Ribbecke Chambered Electric Halfling - Barely used

This is the new Ribbecke Guitar Corp.(RGC) Chambered Electric Halfling guitar. It utilizes technologies of the Testadura instruments from Ribbecke's private practice, in the anchoring of the bridge and tailpiece into a sub top rosewood or wenge block, and has the structure and rock stability at high volume of a true chambered electric. It has the bite and high-end crunch of a true solidbody but has the enhanced integrity and presence in the mids and bass of the Testadura hollow-body. The top and chambering is asymmetrical and if you tap on both sides of the bridge you will hear the octave separation of the chambers. It features a 1 3/4" nut and as 25" scale, has a carbon fiber reinforced neck and a two way adjustable truss rod. It features the laminated headstock as in all Ribbecke products and has a fit and joined maple neck. It has a cedar (spruce is also offered) top which is designed to be slightly microphonic. It is this percussive effect created from this top that truly defines its characteristic sound.

This is a very special guitar that was made for CR Guitars, and we have been awaiting its arrival for some time.

Typically, all production of the Halfling models is handled by Tom's hand-picked and personally trained guitar makers in a shop dedicated to making Halflings. That allows Tom to focus on his custom instruments. With this guitar, however, because Tom and I have been good friends for so many years, he agreed to step in and do all the finish work himself. So the woodworking was done at the Halfling shop, and the finish completed by the master's hand.

Tom's concept of 'halfling' comes from his many years making archtops and other acoustic guitars. He noticed that the bass response of archtop guitars was not as present or deep as on flat top acoustic guitars. On the other hand, he found that flat top acoustic guitars didn't have the bell-like clarity and voice from the treble side of archtop guitars. Years ago that got him thinking, and after a long period of development, the Halfling was born. With a flat bass side of the top and an arched treble side of the top, the instrument has the best of both worlds, but without any compromises.

I believe it is one of the most original and important innovations in guitar design in the last 50 years.

Tom and his team have now adapted the Halfling concept to a smaller guitar with incredible acoustic response and balance for an electric guitar. Depending on how you work the tone and volume controls, and which amp you use, this guitar can play straight ahead Jazz that sounds that sounds like a full on acoustic archtop, or rock music with deep overdrive, or Country, or Blues. That's one of the things that is so amazing about this guitar, that it is not just versatile as a pure electric guitar, but amazingly, allows you to have acoustic presence that is unparalleled, and without the harshness of a piezo pickup.

The top is very fine, very straight grained cedar, making for a very lively guitar that speaks quickly and is incredibly responsive. The Lacewood on the back and sides is lovely, with an impeccable deep finish that is vibrant and alive. One of the things you get from true master guitar maker is incredible attention to detail, and the finish work is, well,  masterful.

The neck is a wonderful elliptical shape that sits between a C and D, and feels perfect in your hands. In fact, 'alive' is a word I would use to describe every thing about this guitar, from the way the neck feels, to its acoustic sound, to its electric sound, to the look. This is a very unique guitar from a master builder, and a rare opportunity to get a guitar with Tom's incredible finish work.

Tom has been making some of the finest archtops ever created for many years, and this guitar is a distillation of his knowledge, capturing the essence of a fabulous acoustic archtop and making a practical, usable and amazing sounding electric guitar that just happens to also be exquisite at the same time.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.