{"product_id":"robert-ruck-1980-spruce-brazilian-rosewood-205","title":"Robert Ruck 1980 (Spruce \/ Brazilian Rosewood) – #205","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"904\"\u003eThis 1980 Robert Ruck is a superb and rare concert instrument from one of America’s greatest luthiers. Built at the very end of 1979 while Ruck was still working independently in Middleton, Wisconsin (before apprentices, before assistants), this guitar is \u003cstrong data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"887\"\u003e#205\u003c\/strong\u003e in his output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"1198\"\u003eIt was custom-built for Michael Wright.  It also comes with Robert’s original hand-written description of the guitar—an exceptional piece of provenance that makes this a true collector’s item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1422\" data-end=\"1425\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1427\" data-end=\"1448\"\u003eTone \u0026amp; Playability\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1449\" data-end=\"1607\"\u003eThis instrument captures all the hallmarks of Ruck’s legacy—projection, clarity, and remarkable balance—while offering a voice that feels enormous in scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1994\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1698\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1611\" data-end=\"1698\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1611\" data-end=\"1642\"\u003ePowerful, piano-like basses\u003c\/strong\u003e that resonate with authority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1791\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1791\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1730\"\u003eTreble clarity and warmth\u003c\/strong\u003e that avoids the brittle edge some spruce guitars can have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1892\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1892\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1819\"\u003eExtraordinary sustain\u003c\/strong\u003e with sympathetic overtones, producing a natural chorus-like resonance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1994\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"1994\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"1910\"\u003eVersatility\u003c\/strong\u003e: equally responsive to bold, concert-level playing and subtle, intimate phrasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1996\" data-end=\"2204\"\u003eThe setup is low and comfortable, with an additional nut provided by Ruck himself to allow action adjustment to personal taste. Despite being 45 years old, it feels highly playable, stable, and concert-ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2206\" data-end=\"2209\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2238\"\u003eConstruction \u0026amp; Materials\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"3007\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"2300\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2241\" data-end=\"2300\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2241\" data-end=\"2249\"\u003eTop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid European spruce (2-piece, feathered grain)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2367\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2303\" data-end=\"2367\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2303\" data-end=\"2315\"\u003eBracing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7 scalloped fan braces with thin transverse brace\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2368\" data-end=\"2427\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2370\" data-end=\"2427\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2370\" data-end=\"2382\"\u003eRosette:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colored marquetry, hand-made by Susan Ruck\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2428\" data-end=\"2504\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2504\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2439\"\u003eBack:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid Brazilian rosewood (2-piece with marquetry center strip)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2559\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2559\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2517\"\u003eSides:\u003c\/strong\u003e Laminated Brazilian rosewood \/ mahogany\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2560\" data-end=\"2624\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2562\" data-end=\"2624\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2562\" data-end=\"2571\"\u003eNeck:\u003c\/strong\u003e One-piece Honduras mahogany with V-joint headstock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2625\" data-end=\"2691\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2691\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2643\"\u003eFingerboard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indian ebony, 664mm scale, 54mm nut, 21 frets\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2692\" data-end=\"2736\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2694\" data-end=\"2736\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2694\" data-end=\"2705\"\u003eBridge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brazilian rosewood tie block\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2737\" data-end=\"2804\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2739\" data-end=\"2804\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2739\" data-end=\"2753\"\u003eHeadstock:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brazilian rosewood veneer, backward angle design\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2805\" data-end=\"2854\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2854\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2818\"\u003eTuners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engraved German Hopf, gold-plated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2855\" data-end=\"2953\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2857\" data-end=\"2953\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2857\" data-end=\"2877\"\u003eSpecial feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-written internal dedication with owner’s name and Robert’s signature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3009\" data-end=\"3012\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3026\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3076\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3029\" data-end=\"3076\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3029\" data-end=\"3062\"\u003eExcellent++ overall condition\u003c\/strong\u003e for its age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3077\" data-end=\"3152\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3079\" data-end=\"3152\"\u003eOne pinpoint ding on the top below the soundhole (photo exaggerates it)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3153\" data-end=\"3221\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3221\"\u003eNeck is straight, frets and fingerboard show essentially no wear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3222\" data-end=\"3266\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3224\" data-end=\"3266\"\u003eHeadstock clean, tuners fully functional\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3463\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3463\"\u003eNo structural issues beyond a small ~4” grain crack in the Brazilian back near the heel. This has been present since around 1990, has never been “open,” and has no effect on stability or tone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"4009\" data-end=\"4012\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4014\" data-end=\"4354\"\u003eThis is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire an early Ruck concert guitar—historically significant, immaculately preserved, and sonically powerful. Ruck’s influence on modern lutherie is beyond measure, and this example, complete with documentation and provenance, represents both a remarkable instrument and a piece of guitar history.\u003cbr\u003eIf you're interested in purchasing, please write to me at \u003ca data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"214\" class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eevan@guitarcollection.com\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M14.3349 13.3301V6.60645L5.47065 15.4707C5.21095 15.7304 4.78895 15.7304 4.52925 15.4707C4.26955 15.211 4.26955 14.789 4.52925 14.5293L13.3935 5.66504H6.66011C6.29284 5.66504 5.99507 5.36727 5.99507 5C5.99507 4.63273 6.29284 4.33496 6.66011 4.33496H14.9999L15.1337 4.34863C15.4369 4.41057 15.665 4.67857 15.665 5V13.3301C15.6649 13.6973 15.3672 13.9951 14.9999 13.9951C14.6327 13.9951 14.335 13.6973 14.3349 13.3301Z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"346\"\u003ePlease note: Free UPS 2nd day air shipping is included if paid via a feeless method. Please contact for payment information.**\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Guitar Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51138831941924,"sku":null,"price":10500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1543\/9652\/files\/Ruck1980-2.jpg?v=1759494644","url":"https:\/\/guitarcollection.myshopify.com\/products\/robert-ruck-1980-spruce-brazilian-rosewood-205","provider":"Guitar Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}