Robert Ruck - 1978 No. 162 - Russel Cleveland Collection
Robert Ruck - 1978 No. 162 - Russel Cleveland Collection
Overview
Overview
About the luthier
Robert Ruck (1945–2018) was one of the most influential American guitar makers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He began building guitars in the late 1960s and went on to craft over 1,000 instruments during his prolific career. Based in Washington State, Ruck earned recognition for his guitars having exceptional clarity, balance, and power. He described his approach as striving for “maximum response with minimal effort from the player.” His instruments became highly sought after by top guitarists around the world.
One of his most famous collaborations was with the renowned guitarist Manuel Barrueco, who recorded many of his most celebrated albums on a 1972 Robert Ruck guitar. In Barrueco’s own words: *“The Ruck guitar has a sound that’s lyrical, clear, and yet full of character—it’s like having a voice that can both whisper and soar.”* Through his artistry and geniality, Robert Ruck left an enduring mark on the history of American guitar making.
About the guitar
This extraordinary guitar comes from the renowned Russel Cleveland Collection, featured in John Morrish’s book *Classical Guitar: A Complete History* (pages 72–73). Built in 1978, the instrument is in remarkably good condition — it’s hard to believe this beautiful guitar is over forty years old. Clearly, it has been carefully maintained and cherished by its previous owner.
The spruce top has developed a rich, mature color over time, creating a striking contrast with the dark, Brazilian rosewood used for the back and sides. But this guitar is much more than a visual masterpiece or a collector’s item: it is a superb concert instrument with breathtaking sound characteristics. The tone is mature, perfectly balanced, and powerful, with an almost endless sustain. Deep, rounded basses blend seamlessly with the rich, overtone-filled trebles, offering a sound that is both open and full of character. Despite its long scale length, the guitar is very comfortable to play thanks to its well-shaped neck profile and responsive soundboard. The condition of this guitar is excellent, showing only normal wear and nail marks on the top and light scratches on the back.
Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.
| Luthier: | Robert Ruck |
| Construction year: | 1978 |
| Construction type: | Traditional |
| Top: | Spruce |
| Back and sides: | Brazilian rosewood (CITES certified) |
| Finish: | French polish |
| Air body frequency: | G / G # |
| Scale: | 66.5 mm |
| Nut: | 52.5 mm |
| Weight: | 1655 grams |
| Tuners: | Landstorfer |
| Strings: | Knobloch - EDC 34.0 |
| Condition: | Excellent |
| Case: | TKL Case |
Details about GPSR:
Classical Guitar
Robert Ruck
Siccas Guitars GmbH, Roonstr. 31, 76137 Karlsruhe, Germany, www.siccasguitars.com, info@siccasguitars.com
Note: For antique guitars, the GPSR does not apply.
Video overview
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