builders of the Golden Age. The voice is warm and woody, with a depth and resonance that translates smoothly through the pickup. Carefully maintained, the instrument shows no pick, buckle, thumb, fingerboard or fretwear, and has all original hardware and finish. Ribbecke's lacquer is applied whisper-thin to allow the soundboard maximum resonance and projection. Now aged over several decades, the true vintage nitro finish has aged to a warm, lustrous gold, beautifully highlighting the spectacular curly maple figure in the body and neck.

At this writing, we understand that Tom is semi-retired, and has scaled back production to a few select instruments a year, making his guitars a rare and welcome find on the vintage market. We are pleased to offer this outstanding creation from a legendary builder at the top of his craft. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe Cedar Creek arched plush lined hardshell case.

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