The Ribbecke Guitar Shop

Names listed are in order from left to right

I wanted to include some info on the current cast of characters who are part of my team.  This is a terrific team who are dedicated to building world class instruments. These guys are simply fantastic.

 Tyrone Rivers has been working here for 3 years and is not only a terrific musician (drums,bass and guitar) but has also become the shop foreman, he is known for his unique sense of humor and is an inveterate jokester…

Ben Kaufman joined the team as an apprentice and has demonstrated a keen eye for finish work, He works closely with Tyrone to ensure that no spot goes unbuffed….   He also does the web related work and is often the victim of Tyrone’s sick humor.

 Joe Dragony  or Dr Agony as we call him first came to study with me some ten years ago after a steller career at Intel, and is probably the smartest guy I know , His friendship and help are invaluable to me  Joe has his own archtop  practice and comes in to assist me on a part time basis and spends a lot of time in the neck department… but is capable of doing anything in the shop…. Ask him for a random political opinion!

Kevin Gilbaugh has been with me since high school . almost 4 years now and has a unique gift for mechanical things, he is a college student at the moment and works part time as a utility guy doing whatever we ask him to do from sanding to maintaining machinery….

Ian is my stepson and handles regular shop cleaning and organizing, also polishes and sands ebony parts and other parts finishing tasks... His age is somewhere between 13 and 454, we aren'nt really sure as he is big for his age....

Deborah  Terry is also a college student and helps when she is able to  in the office… and special projects…You may receive a call from her for any number of reasons. She tries to keep me organized! (poor girl)

Bobby Vega, is the reknowned Basses extroadinaire, He is the manager of all things relating to the groove and has the best ears of anyone I have ever met. He infuses the shop with his unique understanding of music and artist relations. See his web site www.Bobbyvega.com

Shorty (on the left)is our resident short hair pointer, She comes to work every day and leaves at 5 or so…. She is in charge of all things doggy….

Mr. T (on the right) is our latest edition. He came to us as a 4 day old abandoned  kitty, and now patrols all things feline … and is in charge of sleeping on bench tops…