1986 Robert Ruck No. 359 CD/CSAR

This 1986 Robert Ruck is a cedar and CSA rosewood classical guitar, No. 359, that went back to its maker for work in 2000.

No. 359, Serviced by Ruck

The label – “R. S. Ruck” beside his round emblem – is dated by hand and signed “Robert Ruck”, numbered #359. In 2000 Robert Ruck himself had the guitar back for a few minor repairs – including a small crack in the top on the bass side of the lower bout – and fret and finish work; more recently Richard Reynoso repaired a crack in the back. It is fitted with Gilbert tuners.

Sound

The tone is firm and solid, anchored to the fundamental of each note, with a beautiful texture from the higher partials and plenty of volume for a large hall.

Robert Ruck: An American Original

Robert Ruck (1945–2018) was one of the most respected classical guitar makers in the United States, with a career of some five decades and well over a thousand instruments. He began as a flamenco guitarist in Miami – studying classical guitar with Juan Mercadal and flamenco singing with Elena Marbella – built his first guitars in the 1960s and later worked in Wisconsin and in the Pacific Northwest. In 2016 he was inducted into the Guitar Foundation of America’s Hall of Fame.

Barrueco and the Ruck Sound

The most famous Ruck of all is No. 58, the 1970s guitar on which Manuel Barrueco recorded many of his albums. Ruck guitars are known for a very firm, solid tone, deeply anchored to the fundamental of each note, with the hum of the higher partials adding texture, for surprising volume and for comfortable, easy necks. Many of his later guitars have soundports in the upper sides. His players included Sharon Isbin, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Berta Rojas, Leo Brouwer, Gerardo Núñez and Paulo Bellinati.

Books on Robert Ruck

A 1978 Ruck from the Russell Cleveland collection, No. 162, appears in “The Classical Guitar – A Complete History”:

The Classical Guitar – A Complete History