The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Custom Shop

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-20-2017, 01:17 PM
tiri tiri is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 12
Smile Ruben Guitar Custom Build

It is always cool to read/watch others go through their custom build process - seeing the wood selection, debating over technical and aesthetic details, hearing the story behind why etc... For me, I think it may be my turn (finally!). I'd like to share my story to attempt to give back to a community that has provided so many great stories over the years. In sharing my story I also hope to provide more information about a local Australian guitar builder Ruben Becker and his brand, Ruben guitars, which sadly doesn't receive much press.

The closest I've come to a "custom" guitar has been a Maton Custom Shop Traditional. That guitar was my first "real" guitar and signified a moment of awakening for me where I realized why high-quality guitars demand such a premium (most of the time anyway). And although the guitar was equally at home with finger or flat picking, had exceptional projection and great tone, I still felt like I had to compromise my style and playing to suit it.

That guitar is gone now and another Maton (non-custom shop) took its place - an easier to play guitar with great electronics for live performances, but it lacks the soul and character that makes you feel like the instrument is calling at you from across the room. I think you all know what I'm talking about ...

So then... what of the build? As I mentioned, I'd like to go with a local builder, and Ruben Becker was mentioned to me by a guitar student of mine. I hadn't heard of him previously but once I saw his website and the beautiful builds he had done previously I just had to get in touch. I ended up going to his workshop and having a bit of a tour which was very humbling - his workspace was raw and simple, set in a beautiful woody secluded area. You got the feeling that time wasn't a problem out here, something I can imagine would translate into your work no what you did. During that visit, I was also schooled in various wood types, construction techniques, finishes etc which made the trip even more worth it. After being shown a selection of top woods, back and sides including an incredible black and white ebony back ($$$$), I ended up going with the following Indian Rosewood back:



As for the top, Ruben told me about a shipment of "Old Growth" Adirondack they were getting, including a 450 year old solid one piece top. Yes, one piece. Supposedly you could track, using the rings, key events in history like early settlements etc. Pretty cool, but I won't get my hopes up that it is a top quality tone wood until I see it in person.

That's it for now as I'm aware this post is getting long! I'll go a physical see this top wood this week at some point, and then I'll also post details about the other specs of the guitar
__________________
Debut instrumental album First Wave || iTunes: https://itun.es/au/e5opkb, Google Play: https://goo.gl/tM49B2, Amazon: https://goo.gl/671X9C
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-21-2017, 02:44 PM
cigarfan's Avatar
cigarfan cigarfan is offline
Music soothes the soul!
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Within the blast radius of Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,176
Default

That is one gorgeous set of Indian Rosewood! Love it!

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your build. I look forward to following along.
__________________
Life is like a box of chocolates ....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-21-2017, 03:09 PM
TomB'sox's Avatar
TomB'sox TomB'sox is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: The Lone Star State
Posts: 13,441
Default

I have never seen EIR look like that, wowzer!!!!! Maybe like the toilet water going the other way round down there, the EIR looks like BRW!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
PS. I love guitars!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-22-2017, 08:36 PM
tiri tiri is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 12
Default

Yeah it's quite strange isn't it.. When I first saw it IR didn't immediately spring to mind, especially because I've been programmed to see your typical Martin OMs with straight lines etc. I'll be checking out the sound board tomorrow so hopefully some pics to follow soon!
__________________
Debut instrumental album First Wave || iTunes: https://itun.es/au/e5opkb, Google Play: https://goo.gl/tM49B2, Amazon: https://goo.gl/671X9C
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-24-2017, 01:14 AM
tiri tiri is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 12
Default

Update:

I went by the factory today to suss out more of the spec. Here are some additional photos of the back and sides - I hadn't seen the sides so was pleasantly surprised to see that they were soo figured, which will work nicely with the back I believe.

In terms of the other specs, I think I'll go with the following:
Actual Build
Shape: OM
No. Frets: 14
Top Wood: 500 Year Old Adirondack
Back and Sides: Figured Indian Rosewood
Binding: Flamed maple
Purfling: Herringbone, white on black
Rosette: Herringbone
Pickguard: None
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Fretboard inlay: Abalone Snowflake
Fret Material: Stainless Steel normal profile
Neck wood: One-piece Honduran Mahogany
Neck binding: None
Head plate: IR Veneer from back wood scraps
Tuning Machines: Gotoh 510
Bridge: Ebony
Saddle and Nut: Bone
Strap Pin: Chrome
Pickup: LR Baggs Lyric


__________________
Debut instrumental album First Wave || iTunes: https://itun.es/au/e5opkb, Google Play: https://goo.gl/tM49B2, Amazon: https://goo.gl/671X9C

Last edited by tiri; 02-24-2017 at 01:47 AM. Reason: typo
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-24-2017, 01:40 AM
Guitars44me's Avatar
Guitars44me Guitars44me is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Mountains east of San Diego
Posts: 7,370
Smile Beautiful wood!

Hey, welcome!

Wow, with that wood set I would be tempted to go with a longer body, like a 000 12 fret. But then I am a complete 12 fret fanatic. You can get the comfort of an OM with the whomp of a dread, or close to it, at least with the longer body.

Sure is pretty! Have fun with the build

Cheers

Paul
__________________
3 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS:
Big Maple/Cedar Dread
Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC
Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC

R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro
96 422ce bought new!
96 LKSM 12
552ce 12x12

J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut

More
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-24-2017, 03:30 PM
cigarfan's Avatar
cigarfan cigarfan is offline
Music soothes the soul!
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Within the blast radius of Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,176
Default

Love your specs. Sure is some awesome IR!
__________________
Life is like a box of chocolates ....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-17-2017, 01:13 AM
tiri tiri is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 12
Default More updates

I went to visit Ruben again today - it was not disappointed! I find it quite cool to be able to see a master's work in progress, and yet again Ruben afforded me time to discuss any and all details involved in creating this guitar. Really looking forward to getting more photos soon!

__________________
Debut instrumental album First Wave || iTunes: https://itun.es/au/e5opkb, Google Play: https://goo.gl/tM49B2, Amazon: https://goo.gl/671X9C
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-27-2017, 10:11 PM
tiri tiri is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 12
Default Some more photos

Thought I'd post an update on how the build is going: in short, really great! here are some photos from when I dropped by the shop to do a "neck profiling". So Ruben presented me with a neck that had been shaped to a certain level, then got me to assess if I wanted it with a different profile, or just thinner in general, and shaped it there on the spot. Really cool to see and feel the neck take shape. After a few passes, the neck was really feeling great and I had that "ah ha!" moment. I'm due to pick up the guitar in a few days so some completed shots are soon to follow I'm sure





hd host images
__________________
Debut instrumental album First Wave || iTunes: https://itun.es/au/e5opkb, Google Play: https://goo.gl/tM49B2, Amazon: https://goo.gl/671X9C
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-28-2017, 03:17 AM
cigarfan's Avatar
cigarfan cigarfan is offline
Music soothes the soul!
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Within the blast radius of Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,176
Default

Gorgeous! Happy for you!
__________________
Life is like a box of chocolates ....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-28-2017, 09:43 AM
BrunoBlack's Avatar
BrunoBlack BrunoBlack is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 10,483
Default

That is a beautiful guitar!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-28-2017, 09:58 AM
dlowry dlowry is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Lille, France
Posts: 160
Default

Lovely guitar! I like how he has continued the back figure into the heelcap.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-30-2017, 05:25 AM
Markkkwan Markkkwan is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1
Default

Hey Tiri, how did the guitar turn out? I'm interested in potentially getting one of these guitars one day. It looks amazing.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-02-2017, 07:20 PM
tiri tiri is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 12
Smile Updates

Apologies for the late reply everyone! Things have been hectic

Here are some photos that were just taken with my iPhone. I am so pleased to say that the guitar is opening up nicely and I've given it to a few really good players like Simon Hossford who commented on the punchy tone which was really cool to hear haha. If anyone is going to the Australian Guitar show this weekend this guitar will be on display at the Ruben Guitars stand so you're more than welcome to come and try it out if you're so inclined, and it would be cool to have a chat with fellow forum members anyhow

If you want to hear it check out my YouTube page

[/url]

how to upload pics







[url=https://ibb.co/hH7cn5]
__________________
Debut instrumental album First Wave || iTunes: https://itun.es/au/e5opkb, Google Play: https://goo.gl/tM49B2, Amazon: https://goo.gl/671X9C
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-02-2017, 09:31 PM
Walters guitars Walters guitars is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Baltimore Maryland
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tiri View Post
Apologies for the late reply everyone! Things have been hectic

Here are some photos that were just taken with my iPhone. I am so pleased to say that the guitar is opening up nicely and I've given it to a few really good players like Simon Hossford who commented on the punchy tone which was really cool to hear haha. If anyone is going to the Australian Guitar show this weekend this guitar will be on display at the Ruben Guitars stand so you're more than welcome to come and try it out if you're so inclined, and it would be cool to have a chat with fellow forum members anyhow

If you want to hear it check out my YouTube page

[/url]

how to upload pics







[url=https://ibb.co/hH7cn5]
Awsome guitar!!
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Custom Shop

Tags
australia, custom build, ruben

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=