Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

archtop.com

c.2012 Abe Rivera 'Bop Model'

Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].

Hand signed by the maker. Body size at lower bout: 15 3/4" Scale length: 25 1/4" Nut width: 1 7/8" Body depth: 3 5/8" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .94/1.07"

Materials: Solid hand graduated spruce soundboard; solid hand carved flame maple body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with abalone inlay and adjustable truss rod; curly maple binding and headplate; bound f-holes; scalloped bone nut.

Hardware: Solid ebony suspended pickguard, engraved tailpiece, volume and tone knobs; gold Schaller compensated adjustable roller bridge with maple/ebony base, gold Schaller mini M-6 tuners; Bartolini floating humbucking pickup.

Notes: Don't go looking for Abe Rivera's website. With celebrity players like Pat Martino, Kevin Eubanks and other top artists, he didn't really need one, either.

A native Puerto Rican, Rivera played vibes in a number of jazz combos early in his career, and was an accomplished guitarist as well. A head luthier at Gretsch, and later a first-call repairman around Long Island, Abe would later establish his own workshop there in Huntington Station. Until his passing in 2020, Rivera's distinctive creations gained him a cult following among Gotham City guitarists and bass players, with each instrument individually personalized for its owner.

This distinctive guitar is a rare example of an all-carved, full depth Rivera archtop, with a solid, hand graduated spruce soundboard, and spectacular figured curly maple back, sides and neck. Christened the Bop Model, the full depth 15 3/4" body is crafted with a deep Venetian cutaway enhancing access to the extended 22 fret fingerboard.

The highly flamed U profile neck is nicely full in the hand, with a generous 1 7/8" fingerboard, ideal for the classical or fingerstyle player. Scalloped out of polished bone, the nut echoes the style of instruemnts of the Renaissance era as well. Body, neck and peghead feature extravagant curly maple binding, with a dark ebony fingerboard inlaid with iridescent Paua abalone.

Signature appointments include the floral motif engraved in the ebony tailpiece, a small heart in the back of the peghead, and the maker's initials inlaid into the upper bass bout of the soundboard. The honey blonde finish is nicely ambered and highlights the flamed maple body to great advantage. The hand crafted Bartolini floating pickup is faithful to the acoustic voice of the body, which features a unique center braced soundboard.

Presented by its original owner, the guitar has been maintained in pristine condition, without cracks, checking, or playwear. The fingerboard has smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, and a rich, warm, classic bop era voice. Of special note are the inlaid ebony control knobs, in a distinctive design.

A unique find for the player or collector, Rivera's creations are few and far between on the vintage market. A rare prize from a legendary craftsman: one only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge flatwound nickel strings. 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe black plush lined hardshell case.

Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends