'Pink Guitar' Plays for Breast Cancer Center

Tim Lovold never set out to learn how to build custom guitars so that he could raise money for breast cancer awareness and treatment.

But three years ago, Lovold, a guitar-maker who works for Healdsburg master realized he could use his skills in a way that would pay tribute to his two parents -- both cancer survivors -- and perhaps help other cancer survivors too.

Every year for the past three years, on his own time, Lovold built a custom guitar to donate as an auction item to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. This year, fellow Ribbecke Guitar Co. luthier Maegen Wells helped in the project, which resulted in the Pink Guitar.

The Lovold/Wells Pink Guitar will be raffled off Oct. 27 at Russian River Brewing Co., on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa. Raffle tickets are $5 each and benefit the Sutter Breast Care Center in Santa Rosa.

"This is a very worthy cause and pretty unique contribution by this community," said Ray Boyda, a spokesman for Ribbecke Guitar Co.

According to Boyda, last year's guitar made by Lovold was won by a Philadelphia man who donated the guitar to Monks Cafe in Philadelphia.

"They are raffling off that guitar and donating all the proceeds to the same breast cancer research organization," Boyda said.

Wood for the "Pink Guitar" was salvaged from discarded projects, Boyda added. Hardware for the guitar was generously donated by Luthiers Mercantile International in Windsor and Stewart MacDonald, a supplier of guitar-making products.

 "The guitar also comes with a Reunion Blues case that was donated by Ace Products Distributors, and includes 10 hours of recording time donated by Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati," Boyda said.

For more information, see Russian River Brewing Co.

What are Napa Valley businesses doing to help the cause this Breast Cancer Awareness month? To find out, please see

• Domaine Chandon "Pink Party" 2012 Benefit: Photo Gallery

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