Master Luthier
RUBEN BECKER
Since 2005, Ruben Becker has been the driving force and creative designer of some of the world's most beautiful bespoke guitars. His entire pursuit as a luthier is the perfection of each and every unique and one of a kind instrument - handcrafted and designed specifically for you. Ruben has unprecedented access to the world's most sought after and rare tonewoods, making each guitar with the 'Ruben' moniker a truly bespoke, heirloom masterpiece.
Handcrafting a limited number of bespoke commissions a year, and travelling the globe to source the world's most rare and exotic timbers, Ruben has become one of the world's premier luthiers.
We are all different as musicians and people, so 'The Bespoke Experience' to us means creating an instrument of unrivaled quality, tailored to your individual taste and desire.
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The key elements to this experience are the best and rarest materials, expert design and craftsmanship, and extensive customisation options.
THE
BESPOKE
EXPERIENCE
HOW TO ORDER
1
START
Depending on your budget, your electric or acoustic build will fit into a discrete level. We don't lock you into a particular shape or style, but as the levels ascend you get access to rarer timbers and higher-end finishing.
At the pinnacle of our range are the Legacy guitars, which are truly one of a kind heirloom quality masterpieces.
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DESIGN & TONEWOODS
Now that your build spot is secured the fun begins! Tell us your dream guitar shape and we will help you pair it with incredible and rare tonewoods, thanks to our exclusive access to 'The Wood Bank'. This, of course, includes the famed Brazilian Rosewood, Ancient Sitka Spruce, "The Tree" Quilted Mahogany and much more.
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4
BUILD COMMENCES
Now we start to prepare the wood and structural elements of your instrument. It's a good time to think about what kind of hardware and pickups you'd like, but also how you can make this build uniquely yours. Check out our vast range of customisation options and previously inlay work to get inspired!
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FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ORDERING
How many build spots are there per year?
We allocate approximately 10 build spots per year for acoustic guitars and 30 for electrics. We focus on quality, not quantity, and as such, there is often a waiting list for one of our creations. To avoid disappointment, get in contact today to secure your spot!
How much do your guitars cost?
We make a high-quality instrument with no shortcuts or compromises, so naturally, our guitars are not within everyone's price range. However, you'd be surprised how affordable our hand made guitars are compared to the big brands, and we pride ourselves on the performance of our instruments being second to none.
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Learn more about our models and their price ranges here.
How long does a build take?
There are a number of factors that can affect how long a build takes such as the complexity, and your initial commitment to an idea or path for your guitar. If you really know what you want that certainly speeds up the process, but we don't encourage rushing this as it is a special time for our clients. Typically, our acoustic guitars take between six to twelve months, with electric guitars generally taking four to eight months.
Can I order just the tonewood?
We provide limited sets of our rare tonewoods for other luthiers and aspiring guitar makers.
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Can I ...?
Have stainless steel frets? Design my own headstock? Supply my own pickups? Yes. We are proud to offer a huge range of customisation options to truly live up to the word bespoke. Learn more here.
BUILDS / DESIGN
Where do you get your tonewoods?
We are fortunate enough to have exclusive access to The Wood Bank (learn more), a proverbial Aladdin's Cave of tonewood wonders. This is the source of our highly desirable Brazilian rosewood, quilted maple, and historic spruce to name just a few. When sourcing our timber we ensure that it is done responsibly for the longevity of the business and environment.
What is possible in terms of customisation or inlays?
Our design team has created some truly incredible artworks over the years, which are a great indicator or our capability and creativity. Even if all you have is a concept, we can work with you to make that a reality.
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Are there complimentary tonewoods? How do I decide?
Picking your tonewoods is an exciting step in the build process, but it can be overwhelming with so many choices! As this is a highly personal choice, we suggest you go with something that really speaks to you or draws you in. If you're interested in the nuances of how tonewood affects the sound and feel of your guitar, we can sit down with you during your build consultation to help with this decision. In the meantime, feel free to check out our tonewood information page.
Where can I hear one of your guitars?
We are currently working on a substantial library of sound samples of our instruments, so please subscribe to our newsletter to be alerted when it's ready!
PAYMENT & SHIPPING
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, credit card or electronic funds transfer (internet banking).
Do I need to pay for my guitar all at once?
You can if you want, but you don't have to! To commence any custom build we require a deposit to cover the cost of materials. As your guitar progresses, it will reach certain milestones such as being ready for paint or being ready to install the hardware. At these key milestones, we will send through an invoice to ensure your build keeps progressing.
Where can I find out more about trade ins or consignment?
Please visit this page.
Can you help me justify this purchase to my significant other / myself?
Of course! Our instruments are as unique as you are, and the feeling you get from seeing your guitar evolve from concept to finished masterpiece, with all the features you wanted is truly incredible. Once you have a custom-built guitar, you'll wonder why you didn't do it early!
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Do you ship interstate or internationally?
For our customers that are far away, we can absolutely assist in providing safe transport for your new build. Please get in contact with us to obtain an estimate for shipping costs and timeframes.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
What is the warranty period?
Ruben Guitars are warranted to be free from defective materials and craftsmanship from date of purchase to the original purchaser. This warranty is not transferable. Ruben Guitars will repair or replace, at its option, any Ruben instrument or part thereof which is found be to be defective with the customer paying for transportation costs to and from Ruben Guitars.
How do I get my guitar serviced?
You can make an appointment to have your guitar serviced by clicking the link below. Note that we are also an authorised repairer for Taylor (Gold Level), Maton, Maestro.
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Can I get my Ruben guitar serviced somewhere else?
We would prefer to ensure you're getting the best possible service experience by bringing your guitar back to the factory to be set up and service, however, we understand that for our interstate and internationally customers this may not be possible. We can arrange to ship in that case, or alternatively can suggest a trusted technician in your area to undertake the service.
How often do I need my guitar setup or serviced?
Provided with your custom guitar build is a complimentary three-month checkup to ensure everything has settled in OK, and to make any adjustments you desire. After that, we recommend a service once a year, and you can, of course, make use of our standard re-stringing and setup services. Learn more.