Tom
Ribbecke
This page will be a very exciting place to visit for the next year -- we are commissioning a special model to be built and available for sale to our customers. This guitar will be constructed of the finest materials available and you will have the pleasure of watching the entire process of a custom instrument unfold on our website. We are in the very early stages of design at this point and have had a few discussions with master builder Tom Ribbecke - the most recent discussion was at the 20th Century Guitar show on May 5th in Long Island NY. We have decided to start the process with a Monterey Model with a 17" body and work from there -- please bookmark this page and we will update it with descriptions and text as the developments take place.
First Steps: (June 14th-02)
We have decided to make a traditional style archtop guitar and will use the Monterey model as the inspiration for this. As and interesting accent the body will be bound with Koa and we are hoping to be able to use Koa for the headstock veneer, finger rest, tailpiece and bridge -- this will be a beautiful contrast to the natural finish on the instrument. The body will have traditional "s" holes and we are deciding on a quilt or flame back and sides. Wood selection is taking place right now and we should have some photos of the wood in the raw fairly soon. --- please note --- if someone wishes to own this guitar we are willing to take any input you may have to personalize it ! Stay tuned for more !!
Update (May 21-03)
For all of you that have been waiting, this is a part of the process. Patience is required to get a custom made instrument to your door. Since the last posting Tom and I have discussed many different issues - maybe building a blue guitar just like the Chinery instrument - something more modern with a side sound port - quilt or flame maple for the back - if anyone has suggestions please email me and we will be glad to consider your thoughts! This guitar will be available for sale and if someone is interested in purchasing it they will have full control of the specifications. The project should be started fairly soon so thanks for your patience and stay tuned !!
Wood Selection (Oct. 16-03)
All good things take time and Tom has finally started the project. We are considering building a matched pair of guitars -- a Monterey (possibly a 7 string) and a matching Testadura (thinline) that would be cut from the same board. The first series of photos are of the spectacular cello wood for the backs of both guitars. Enjoy the photos, this will be a real thrill to watch this project develop !!
Back
Photos 1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
Gluing the back 11
12 13
14 15
The Rims: (Oct 22-03)
The wood has been chosen for the rims (sides) of the guitar. As you would expect the finest flame maple is used for the rims and it is cut to reveal the beautiful flame maple pattern that we expect on an archtop. As you can see from the slides - this is superb maple !!
The Back: (Nov 6-03)
The beautiful figure in the back starts to become evident as the back is being pantagraphed (roughed out)
Project Moving Forward Dec - 05
We are back on track, the top back and sides are closer to completion, there will be a fair bit of activity here now, the guitar should be completed by Jan - 06. Here are some new photos of the back, top and sides.
Dec. 20th - 05
The sides are in the mold with the end block being glued up. The top is being carved out and the neck is ready for the carbon fibre re-inforcements and the truss rod.
Dec. 30th - 05
The guitar has been closed up, signed inside and it is now an acoustic chamber
Jan 7th
Clamps removed - now you can see the guitar taking shape -- should be finished in about 45 days:
Jan 13th
Neck Details - the project is moving along very quickly and the neck is now starting to take shape:
Photos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Feb 1st / 06
The neck and the body have been married, the guitar is ready for final prep and a nice new finish, this is the point where you just want to get the strings on it and play !!! Patience is a virtue !!!
Feb 11th - 06
The guitar is really taking shape, the finishing process has begun and you can now see the colour and shape, I can't wait to play this thing !!!!
Feb 27 - 06
The guitar is now being assembled, here are photo's of the pickguard with under mount controls, pickup attachment, the unique tailpiece, great looking headstock and superb binding work -- enjoy, the guitar will likely be shipping in a week - a new owner will be thrilled !!!
March 2 - 06
Completed !!!
This project has finally reached the end and the guitar is wearing a new finish and being shipped out this week !! I hope you have all enjoyed the photos and the process.
Final Photos (last 4 are large files) 1 2 3 4 5 6
This instrument is in our store and available for purchase for only $15,999 US