Aahzz
Habanero Evangelist
The top of the electric is made from a 14" single asymmetrically carved single piece of tortoise shell quilted mahogany from The Tree. There are approximately 200+ known guitars built from The Tree of which approximately 12 guitars with single-piece piece construction.
The Element Water also has a 3-piece back from The Tree as well as the sides. The neck is Honduran Mahogany. The binding is master grade Koa and the pickups are Tom Holmes. The bridge and stop tailpiece are Callaham cold rolled steel and the tuners are Gotoh 510 (21:1).
A great deal of thought and emotion went into creating this design. It was meant to be more than just decoration. It has a definite meaning, depth, and purpose. It is a build that crosses and blurs the lines of Craftmanship and Art with the purpose of forming an instrument to be used and played for the benefit of the healing arts, both for the player and for those listening.
The inspiration for this design came from life’s twisting journey and the image was inspired by the documentary Rivers and Tides. I wanted something that honored the builders, honored the wood used to build the guitars, something that honored and artists hardships and sacrifices, something that honored nature and something that honored the musician who would play the guitar and also provided a constant visual symbol to the listener (and the player) that they were being taken on a journey...
The meaning:
The Ribbecke logo represents all the builders and craftsmen who worked to build the instrument. It represents their energy their passions and all the trials and tribulations that went into building the guitar. The logo is for all those who worked on this instrument and whose emotions and passions empty into the Creative River.
The wood used to make the guitar came directly from Robert Novak where its journey began. The Creative River begins to flow where the sounds heard in the musician's mind begin their journey. It is where the player's emotions and thoughts begin to transform into music. Life isn't a straight line. Life isn't about destinations; it's about the journey. The Creative River's design physically ends at the nut... but not really... it's the beginning of a bridge that connects the mind and the body and forms the music. The strings extend down the length of the fingerboard, over the frets, where the nut and the bridge and stop tailpiece are the anchors, with the frets and flats of the neck ready to spread its music and vibrations throughout the world and the universe. This is where the music a player hears in their mind is magically transformed into the chords and notes. The wood and the guitar have become an extension of the player's mind and body. They are one. When the vibrations of the chords and notes extend to the bridge they activate the acoustic qualities of the archtop then, through the pickups. The energy of music then explodes into the world and enters the minds and bodies, everyone who is listening, everyone who can hear it and it transports them to a different place and a different world…a different time. One in which they are connected to The Tree, the builder, the music, the musician and especially the universe...and they share that energy and wonder…the healing power of music. I will take payment in cryptocurrency rayathealdsburgguitarsdotcom. We can discuss price.
