JUNE 27, 2008 - ONLY 4 SLOTS REMAINING!

 

THE FINAL 10 RIBBECKE TESTADURA THINLINES

Tom Ribbecke is stepping to his bench to build the final 10 Testaduras of his career. The Testadura is considered by many to be the finest 335 style guitar made. With it's unique removable center block, master grade Sitka Spruce top, Big Leaf maple back, Brazilian Rosewood sides and Tom's masterful hands putting it all together, the end result could be nothing short of spectacular.

DestroyAllGuitars in special arrangement with Tom Ribbecke is proud to be exclusively representing these treasures.

The Testadura is a legendary guitar and one rarely seen for sale as their owners tend to never part with them. It is the ultimate 335 style guitar and Tom is now making it possible for those who have dreamt of one day owning one, to have their dream fulfilled.

The Testadura's design is based on the venerable Gibson 335. The top and back are carved from solid wood as opposed to the plywood top and back of the original design. The top is Spruce, the back is quilted bigleaf maple and the sides are Brazilian rosewood. This instrument is bound in ivoroid and features a 24.625" scale length with a traditional stop tailpiece and bridge.

The neck is carved from a single piece of mahogany and is carbon fiber reinforced with graphite epoxy. An adjustable, advanced design, 2 way truss rod ensures control of action in all climates and the frets are polished to the 12,000 grit level, approximately the level of optical clarity. The peghead is laminated with layers of dyed veneers to reveal a curved decorative effect in the finished neck, much like the old banjo technique seen in modern instruments such as the Alembic Bass. This assures an unbreakable, energy efficient peghead which is guaranteed against failure or fracture.

Perhaps the most important and unique feature of the Testadura is it's removable center block which allows conversion from semi-hollow to truly free top design, providing it's owner with two very distinct and differently voiced guitars in one package. Finishes are either a toasted honey amber or sunburst and we are now accepting orders...

Nut Width: 1 3/4 at nut & 2.2" at 19th Fret

Frets :22

Scale: 24 3/4"

Lower Bout: 15" with F holes

Body Depth: 1 1/2

Pickups: Custom Seymour Duncan Humbuckers

Pickup Rings: Ebony

Electronics:1 Master Vol, 1 Tone & 3 way Toggle

Top: Master Grade Sitka Spruce

Sides: Master Grade Brazilian Rosewood

Neck: One piece Mahogany with carbon graphite reinforcement

Back: Master Grade Big leaf maple

Bridge: Tune-a-matic stop tailpiece bridge

Tuners: Gotoh 510 with ebony buttons

Binding: Ivoroid binding with bwbw purfling as all Ribbecke private label instruments

Pickguard: bound or unbound( recommended) ebony

Fretwire: .045" high, .085" wide

Fingerboard: rosewood(recommended) or ebony

Fingerboard Inlays: Dots with brass surrounds

Finish: Nitro lacquer with choice of sunburst or toasted honey amber

Delivery: One year from receipt of 50% deposit for the first guitar in this series with 2 months added for each subsequent instrument ordered.

Case: Cedar Creek Custom or Calton Case for a $500.00 upcharge..Gray and black ...

PRICE: $14,500