Eighteen-year GAL member Tom Ribbecke was born in Brooklyn, but has been making guitars in the San Francisco Bay area since 1974. He’s an innovator, a teacher, a mentor, a lecturer, and a captain of industry.
▪ bio current as of 2019
Eighteen-year GAL member Tom Ribbecke was born in Brooklyn, but has been making guitars in the San Francisco Bay area since 1974. He’s an innovator, a teacher, a mentor, a lecturer, and a captain of industry.
▪ bio current as of 2019
2019
AL#137 p.60 read this article
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Fred Campbell was a fixture on the lutherie scene for decades, specializing in finish work. Many of his friends will recall that he was notably forward in his appreciation of his Scottish heritage.
2011
AL#106 p.44 ALA2 p.90
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Ribbecke exhibits versions of more precise and efficient fitting braces, developed throughout his career. From his 2008 GAL convention workshop.
2010
AL#101 p.71 read this article
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Tom Ribbecke mourns his friend and respected colleague Taku Sakashta, maker of world class guitars. (1966-2010).
2009
AL#98 p.6
Steve Grimes Ted Megas Tom Ribbecke Jeffrey R. Elliott
▪ This article is taken from a 2008 GAL convention panel discussion. Seems like these discussions are getting livelier and more interesting, no matter what field of lutherie may draw you the most. The interaction makes the archtop guitar seem more vital and the personal disclosures add depth to the subject. Not that we’re talking about life and death. Well, to the panelists it may be more important than that, and we’ll bet you’ll be drawn in. Perhaps changes are in the air. Nylon strings? Chambered bodies? Oh, they won’t threaten the old jazz box too much, but it’s good to know that nothing remains forever unchanged. With 23 photos.
1995
AL#43 p.59 BRB4 p.495
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Reversing the blade in X-acto or pro-edge razor saws for mitering purfling.
1995
AL#42 p.64 BRB4 p.497
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Removing cyanoacrylate residue from fingers using a pumice stick.
1995
AL#41 p.58 BRB4 p.486
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Achieving brush free results for lacquer in the rain and cold.
1995
AL#41 p.52 BRB4 p.463
Tom Ribbecke
▪ The reviewer finds that this book sets a new standard for guitarmaking books in general, and that it should affect the evolution of the archtop guitar for many years to come.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1994
AL#40 p.28 BRB4 p.102
Dan Erlewine Tom Ribbecke Fred Campbell David Howard Sheldon Dingwall Harry Fleishman David Colburn Kathy Currier Will Bremers Jack Langley John Jordan Dana Bourgeois Heidi Spurlin Ken Fallon Dave Schneider Cary Clemments Ron Chacey Bart Reiter Mike Jarvis Greg Hoffman Dave Lindahl Tom Costanza Chuck Erickson Ralph Novak
▪ Repair pricing workshop from 1992 GAL convention.
1993
AL#35 p.24 BRB3 p.370
Nicholas-Von Robison Tom Ribbecke
▪ As an adviser to the trade, a builder of high quality guitars, and teacher, Ribbecke has had a strong influence on the work of many luthiers. This interview sketches his beginnings in lutherie.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1993
AL#35 p.26 BRB3 p.372 read this article
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Ribbecke gathered information from across the country for this talk, an introduction to the woods that may eventually—like it or not—change the look of the instruments we make and play.
1992
AL#30 p.49 BRB3 p.485
Tom Ribbecke
▪ Eliminating bubbles that form in the finish when spraying lacquer on rosewood.