Ri-Rom

made

   updated 20/12/2011

Ribbecke

1975 - present

Tom Ribbecke began building and repairing guitars in 1975 in San Francisco. After 10 years he closed the storefront to concentrate on custom building.

http://www.ribbeckehalfling.com/

Dating Ribbecke guitars 

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/ribbecke.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Ribbecke+Guitar+Corporation

Images 1998 Ribbecke guitar eBay:

Jaime Ribot

Jaime Ribot guitar found on ebay. Made in Barcelona, Spain late 1800s or early 1900s.

Claudio Ricca

1985-

Lutemaker since 1985. Roma, Italy

Rice

Rice guitar forum http://ricecustom.proboards79.com/

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rice+Custom+Guitars

Images courtesy of Chris Rice 2008

Peter Rice Custom Guitars

curent

Made in Washington, USA.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Peter+Rice

Images eBay:

Rich and Taylor

1993-1996

In 1993, Mark Taylor teamed up with master builder Greg Rich to form Rich and Taylor, and created yet another line of world renowned instruments. In 1996, Mark resumed production under the Crafters of Tennessee brand name, and this production continues today. [Source: Folk of the Wood]

A & P Richardson

1980s

Paul Richardson, Sunderland England

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/A%26P+Richardson

Rich Imhauser

Images circa 1900 Rich Imhauser guitar ebay:

Richter

current

Richter guitars Fairfax, California, USA

Richter Mfg Co

1926-1944?

The Richter Mfg. Co. was founded at Chicago, IL by Carl H. Richter in 1926 to market instruments under the Sweetheart brand name. They were no longer listed in 1944 [Source: Mugwumps]

Chicago made guitars.  According to posts at Guitarsite in 2003-4 there are guitars made by Richter MfgCo at least from from 1929-1937 - but no mention of Sweetheart label.

Richter also made Buckeye Brand Guitars

Instruments made by Richter include parlor and classical guitars. Richter also made cowboy guitars with brands "The Plainsman" featuring a scene from a Gary Cooper movie (1936) of the same name. "The Plainsman" was sold by Montgomery Ward 1938-1943 according to an eBay item.

Richter also made "Home on the Range" cowboy guitars for Montgomery Wards from 1938-1939. [Source: Cowboy Guitars, By Steve Evans, Ron Middlebrook, Roy Rogers]

They also made archtops for Montgomery Ward [Source: Bluesbox Collection]

see Buckeye Brand

Cowboy Guitars (Book)

Images of Richter The Plainsman (1938-1943) courtesy of Vintage Cowboy Guitars: Richter headstock eBay.

Rickenbacker

Pre WWII to present

The Rickenbacker International Corporation (RIC) grew out of the first company founded for the sole purpose of creating and manufacturing fully electric musical instruments and amplifiers-the Los Angeles-based Electro String Instrument Corporation. Founded in 1931 by Adolph Rickenbacker and George D. Beauchamp, this pioneering firm produced "Rickenbacker Electro Instruments", the first modern electric guitars. [Source: Ric Website]

Dating Rickenbacker Guitars

Serial number decoder (won’t work for some 1955 models) http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/rick.html

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.rickresource.com/

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/guitars/rickenbacker/

http://vintageguitarpro.com/rickenbacker.shtml

Rickenbacker reference books

The Rickenbacker Book: A Complete History of Rickenbacker Electric Guitars

The History of Rickenbacker Guitars

How Rickenbacker electrified the guitar. (Adolph Rickenbacker): An article from: Music Trades

Collectable Rickenbacker Value and Reference Guide 2007

Other resources

http://www.rickbeat.com/

325 http://www.geocities.com/vintage325/

Google books - partial 2007 Rickenbacker Price Guide

Rickenbacker catalogs

The Rickenbacker website has a very significant collection of catalogs dating back to the 1930s

1968 and 1975 http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/catalogues.php

1981 http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-amp/rickenbacker/1981/index.html

http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rickenbacker

Rickenbacker forums http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_index.asp

http://www.rickbid.com/smf/

http://www.rickresource.com/

Images 1967 Rickenbacker 4005 bass eBay:

Rider

Acoustic guitars by Headway Guitars of Japan.

see Headway

Lars Riemer

mid 1980s to present

Lars Riemer has been building guitars since the mid 1980s.  Based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Riemer

Images eBay:

Rigaud

1978 to present

Bob Rigaud guitars designs and builds custom acoustical guitars featuring beautiful exotic woods and inlays. Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Rigel Mandolins

1960s to present

Pete Langdel lutherie

http://www.mandozine.com/resources/MBSS/builders.php

Riggs Custom Guitars

Hand crafted bodies, necks and guitars

RIM Custom basses

By Robbie McDade, Luton, Midlands United Kingdom

Michael Ritchie

Fintry, Scotland

Ritmo

Ritmo are Spanish guitars

Image courtesy Bruunari:

Ritz

1988-1989

Ritz guitars were made for 2 years (1988-1989) in and were famous for cracked eggshell finish. Produced by Wayne Charvel and Eric Galletta and part owned by Brad Becnel's Sunset Ladders (Sunset Guitars) of South El Monte, CA, they made around 150 guitars.  [Source: Wikipedia]

Ritz guitar catalog (paid sorry)

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_american_ritz.htm

River Head

http://www.handen.us/riverhead/index5.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/brand/Riverhead

see Headway

Images ebay

Rivera

1976 to present

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/Rivera-les-paul-copy.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rivera

Abe Rivera

Internet archive

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Abe+Rivera

Riviera

Guitars made in West Germany, 1950s Images and info eBay:

Rizsanyi

Made in New Germany, Nova Scotia, Canada

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/rizsanyi.html

Rizzolo Guitars

Gary Rizzolo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

RKS

2003 to present

RKS guitars - Thousand Oaks, California

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/RKS+Guitars

Image RKS Wave eBay:

RNB

1967-

RnB Custom Guitars, hand built by Brian "Big B" Smiles Estes

Road to the Isles

1987-

Mandolin family instruments from Stan Hope, near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada since about 1987.

Arthur Robb

1974 to present

Wiltshire, UK

Carlo Robelli

Carlo Robelli - house brand of Sam Ash

Image 1972 Carlo Robelli Les Paul copy headstock ebay

Mikhael Robert

1981 to present

Robert Guitars , classical guitars, British Columbia, Canada

Patrick Robert

France

Roberts Luthiery

Downers Grove, IL, USA

Daniel Roberts Stringworks

Daniel Roberts started building instruments with a small company called Flatiron Banjo and Mandolin Company. Gibson Guitar acquired Flatiron and while working for Gibson Dan worked his way up to rear plant production manager when the new factory was built at Bozeman.

Left Gibson to move to Santa Cruz in California for 6 years, but then returned to Montana, and continued to be employed SCGC for the next 11 years while working out of his own shop. Daniel built their archtop guitars,
did design of new models, and accomplished most of the warranty repair for the company. All up spent 17 years with SCGC.

Mark Roberts

Mark Roberts, luthier Portland, Oregon USA

http://www.myspace.com/msrvfx

http://www.guitarsmatrix.com/profiles/markroberts.html

Robertson Guitars

1995 to ?

Jeff now builds 30 guitars a year, full time, in his small shop in Upstate New York. Other than the hand-cut logos and abalone rosettes done by his wife, Robertson guitars are built by him alone with a dedication to perfection that is evident in every detail. No longer making. [source: Mandoweb]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Jeff+Robertson

Robin

1972-2010

Guitars currently made by David Wintz, Houston, Texas.  Most guitars were made in Japan until 1987 with US production starting 1988. Also make Metropolis (since 1996) and Alamo (since 2000) brands. [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

According to Gear Page David Wintz announced he was about to close on 1 October 2010.

From these 2 sites I gather that :

1972 to 1986 made by Tokai/ESP.

Dating Robin guitars

"There is no way to exactly date a MIJ Robin. The serial numbers are arbitrary" http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/2260.html?1136604922

USA from 1988 Dating your Robin, by the way, should be a piece of cake. As a former vintage guy, Wintz knew to start his serial numbers with the date of manufacture. The first serial number began with 88. http://robinguitars.com/history.html

http://robinlovers.com/

http://www.myspace.com/robinguitars

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Robin+Guitars

Robin guitars catalogs http://www.robinguitars.com/vintage.html

Image Robin guitar serial number from a Robin Ranger on ebay - suggests that it is 1991.

Robinson Guitars

2003 to present

"I started building in 2003 and have been here in Kalamazoo Michigan since then. I'm in the process of building a new shop over the summer in northern Michigan and should be moved by September.

Dating Robinson guitars

My guitars are numbered in order #0001-#0055. I make 10-12 a year so you can estimate dated by this number, or I can go to my log and tell the exact date of build." [Source: Jake Robinson, email 9/7/2008 ]

Robinsong Guitars

1975 to present

Made since "1975 in home workshop.

Dating Robinsong Guitars

SERIAL NUMBER = YEAR +  NUMBER

[Source: Jim Robinson, email 23/7/2008]

California, USA

Carson J Robison

1930-1941

Carson J Robison was a singing cowboy who had his own line of guitars sold through Montgomery Ward in the depression years.  Made by Gibson. For very detailed information on this line of guitars see Cowboy Guitars, Steve Evans, Ron Middlebrook, Roy Rogers ]

http://www.stellaguitars.com/39_carson_robison.htm

Images Retrofret:  1934                                        1940

Diego Robles

Diego Robles 10 made in Valencia, Spain

Image Fine Fretted

Roca

Image of label from Roca classical guitar Made in Spain courtesy of Peter Kelly. Information appreciated.

Rock Beach

2004 to present

Rockinger

http://www.musikkeller.com/d/rockinger.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rockinger

Rockit Guitars

2006 to present

Luthier Rod McKenzie, Everett, Washington, USA

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rockit

Rockster

Entry level guitars Images eBay

Rockwood

see Hohner

Manuel Rodriguez

1905 to present

2004 Rodriguez Guitar pricelist

2005 Rodriguez Guitar pricelist

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Manuel+Rodriguez

Image Gumtree:

Miguel Rodriguez

early 1900s to present

Miquel Rodriguez and family made guitars in Cordoba from early 1900s.

Article - Genius of Miquel Rodriguez from Hancock Guitars

Image: Guitar Salon

S Oscar Fernandez Rodgriguez

"Severino Oscar Fernandez Rodgriguez designs custom handmade classical guitars. In Bolivia he was well known for it. He has retired ever since but still does it as a hobby."  Source: Guitarsite.com forum 2008]

Rafael Moreno Rodriguez

Biography at Zavelatas

Image courtesy of Guitar Salon International:

Thomas Rodriguez Guitars

Thomas W Rodriguez, Richmond Virginia, USA

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rodriguez%2C+Thos.

Roemmich

Karl-Heinz Römmich, born in 1953, has been building guitars for over 30 years. Germany

Rogands

1960s

Rogands was an early name for guitars produced by the Jacobacci Brothers (Roger and Andre) until 1966 when they started to use Jacobacci. [Source: Speedylock]

Image LesGuitarsJacobacci.

Roger

1950s

Guitars built by Wenzel Reissmeisl and named for his son Roger. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide ]

http://www.musikkeller.com/d/roger.html

Image of Roger Guitar

see Rossmeisl

Images eBay

Rogers

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

Rogers

current

Rogue

2001 to present

Starter line Chinese made. [Source: Wikianswers]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rogue

Image courtesy of Sue Blow, Canada

Jean-Noel Rohé

current

Jean-Noel Rohé of Strasbourg

http://www.staffordguitar.com/shop/rohe.asp

Image Kent Guitar Classics:

Pierre Antoine Roiron

2004 to present

Roirin guitars are made in Lyon, France.

"I started making guitars as a professional in 2004.

I make them in my workshop in Lyon (France).

Most of the time, there is my name and the date of completion on the guitar. However, I only make 100% custom instruments, one-of-a-kind and they are not all stamped the stamped the same way.

I only make 4 or 5 guitars a year." [Source: Pierre-Antoine Roiron, email 14/4/2009]

Images Roiron

Roje

1970s

Roje brand guitars were sold in Japan in 1970s according to a myspace forum entry.  Made by Zen-On Music Company in Japan.

Roje Guitar Catalogs

1973, 1975 http://www.t-shiga.com/sub7-5-1.htm

Dating Roje guitars

Photo on right from ebay - claims to be from 1974 instrument so suggests the Roje dating code is the last two digits of the serial number.

see Zenon

Rok Axe

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Rokaxe

Image eBay:

Rokkoman

1960s to present

 Trading company that sold a lot of brands including Maya, El Maya. Owns Asturia workshop.

Roland

1977-1986

While Roland is famous for amps, effects, synths and keyboards they also made a range of guitar/synthesizers from 1977 to 1986. See more at Hillmanweb:

Roland equipment spec digest Image Roland serial umber is from a 1982 guitar on ebay.

Rollins

Image 1970s Rollins logo ebay

Roman & Lipman

1989 to 2000

Ed Roman first started building bass guitars back in the early 80's with his partner & first luthiery teacher, Barry Lipman in Connecticut at East Coast Music Mall. The original Basses were named R&L Basses.  They were nationally advertised and met with a fair measure of success. The local musicians adopted the name "Rolip" which was short for Roman & Lipman.  Ed designed and Barry was the luthier.  After several years it became apparent that Barry could no longer meet the demand for the basses. Ed sold his controlling interest in the companies East Coast Music Mall & Roman & Lipman and set out to build guitars with a new partner. [Source: http://www.edroman.com/guitars/lowrider.htm]

Ed Roman

Ed Roman has many brands made in Las Vegas  including the following:

Roman and Lipman:

Roman Abstract Guitars: 1989 to present see Abstract

Roman Centurion Guitars: 2001 to present

Roman Pearlcaster Guitars: 1999 to present

Roman Quicksilver Guitars: 1997 to present see Quicksilver

Roman Vampire Guitars: 2004 to present

RVC: 1999 to present

Pepe Romero

Image courtesy of Guitar Salon International:

Rafael Romero

Image eBay:

Jose Romanillos

1969 to present

Great biography and resource for Jose Luis Romanillos by Stephen Marchionda

Image courtesy of : Classic Guitar

Emmanuel Romont

Belgium

Rompre Guitars

1987 to present

"I started making guitar on professional basis in 1987, Serial numbers are on the label as well as the date. 115 guitars have been under my name so far, mainly classicals some acoustics, less than 25, and very few electrics <10 in the '80.  I started singing labels around 1995 but my signature as well as the date are found on the top inside the guitars." [Source: Jean Rompré, St-Majorique de Grantham, Québec, Canada email 3/4/2008]

Image Rompre:

Ra | Re-Rh | Ri-Rom |  Ron