Tom Ribbecke isn’t a Hobbit—he’s a renowned luthier who formed Ribbecke Guitar Corporation this year to manufacture production versions of his boutique instruments. Bobby Vega, who has worked with Sly & the Family Stone, Santana, and Jerry Garcia, collaborated with Ribbecke to come up with the Bobby Vega Halfling Bass ($4,750 street), a cool-looking instrument designed to have the bass response of a flat-top with an archtop’s articulation. Ribbecke Guitar Company, (707) 431-0125.