Guitars
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2017 Retrograde Guitars Corralitos, Flame Maple Laminate
We’re more than happy to announce our latest partnership with Glenn Nichols’ Retrograde Guitars, restoration maestro and electric guitar experimenteur! The curves of his Corralitos model are velvet smooth in hand-rubbed varnish and a dark burst, with McNelly Bliss humbuckers and wedge-adjustable bridge—and we haven’t started in on the tone yet, or the playability. Electric guitars don’t often come with such flawless fit-n-finish and appointments, but Nichols spared not one iota of attention in designing and executing this marvelously light electric to cover a wide range of musical territories.
Handmade McNelly Bliss humbuckers based on old PAFs, 1950s style wiring to maximize vintage flair, and Emerson pots for good measure. The body is finished with an oil varnish recipe originally designed for the Spruce masts of ships to maximize flexibility and durability; the neck is spirit varnished, feels warm and smooth to the touch. These choices came from Glenn’s myriad years honing his finish craft at Santa Cruz, Kenny Hill, and more recently with Bill Tippin. Spanish Cedar neck, blocking, and kerfing relieves the guitar of extra bulk (this electric weights in at a scant 5lbs 8oz), and the lively acoustic response of Nichols’ laminated Maple body translates delectably into the pickup tone. This Corralitos is your guide and constant companion for everything across the electric horizon.
If you want to read more about Glenn Nichols and his work, check out our latest conversation here: https://www.dreamguitars.com/dream-familys-newest-sons-glenn-nichols-corralitos/.
Common misspellings: glen nichols, glenn nichals, glenn nickles, glenn nikols, coralitos, corallitos, corrallitos, corrallittos, coralittos
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Maple - Laminate, Maple - Laminate (back) 
1979 Manuel Reyes Flamenco, Cypress/Spruce
This Flamenco is a special treat. Built in 1979 by the world famous Manuel Reyes, this beauty has been well loved and played in, with a classic quick response and attack. Cypress back and sides paired with Spruce top and 657mm scale, clear tap plates. Weighs in right at three pounds, the Reyes is light and agile in hand. Our 1979 Manuel Reyes Flamenco comes in a solid Mark Leaf flight case.
Other keywords: flamenca, blanca, cypress, manual reyes, classical, david stevenson, vintage guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.875 in Nut Width 2.125 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce, Cypress 
2014 Ribbecke “Imagine” Halfling Pin Bridge Archtop, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Bring to mind the video of John Lennon and Yoko Ono for “Imagine.” You know the one: it begins with the two walking along a misty path, and before long John is sitting at an all-white piano in an all-white room of an all-white country estate singing one of their most famous songs. Tom Ribbecke took this alabaster image to heart when he first conceived of this particular Halfling pin bridge archop project.
Indian Rosewood back and sides are paired with a three-piece Maple neck Cedar top which are both painted a creamy white. Simple Ebony bindings and trim delineate Rosewood from Spruce, and the Ebony pickguard and bridge set off the milky expanse of Ribbecke’s Halfling top plate—bass-side flat, treble-side arched—and the offset soundhole balances out the image. Beneath the hood lies a B-Band 22r UST pickup with volume control mounted inside the soundhole and terminates in the end pin jack. A 1 3/4” nut and 25.4” scale feel right at home on the gently curved C profile neck, and the setup is dialed in for slinky playability.
The voice is round, focused, and warm at the edges, with hints of punchiness in the bass. It’s not quite a flattop for brashness, and it’s not all the way an archtop for woof, but it blends the two in such a way that individual notes are three-dimensional and distinct, and they have a habit of hanging in the air. It’s easy to spend a long time exploring the tonal (to say nothing of the visual) nuances of Ribbecke’s unique top voicing techniques and the ability of his pin bridge archtops to provide a unique flavor to a wide range of genres and playing styles.
Here’s an additional demo with Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/sXXxoe8VWgw
Check out a riff with Paul here: https://youtu.be/KwRx7szuvYg
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian 
2009 Ribbecke Testadura, Maple/Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Here’s the perfect juxtaposition of fat, juicy tone and a lightweight semi-hollow build. Tom Ribbecke’s Testadura (Italian for “hard head”) model is a satin-smooth operator with fit-n-finish flawlessness to match the power and dynamism of twin Tom Holmes humbuckers. This beauty was built in 2009 and has been well-cared for since then (hardly any marks!); carved Bigleaf Maple back with Brazilian Rosewood sides and a carved Sitka Spruce top, gold hardware with Koa appointments. A tung oiled neck for maximum lefthand glide, this one feels like wellworn jeans under your palm. All wrapped up in a custom Calton case for safe keeping for those trying times when you can’t be playing—fair warning, this Ribbecke will compromise your ability to make time for much else; it’s hard to put down for any length of time.
Other keywords: electric guitar, jazz, rock guitar, gibson, gotoh, double cutaway, tom ribbecke guitars
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.05 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Bigleaf 
New Ribbecke Compliant Rim 15 Inch, Bigleaf Maple/Cedar
Tom Ribbecke needs no introduction here; the work is proof positive. We’ve landed a brand new 15 inch archtop with Tom’s latest compliant rim feature that’s a breeze to play and offers a warm balanced response both acoustically and amplified. Bigleaf Maple back and sides with a Red Cedar top, Koa bindings, and a tasty red Nitro finish. Floating Bartolini pickup with volume and tone knobs under the pickguard, and Tom’s offset soundhole which enhances the bass response and really lets the Cedar top/ compliant rim sing.
Other keywords: cedar creek, electric guitar, jazz, rock guitar, gibson, gotoh, tom ribbecke guitars
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Maple - Bigleaf 
Brand New Ribbecke Gold Top Testadura, Ebony & Maple/Sitka Spruce
As Tom Ribbecke approaches retirement (not just yet!), we’re excited to see that he’s 100% on top of his game, and building the best pieces of his career. This new Testadura Gold Top cements his reputation for innovation, tone, and playability—in a strikingly beautiful package. For this 15 inch semi-hollow/hollow body, Tom paired Ebony sides with an air-dried, cello grade Bigleaf Maple back and Sitka Spruce on top. Koa bindings throughout, 24 3/4” scale and a comfortable 1 3/4” nut plus glossy neck and effortless playability with a compound radiused fretboard from 12 to 15. Golden Age PAF reproductions with a three-way switch, stop tailpiece, and Ebony pickguard for an extra touch of elegance (note the Koa-bound F holes, too). A work of functional art, indeed. And this Testadura is so, so functional.
Other keywords: cedar creek, electric guitar, jazz, rock guitar, gibson, gotoh, double cutaway, tom ribbecke guitars
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.75 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple 
2014 Ribbecke Halfling Pin Bridge Archtop, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
True balance is a rare thing in this world. Poised perfectly between bass and treble, sustain and attack—a rare thing. Tom Ribbecke’s Halfling top threads the needle just so. Check out our demo for this Indian Rosewood & Sitka Spruce Halfling pin bridge archtop, and listen for the roundness of the treble response and just a tinge of added warmth in the lower register that brightens up the bass. There’s an archtop-esque pop to individual notes that allows for flatpicked passages to stand out, and lots of headroom. Ribbecke blessed this neck with an oil-slick setup that practically plays itself. When we experimented with dropped tunings, the voice remained crisp and focused and cut well.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian 
2019 Ribbecke Testadura MK, Maple & Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Well lookie here! We’ve landed a dream machine of a guitar from the hands of one of America’s finest: Tom Ribbecke and his Testadura MK model. Tight fiddleback Maple back, Indian Rosewood sides, and Sitka Spruce on top of this hollow body/semi-hollow (more on that duality later) guitar—done up in a striking blue hue that sets off the gold hardware and Koa bindings. Single humbucker with volume and tone knobs built into the underside of the Ebony pickguard, upper bout soundhole, weighs in at 7lbs 5oz. This 2019 Testadura MK features one of Tom’s unique additions to the electric world: an internal system to switch between a 330 and 335, or hollow body and semi-hollow respectively. There’s a small block, shaped in a subtle wedge, that can be easily installed through the pickup cavity and a custom tool (we’ve got one here with the guitar, no worries) which pulls the block into place inside the guitar, effectively coupling the back and top and creating a semi-hollow.
Other keywords: cedar creek, electric guitar, jazz, rock guitar, gibson, gotoh
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Figured 
New Ribbecke Master Series Dreadnought, Honduran Walnut/Western Red Cedar
Our latest Halfling from the Ribbecke Master Series comes with an inspiration from the Dreadnought guitar for added bass and punch, not to mention projection. Dubbed “Whisper Gray” for the translucent finish on the Red Cedar top, this Ribbecke has Honduran Walnut back and sides (renowned for its density), Tom’s asymmetrical carved Halfling top and bracing, and a B-Band UST pickup system. Compared to the other Master Series guitars we’ve had in, this one has an extra heaping dose of woody punch that shows up especially in the mids, and a sweetly dialed in string-to-string balance that feels at home for both flatpicked runs and fingerstyle arrangements.
The neck is finished in satin, and feels smooth and personal the moment you take a hold. Standard 25.4” scale with a 1.75” nut and a 12.5’ fretboard radius, bone nut and saddle, and a thin, removable Ebony pickguard round out the portrait of the Gray Whisper: smooth operator, put together, elegant at a glance and at a touch.Other keywords: arched top, arch top, jazz, archtop, tom ribbecke, gotoh, reunion blues, lutherie, luthier, dreadnaught, strumming
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.18 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Walnut - Honduran 
2010 Ribbecke Halfling Maple/Cedar
This is a custom Ribbecke Halfling with a Cedar top over thin 2 1/2″ hollow Big Leaf Maple body. The idea of the Halfling is that the treble half of the top is arched and the bass half is flat. This combines the open, full bass of a flat top with punch of an Archtop. This one-off Halfling features a multiscale fingerboard with a scale of 26.5″ on the bass and 25″ on the treble side. This makes it possible to play in a variety of tunings as well as standard and improves the intonation and feel greatly. You can powerful bass and sweet trebles. The best of all worlds, flat top/archtop/short scale/long scale!
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.69 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Cedar - Red, Maple - Bigleaf 
2009 Ribbecke Halfling Pin Bridge Indian Rswd/Sitka
The Ribbecke Halfling concepts combines a Flattop design with that of an Archtop. The bass side of the soundboard is flat while the treble side is arched. From the Ribbecke website “The Halflings� are capable of large full fundamental bass response with the ability to hear and distinguish all the notes of a complex chord when ringing together.” Just a few minutes playing this Ribbecke guitar and you can sense how unique the design is. The bass is much more responsive than an archtop, yet the trebles have the clarity and punch archtop players will love.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Indian 
1996 Ribbecke Monterey Curly Maple/Sitka
The Monterey is an example of the highest art of Archtop building. Tom Ribbecke is well known in the guitar world and has a long history of being a premiere luthier. The Monterey is a top of the line model with top quality materials and craftsmenship. You simply can’t find a better archtop and this one plays with ease.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple 
Rickenbacker 381V69 Custom Shop Hollow Body Maple/Maple
From Rickenbacker: Derived from a design dating back to 1957, this guitar is memorable for its hand-carved arch top and back. Employing only premium ‘charactered’ Maple, model 381V69 has a full bound body with ‘checked’ binding and extreme double cutaways, along with a bound crescent sound hole to complete this exquisite guitar.
New 2015 Ritter Princess Isabella German Alder
Put this 2015 Ritter Princess Isabella in a crowded room of guitars, and you could still find the Isabella in seconds. From the progressively curved shape of the body to the exquisite woods (German Alder body, Swietenia Mahogany neck), we’re talking about an instrument which stands head and shoulders (and what shoulders they are!) above even top-of-the-line electrics. Jens Ritter has included his trademark, handcast brass bows for a tailpiece which functions as an “attack delay” feature, and has shaped the body to be extra thin (just under an inch) to keep the weight of the instrument down. Instead of using a traditional “floating” bridge or attaching the bridge with studs into the body, the hand cast bridge foot is “mounted” into a small hollowed area carved into the body that exactly matches the contour of the bridge foot, which is held in place by friction and only makes contact with a 2mm thin elliptical contour ridge along the hollow area. Thus, most of the surface area on the interior side of the bridge foot and the bridge studs “float” in the hollow area. With a Haeussel Custom Fat-Jazz pickup and 24.75″ scale, this beast is ready for any and all kinds of music you throw at it.
1998 Rivero Classical Brazilian/Cedar
Here we have a Rivero classical in Cedar and Brazilian Rosewood. This Rivero is a delight to hear, it has a wonderful breathiness of tone that makes this guitar seem almost alive when played. Traditional Spanish pieces really shine when played on this guitar. It has a lovely balance from bass to treble that keeps complex notation clear and precise. This is serious professional tone at a great price. Grab this one while you can!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 2.07 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian