One of the masters of Archtop Guitar Lutherie, Tom Ribbecke is a wood magician.  His Private Practice Custom made instruments utilize the finest of woods, from citka spruce and red cedar tops, to Cello maple and Koa sides and backs.  With patience and painstaking attention to detail, each instrument is carefully hand carved, voiced and shaped to perfection.

In stock now is a very special Monterey, called by Tom as one of the best instruments he has ever shaped.  We call it the Cello Maple Monterey, because of it's storied Cello Maple sides and back.  This guitar is the closest to perfection we have ever witnessed.  Possessing the clearest top, back, and side woods complemented by the most outstanding KOA trim, it has a voice of the Gods,

Also now in stock joining the Ribbecke Guitar team at Artistic Guitars is one of two 35th Anniversary Montereys built by Tom.  Using Tom's most select Birdseye Maple sides and back, with his best Italian Spruce top, and specially selected KOA and Ebony trim are joined with inlay work done by Larry Robinson.  Larry is THE artist responsible for inlays of some of the most historic guitars ever made by any builder including the famous one millionth Martin.  Only one word for this guitar - Wow !!!!

I've had the privilege of working with Tom for several years, there simply is not a finer partner in the business.

Born out of the passion of Tom Ribbecke for making fine hand crafted guitars comes Ribbecke Guitar Corporation (RGC).  With a unique, patented design, the Halfling Architecture is one of the few major innovations in archtop guitar design and construction since D'Aquisto.  With this architecture, the soundboard is flat on the bass side and arched on the treble side producing instruments that are capable of large and full fundamental bass response with clear articulation of mid-range and upper register notes.  Under Tom's watchful eye, the master's at RGC make instruments worthy of the Ribbecke name. 

Artistic Guitars collaborated on the first 3 Ribbecke Guitar Corporatation Guitars made by Tom with the Company.  Serial #s 2 and 3 remain available.  Joined in the inventory is serial number 1040, a NAMM guitar finished by Tom.  If you are an archtop buff, you owe it to yourself to try out this architecture which blends the bottom-end of a nice flattop with the mid-range focus and clarity of an archtop.  If you are a flattop lover, you will adore the flexibility offered by an RGC Halfling.