I made this 17" archtop while apprenticing under renown archtop luthier Tom Ribbecke in Healdsburg, CA. It uses Tom's signature asymmetrical X-brace construction under its handcarved Sitka spruce top. The back and sides are grafted walnut (agricultural walnut, where an English walnut tree is grafted into the stump of a Claro walnut tree - the line that divides the two species is visible in the back and sides) that had been 7-years air-dried before I used it. The binding is walnut - grain matched to the sides. The F-holes are also bound in walnut and 6-ply purfling. The fretboard, bridge, saddle, tailpiece and pickguard are ebony. The pickguard, tailpiece and headstock have been inlayed with spalted wood sourced from the Russian River near Healdsburg where the guitar was constructed. The truss rod cover has been inlayed by renown Inlay artist Larry Robinson. With a 17" bout, 25.5" scale length and floating pickup, this guitar has a booming acoustic sound and a warm tone when plugged in.
