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c.2012 Abe Rivera 'Baby Bop'
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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" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4" Body depth: 2 3/8" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .92/1.06"
Materials: Solid hand graduated spruce soundboard; solid hand carved flame maple body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with Paua 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, Schaller mini M-6 tuners; Shadow Attila Zoller 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 Gresch, and later a first-call repairman around Long Island, Abe would later establish his own workshop there in Huntington Station. His distinctive creations gained him a cult following among Gotham City guitarists and bass players, with each instrument individually personalized for its owner.
As played by Kevin Eubanks of Tonight Show fame, this striking model is a very rare example of an all carved Rivera archtop, with a solid, hand graduated spruce soundboard, and handsomely figured curly maple back, sides and neck. Christened the Baby Bop, the comfy 15" body is just over 2" in depth, and at just 5lb 12oz, the compact guitar balances nimbly on the lap or the strap.
The full D profile neck is nicely solid in the hand, with a generous 1 3/4" nut, scalloped out of polished bone, in the style of a Renaissance lute. Body, neck and peghead feature extravagant curly maple binding, with a dark ebony fingerboard inlaid with lustrous 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 smoky dark indigo lacquer finish is all original, and subtly highlights the flamed curly maple body. Crafted in Germany by Shadow, the Attilla Zoller floating pickup is faithful to the acoustic voice of the body, which features a hollow spruce center block to reduce feedback and increase sustain.
Presented by its original owner, the guitar has been maintained in gleaming condition, without cracks, checking, pick, thumb, fingerboard or fret wear, and showing only a small incidental buckle mark on the back. The guitar has smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, and a fine warm voice with excellent detail. Of special note are the inlaid ebony control knobs, in a distinctive design.
A true prize for the player or collector, Rivera's creations are few and far between on the vintage market. A rare find 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.
