Kickstarter Launched to Save Healdsburg's Ribbecke Guitar Center

Friends of Healdsburg guitar maker Tom Ribbecke have launched a Kickstarter fundraising project to help him buy his property before it gets put on the open market.

Ribbecke's fundraiser has already raised about $5,000 out of its $25,000 goal -- with about 25 days left to contribute, according to the kickstarter.com website.

For information on the fundraiser, click here.

Earlier this month, Healdsburg Patch featured an article on Ribbecke and his plans to develop a master-level guitar-making school at his custom guitar shop, in a barn at his five-acre leased property.

According to one friend, the article was widely circulated and generated support from many different areas.

"Bruce Forman, a jazz musician whose music can be heard on many of Clint Eastwood's films, and who has played all over the world, is donating his beloved Red Guitar for the cause," said Ribbecke's friend Thomas Harrigan.

"You can find him on Facebook and his page: http://www.bruceforman.com/about.html

Harrigan said those who want to help Ribbecke and the cause on the social funding site Kickstarter may receive a mug, T-shirt or "even a guitar," he said.

"We have 25 days to reach the goal," he said.