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2008 Kiso Ribbecke KR-1

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Serial#: 003

Body size at lower bout: 17", Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25 1/4" Nut: 1 3/4"

Finish: Amber blonde, nitrocellulose lacquer type.

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved tap tuned spruce top; carved tiger flame maple back and sides; 3 piece figured maple neck with flame maple facing on back of peghead; solid ebony fingerboard; 5-ply body, headstock, neck and soundhole binding; solid bone nut.

Hardware: All original hardware includes 5 ply bound ebony finger rest; ebony tailpiece and tuner buttons; gold Gotoh 18X1 tuners, compensated adjustable ebony bridge; Kent Armstrong 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 among builders worldwide. Now relocated to scenic Sonoma County, Ribbecke continues to produce hand built masterworks of stunning quality for a few lucky players each year.

With the aim of putting a hand-carved luthier built instrument in the hands of the working player, Ribbecke teamed with the master artisans of Kiso Valley, a scenic region in Japan's Nagano Prefecture long known for its tradition of fine luthiery. With Tom's original design and supervision, and an ageless legacy of meticulous craftsmanship, this magnificent guitar is the result. Adapted from the specifications of Ribbecke's upscale Monterey Model, the KR-1 is constructed of bookmatched AAA Bigleaf tiger flame maple, hand carved solid Sitka spruce, and hand crafted ebony hardware.

The 17" Venetian cutaway body is X-braced, tap tuned and finished in a lustrous amber blonde. The 3 piece neck is fitted with a solid ebony fingerboard, and the body sports presentation-grade appointments like the multi-ply flame maple headplate, and 5 ply binding extending even to the soundholes, a level of detail rare in our experience.

The neck has a gently rounded D profile, with a generous 1 3/4" nut, and an elegant, tailored feel in the palm. The voice is warm, with an attractive woodiness that translates smoothly through the Armstrong floating PAF pickup. Produced in very limited quantities, each Kiso was tuned by hand at Ribbecke's Healdsburg workshop. If it all seems to good to be true, unfortunately it was, as the short production run of the KR-1 has yet to be reissued.

We are pleased to offer this rare value, in virtually unplayed condition. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. 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 arched plush lined hardshell case.

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