Classic Guitars International for fine classical and flamenco guitars, Robert Ruck

Brief Overview

Standard setting Flamenco guitars and solid top and composite top Classical guitars.

Robert Ruck has built guitars for many notable artists, including Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Paulo Bellinati, Sharon Isbin, Celedonio, Celin and Pepe Romero to note just a few, and as of this writing Manuel Barrueco has recorded virtually all of his discography using Ruck guitars. Robert’s waiting list grew so long that he recently made the decision to permanently close the list, and is no longer accepting new orders.

In addition to concert and recording artists, other Luthiers revere Robert’s instruments. I remember one builder who was visiting me in my shop about ten years ago. I happened to have a new Ruck in the shop at the time. This builder was in awe of the guitar, and studied it for a long time taking many photos. He then contacted Robert and had many questions for him. He most certainly included what he learned from Robert in his own guitars which are now quite well known. This pattern has been repeated more than once as other luthiers sought out Robert as an icon of guitar building who was willing to share his vision of the guitar with others on the same path.

The following excerpt from the book “The Classical Guitar a Complete History” aptly describes Robert Ruck and the process and philosophy of building that have placed him among the ranks of the finest Luthiers in the World:

“His shop is well outfitted with machine tools; these ensure accuracy and speed the initial preparation of the woods. Once past that point, Ruck clearly relishes the hands-on relationship between wood and woodworker, and relies on intuition informed by careful measurement to achieve the sound he seeks for a particular instrument. Visualization, a sort of active meditation on the desired result, is a part of his method. Ruck imagines the sound he seeks from a guitar in progress-from choosing the wood, to working it, to completion in its new, musical form.”

Ruck has built more than 1,000 guitars at this point in his career, and has also had the opportunity to learn from guitars that he has owned or repaired including those of Herman Hauser 1,Herman Hauser ll, Ignacio Fleta, Santos Hernandez, Domingo Esteso, Marcelo Barbero, Hernandez y Aguado, Arcangel Fernandez, and Antonio Torres.

Ruck adds: " I adjust my designs and models to accommodate the personal requests of my customers. Having worked with many patterns, bracing systems, woods and finishes I can draw from past experience to produce an instrument that is tailored to a players desire….”

I am very proud to note that even though Robert’s waiting list is now closed to new orders, he has consented to continue to provide Classic Guitars International with a very limited number of special order guitars. Please contact me for details, pricing, and availability.