The Guitars of Robert Ruck

Robert Ruck
2507 Hawkins Lane
Eugene, OR 97405

At this time I am no longer taking new orders on my current list. My order list is about 300 orders long. I build 25-30 guitars a year. However, I have started a cancellation list and when I get a cancellation I move everyone up on the list and then move people waiting on the cancellation list to the bottom of my working list. My prices go up roughly at a rate of $100.00 - $200.00 per year.

Models/Prices:

Standard Model Classical or Flamenco - This is the only model available in 2007. It features my highest level work and is the culmination of many years of experience. It is available in any of the offered materials and upgrade options. It has included with the current price an Everest hardshell case from Canada and Gotoh Deluxe tuners from Japan. The tuners and case are of very high quality and can be upgraded as desired.

All rosettes, purflings, and bandings are produced by myself rather than factory made. Rosettes are made of natural and dyed veneers in patterns that I have personally created. The top purflings are a combination of white and black veneers in the traditional style. The back and side purflings are white maple and rosewood veneers with all corners finished in mitered joints. Edge bandings are rosewood. The bridge is of Brazilian rosewood with tie block edges trimmed with bone.

The standard finish is synthetic varnish of very high quality and very thinly applied. French polish tops are available at additional cost.

Classical Guitar 2007 Price - $5750.00
Flamenco Guitar 2007 Price - $6500.00

Body Sizes:

The three body sizes are specific designs and shapes that I have worked with and developed over many years. They are not just three sizes but are also different in shape. The largest #50 has often been made for concert players who can handle a long string length and want the maximum in loudness. The #50 can be made with shorter string lengths but I feel it functions better with string lengths of 655mm and longer. The standard #636 is comparable in size to general concert guitars played today and functions well with any of the offered string lengths. The smallest #230 is idea for people of smaller stature although can feel comfortable even to tall people. It is also available with any offered string length.

#50 (Largest)

Length - 19 1/4"
Lower bouts - 14 1/2"
Upper bouts - 11 1/8"
Waist - 9 3/8"
Depth at neck - 3 7/8"
Depth at bottom - 4 1/8"

#636 (Standard)

Length - 19 3/16"
Lower bouts - 14 1/2"
Upper bouts - 11"
Waist - 9 1/2"
Depth at neck - 3 3/4"
Depth at bottom - 4"

#230 (Smallest)

Length - 18 7/8"
Lower bouts - 14 1/4"
Upper bouts - 10 3/4"
Waist - 9 1/4"
Depth at neck - 3 3/8"
Depth at bottom - 3 3/8"

Options Available at No Additional Cost

Wood:

Top - Cedar or Spruce. Cedar tends to produce a larger sound, immediately strong trebles, and feels played-in sooner. Spruce tends to produce more clarity and tonal color, but tends to take longer to develop. Qualities of brilliance-brightness, warmth-sweetness and other tonal factors are a function of the guitar design more so than the choice of wood.

Backs and Sides - Currently I am generally building with Indian rosewood for the bodies of classical guitars and flamenco negras. As you may have heard, Brazilian rosewood is considered an endangered species. Consequently the supply of this wood is very problematic. Quality is very inconsistent and prices are exorbitant. The greatest problem concerning quality is the likelihood of cracks occurring in the finished guitar. Since Indian rosewood is available in very high quality and is capable of producing the same quality of sound as Brazilian rosewood, it is, at this time, my choice for concert guitars. Cypress is available for flamenco guitars as well as some alternative species for either classical or flamenco.

Neck and Fingerboard - The fingerboard is made of ebony. The neck is made of either mahogany or Spanish cedar. These two woods are quite similar in appearance. Spanish cedar is typically the choice for Spanish guitar makers and is lighter in weight. Presently I am favoring the use of Spanish cedar. All of the woods used throughout the guitar are very well seasoned.

String Lengths:

Your choice between 640, 650, 655, 657, 660 and 665 mm. Indicate one length. Personally I recommend either 650 or 655 mm as they are the most popular and standard lengths for classical guitars today. Resale of longer string length guitars can be more difficult and have some loss in value in today's current market situation.

Fingerboard Size and String Spacing at Nut and Bridge:

Standard fingerboard width is 2 1/16" or 52.5 mm.
String spacing at the nut is 1 23/32" or 43.5 mm.
String spacing at the bridge is 2 1/4" or 58 mm.
Fingerboard width at the 12th fret is 2 7/16" or 62 mm.
The measurements concerning string length, fingerboard width and string spacings are given to indicate what my standard measurements are. They can be customized to suit the individual customer's needs.

Acoustic Port Design

This year I am encorporating a small feature in the design of my guitars that has proven to be very beneficial for the player. It consists of two very small holes of 13/16" diameter or 21 mm. The holes, commonly referred to as acoustic ports, are positioned near the heel of the neck on the sides. They are located 2 1/2" from the center line of the heel and are centered on the sides. They are quite unobtrusive in appearance. These small holes are reinforced and will cause no structural instability. The edges are finished smoothly and are slightly rounded over.

Should you have any objections to having this feature built into your guitar let me know and I will exclude it in the construction.

Options Available at Additional Cost

Tuners:

David E. Rodgers (England). Hand made Hauser style plates in a scalloped and engraved floral design. Plates of nickel silver (German silver). Buttons of real mother of pearl.
Additional cost - Current market price at time of delivery - Approximately - $900.00

Cases:

Mark Leaf (USA). Traveling case of fiberglass with rigid foam inner core. Triangular in shape with rounded ends. Approximate weight, 9 pounds or 4.5 kilos. Lined with velvet. Interior is green or burgundy. Exterior is black or silver. Designed to withstand airline baggage handlers. Must be ordered 3 - 4 months in advance.
Additional cost - $550.00

French Polish:

Top of guitar only - $300.00

Finish Options for 2007

Option 1
A very high quality, thinly applied synthetic varnish over the entire instrument with the finish on the top being extremely thin. This is the most serviceable finish I offer at no additiional cost.

Option 2
Synthetic varnish on the sides, back and neck with French polish on the top. ($300 additional cost.)

This page was originally created on 2/4/96 and was last updated on 6/16/07.

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