Tom Ribbecke Custom Monterey, Preowned

Condition: This guitar was custom built for guitarist and artist Dekel Bor. It has been his main touring guitar and because of that does show signs of wear. We would classify the condition as very good +. There are assorted dings and scrapes throughout the guitar but nothing that breaks through the beautiful finish. The frets show wear but doesn’t seem to affect the guitar’s playability. The binding on the neck and body has some chipping. The tone is absolutely superb and a great example of Tom Ribbecke’s lutherie skills.

DECKEL BOR'S WORDS ON THIS GUITAR:
Tom Ribbecke and I were in talks about this guitar for long time, looking to do something very special, something that Tom hadn't done before, so it was a one of a kind from the get go.

We started with the Monterey model, and thinned it down to allow not just feedback control - but also ease of "hugging" the guitar and right hand movement without fatigue. The guitar's sound with some overdrive is actually kind of amazing.

The choice of one F-hole was something that excited Tom - it really worked wonders with the 16" size of the top, creating amazing balance between the energy that goes to the bridge, strings and pickup and the energy that is released. I think it also looks fantastic, and obviously very unique.

As tom was so excited about it, he set aside really old wood for the top and back, and in retrospect I see how dramatically figured the wood is. We chose a modern bridge for tonal and visual reasons. The F-hole is bound in koa, but the guitar is bound in plastic - to better protect the guitar. The rest of the visual aspects are there to support the demands of the road. This is a guitar built to handle anything and everything.

I toured across the US and Europe with her. It has "opened up" in ways that only a guitar which is played 4-8 hrs a day over a long period of time does - it's just a rare sounding guitar.

ABOUT TOM RIBBECKE
Tom Ribbecke has been building guitars for over thirty years. He is one of the premier archtop builders in the world, with a considerable waiting list and many different models of guitars and basses employing carved top and back technology. He also makes conventional steel string and classical guitars to order. His tools and fixtures, and plans, are offered by several luthier supply houses. Tom has consistently brought innovation to his chosen field.

Tom’s guitars have been displayed at The Smithsonian, and the MOMI (Museum of Musical Instruments in Boston). He is a former 10 year director and board president of A.S.I.A. (Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans) and has been published extensively in American Lutherie Magazine.