Ribbecke Halfling (Bobby Vega)

** Here's your chance to acquire a piece of American Guitar history **

Website: "Building each Bobby Vega model Bass is extremely complicated. To maintain our high quality standards, we will only be building these basses as a custom order"

Bruno:  "I can't imagine the price of a such a Bass custom ordered these days...!"

This is an extremely rare instrument on the used market.
The novelty of this particular one is that Tom Ribbecke himself did the colour / paint.
(signature above the date) It is the only one I've seen with this whiskey burst! 
I don't even want to estimate the price of a such a Bass custom ordered these days...!

The tone, projection , volume and dynamic range of this Bass is astounding (see video)
The attention to details both tonally and cosmetically is second to none.
The neck shape is a gentle "D" profile makes it extremely nice to play.  
The Bobby Vega model (see below for detail) gives the player an amazing array of tones and a wide range of sonic possibilities in the sound spectrum. Smooth and round low frequencies WITH the acoustic quick response ("snap") and precise treble associated with archtop and upright type instruments.

All the exquisite hardware is hand made in Ebony with both precision and taste. 
The beautiful multiple wooden veneer behind the headstock not only makes the neck stronger but according to Tom, helps with the energy transfer / vibration of the Bass.

This remarkable instrument was conceived in consultation with bassist Bobby Vega, and features a revolutionary design that employs a unique compound curvature of the soundboard. With a conventional arch on the treble side, the instrument produces the characteristic clarity and precision of a traditional archtop. A dramatically flattened profile for the bass side, combined with the round sound port, allows for greater bass response and sustain. This hybrid construction is designed to give the player a tonal response combining the best of both arch and flat top instruments. Tom is supervising a team of top notch luthiers and no instrument leaves the shop without his approval !

Notes: Few have done more to further the craft of the modern archtop guitar than California luthier Tom Ribbecke. Since founding his first workshop in San Francisco in 1972, Tom has produced not only master quality instruments but master quality luthiers themselves, in workshops and videos that have made him a true legend amongst fellow builders, players and handmade instruments aficionados worldwide. 

It is a solid 9.5/10...(see pics with the pick) There's a little white dot in the finish near the sound port. Other then that, you really have to LOOK for scratches. I tried to get them with a very expensive camera and some lighting. Practically impossible to see.

Even the custom made blue case is awesome, rugged (nuclear blast resistant) and...heavy!
** Shipping rates may vary depending on your location **  

Specifications:

Serial #: 1009
Body: Bookmatched Big leaf (very!) Flamed maple
Body Size: 17" at lower bout
Body Depth: Taper from neck 3.75" to tailblock 4.5"
Back and sides: Western big leaf flamed maple
Top: Western Red Cedar
Bracing: Spruce (X Bracing)
Binding: Black ABS
Neck: 3 piece Flamed Birdseye Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
Truss rod: Carbon fiber (two way)
Width at nut: 1'5"
Width at 12th fret: 2.125"
Pickup: Custom made Kent Armstrong (passive)
Controls: Volume, Tone (under the pickguard)
Tuners: Hipshot
Hardware: All custom made Ebony
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Headstock Logo: Mother of pearl
Weight (bass only): 7.5 lbs
Case: Custom made (VERY solid!) with embroidered Logo