Custom Guitars  2013 Hand crafted in the USA

 "I strive to create one masterpiece at a time for discerning musicians  with fine tone woods, skill and patience". 

   Robert Rusch  

  Hours of Operation : Sunday - Saturday  8am - 5pm  EST ,  Phone : 716-228-2755  

What's New?

Here's a few completed projects & projects in the works at Rusch Guitars -

Here's a G.C. Rosebud Tribute -

Mrs. Pat Martino & her Artista  -

Another Artista model , featuring a beautiful exotic pegstock veneer 

A ToneKing Supreme archtop -

A J.G. Tribute - "Tigerbear"

A J.G. Tribute Tiger - 11- layer cocobolo & maple body

handmade brass parts, O.B.E.L. & Buffer -

Testimonials

Here are a few testimonials from happy customers !

Hi Rob

 Woodwork is astounding. Everything turned out like a dream. I actually think the concentric pots work nicely. Honestly, though, I'm much more impressed with the sound and playability of the guitar than with its aesthetics. It plays like a dream. Everything, from the fret markers, to intonation, are absolutely perfect for me. And the number of tones and sounds I can make is astounding. More to come once I play for a few more days! 

Todd S. , CA - J.G. Tribute

"You just don't get quality like this and this kind of carved neck from the stuff of the rack at guitar center !"

Tony, Buffalo, NY (Custom L5S Style)

 THE GUITAR IS AMAZINGGGGG
i love it i am still exploring all the sounds and controls and so far i love them
the sounds it makes are wonderful!!
it sounds better then any of my friends guitars hahahah
and it is beautiful!
truly amazing ! cant wait to really make that thing sing

 Evan, NJ.   ( '59 Custom carve top)

  I saw the guitar they now call "Wolf" for the first time, in the Spring of 1973 at a New Riders/Dead show. It was always my favorite, perhaps because it was the first truly custom guitar that I had seen. Fast forward almost 40 years, and I have my wonderful interpretation of the original "hippie sandwich" guitar by Robert Rusch. I own over 20 great guitars, but have not played any but this one in the week since it arrived. Good thing that I'm a collector, or I would be hard pressed to figure out what to do with the contents of my closet. The process of the build was almost as fun as having the guitar at home. You will have a real treat working with Robert. This guitar is easy to play, looks wonderful, but the sound is really amazing. I don't own another guitar with a more clear sound. That is the only way to describe it, clear, no crap at all. I've got instruments worth 10 times the cost of this one, and this is the finest. You will not go wrong with Rusch Guitars. Thanks, Robert.

J. Blake California

 Hey Robert,

Well, I am finally getting a chance to sit down and really play the TKS.  I finally sat down and had a chance to play quite a bit with the TKS and I have to say, "This is one fine playing guitar." Wow. I remember how excited I was a few years back when I purchased a really beautiful version of Benedetto's Benny guitars but when it arrived and I got her tuned up, what a disappointment. The guitar was tonally flat and dead. Not so with this TKS, it sings and sings and sings. So nicely balanced, which is a tricky thing to achieve with a shorter scaled instrument, i.m.h.o. The neck is so slender and easy to get up and down. I only wish my L-12 had as nice a neck.
She looks way cool, kind-of what I would imagine what the offspring would be if a Gibson archtop and a Gretsch hooked up. Very cool. So easy to play and has the neck of a Super 400 with the cool split block. The C.C. pickup is very warm and easy to find a nice dialed in sweet spot. 

Ryan, UT

 I got the wolf on friday evening and played it for a few and it sounds wonderful.  The action is beautiful, the color is beautiful. I brought it to band practice today and really wailed on it. She was screaming when she needed to and softly hummed on demand. This is the most incredible guitar I have ever put into my hands. You are so talented, you belong in guitar magazine. Im going to take my time to learn all the switches and tones, too much to try and figure out in an hour. My mom said it belongs in a museum or on the wall in a studio.  I love it rob!!!!! Thanks again brother!!! I want to stay in touch and see what else you got working on, like the purple & teal '59 Custom.. I'll chat with you tomorrow,. Im back on duty and on the desk. Thank you again brother,

 Mike

Robert, Thank you so much for assembling the Martin 000 Kit for me. I've had 18 different acoustic guitars in the last 35 years  - this one is the best. Period. The action and tone are incredible - I love it. Todd W. Buffalo, NY  * IN RESPONSE TO A PHOTO TODD W SENT TO MR DICK BOAK OF MARTIN - "Beautifully crafted guitar"  - June 2011

I cannot say enough about the positive experience I had regarding a custom setup and repair project I had. I built a custom guitar that needed some fine tuning to get it to where I needed it to be. I did the best I could building the guitar (it was my first guitar build). The neck needed to be cut down a fret, new springs in the Kahler tremelo and the neck needed to be reset w/ custom shims. Mr Rusch took the time to explain the scope of needed repair work, qouted a very reasonable price and proceeded to complete the project in a timely manor. I also know that the labor involved was much more extensive than originally anticipated, but Mr. Rusch only charged for the original quoted labor. The end result: I couldn't be more impressed and pleased with the entire experience. The guitar now plays great and Rusch Guitars has exceedeed my expectations. Thank you for your professional attitude, understanding and true craftsmanship. Kevin K., (Guitar modifications)
 

 Bob it's a dream...

I actually got good tone straight through the practice amp! I have had that amp forever didn't know it was possible!  The variety of sounds you can dial right from the guitar is Awsome... I got in my groove a little and was really impressed with the seperation of the strings individual voices. I have never played a pro guitar, it actually makes my playing better. I LOVE the neck's action, its like I have greased hands lol.... It gonna be awhile to realize everything, I keep discovering things I like... I'm blown away. It is already my pride n joy! Very very very happy. Mike Z. Niagara Falls, NY ('59 Custom)

"Sweet, Sweet guitar, awesome tones, don't know if I want to play it or stare at it!" Todd W., Buffalo, NY (Stage & Studio Semi-hollow)

My guitar is the black one i bought it off ebay from a guy and i won it for a reletively low cost, when to buy it from the luthier it cost over 3 thousand. I was lucky, but if you have 3,000 to spend get a custom from this guy, you can get it unique how you like it and he builds a mean guitar, amazing tone and playability, his guitars play better than gibsons. GD (Miniarch with Seymour Duncan pickups)

"I LOVE the guitar, Great guitar!" Fred W. ('59 Custom)

"It's a piece of artwork", " I can't believe the feel"  (Stage & Studio)- Anthony - NYC

"Fabulous work" - Kevin, Buffalo, NY, On custom repair work.

Robert builds unique instruments in which the pre-build includes lots of questions from Robert and lots of input from the customer.  This is my second attempt at a custom guitar from a builder.  My first experience was with someone else and it was terrible.  Absolutely a total disaster.  I knew when I first spoke with Robert that this would be different.  He asked the right questions and the guitar he made for me is perfect for my needs.  I said to him that the most critical part for me will be the neck.  He got it right with the exact specifications I was looking for.  The follow-up after delivery was unexpected in this day in age.  He asked me if I was 100% satisfied and would there be anything I would like to change.  Short answer is no because it is just what I asked for, great neck, balance and tone.  If you want a truly great custom guitar for a fair price you will not go wrong with Robert at Rusch Guitars.  Joe from Kennett Square, PA."  ('59 Custom)

"I took my family heirloom acoustic to Rusch guitars for repair & albeit, it's an inexpensive 70's Epiphone, it was important that I had it repaired.The guitar had "sagged" over the past 30 something years and had become unplayable. Bob took the time to explain the scope of the work & changed out the worn-out tuners, spruced-up the fretboard, converted the bolt-on neck to a glued in set neck & crafted a custom saddle and got rid of the metal assembly.The guitar plays great & sounds loud and crisp now. The cost was VERY resonable and it was completed in record time. Thank you!"Mike Z., Niagara Falls, NY  03.01.11

"You know, I bought a custom Ibanez and this action is just as good" &  - (Sharkfin Model)  -

I own three Rusch guitars and, currently I am in the process of ordering my 4th custom Rusch archtop guitar.
I have to say that after more than 30 years of playing, repairing and teaching guitar (including teaching guitar at the university level) my Rusch guitars are some of the finest playing instruments I have ever owned, and I have owned a lot of guitars, mostly high end new and vintage archtop guitars, including:  A Benedetto, an Andersen, 3 Heritage archtops, 2 Del Artes and a couple dozen vintage Gibson guitars (L-5s, L-4s and an L-10 & L-12).  Currently, I am only playing Rusch guitars.  The guitars Mr. Rusch built for me were to my specifications and are my dream guitars.
I have found Mr. Rusch to be honest, caring and generally concerned with building a musical instrument which meets my playing needs.  Mr. Rusch is easy to communicate with and open to suggestions and ideas.  In short, I can not imagine a better person to work with in the planning and execution of a guitar.
I have purchased two Miniarchs and a thinline version of his Toneking guitar.  I am currently in the process of ordering a full-sized Toneking guitar.   I plan on having Robert Rusch as one of my luthiers for life and I would highly recommend his instruments to any musician who is concerned about finding an excellent playing and sounding guitar.

"I  received the guitar last night and I'm very happy. I love the feel of the guitar --it just feels very expressive. It feels balanced and solid-but I still get the hollow body sustain--and looks fantastic. Very nice work. Intonation seems perfect to me"  ... & " The Guitar  is performing superbly--and has impressed the other pickers I hang with. Very comfortable guitar to play--it inspires me to play more jazzier stuff".
Erik - NJ , USA ( Custom model)

"The tones are smokin' and the action is great, so easy to bend " ,Tony P., Lewiston, NY - Sharkfin model

 "You can sit and play her without plugging in and still get some incredibly nice tones with a fairly loud voice.  Plugged in she sings and you can find tones everywhere from a sweet jazz tone in the neck pickup to a pretty biting rock/blues in a combination of the neck and bridge.  The sound is most definitely a 10.  It simply does not get better". (Miniarch Custom) "The action on this guitar is perfect".  "If there was a higher rating than 10, Mr. Rusch would certainly earn it." - Ryan, UT

"Great action and playability" - ( " '59 Custom" model) - Buffalo, NY

"The guitar plays magnificently" - (Toneking model)

Man, this guy can build!" -  Kyle - SC, (Custom '59, &  Goldtop Custom).

"Django Heaven" " Plays like dream. Rings loudly unplugged. Great sustain" - (Miniarch) - Harmony Central review -

"Mr Rusch knows how to build a great guitar!", Lonnie, MS , (Miniarch)

"Robert makes a fine handmade guitar & goes extra length to ensure satisfaction!!, - Lee,  Arlington, VA (Miniarch)

"I am thoroughly enjoying the Toneking.  A few things I have noticed.  Harmonics,  this guitar has harmonics at the 5th, 7th. 9th, 12, +++++ WOW!  Such nice bell like tones.  You rarely find a guitar that has harmonics much beyond the 12th.  Also, your inlay work on the block MOP's is perfect.  I can't believe how tightly you have the blocks fitted.  I love the feel and look of the neck it is perfect".

"Superb! " Bob,  New Jersey , USA-

"Great - has that "played-in feel" already" - SC

"Beautiful guitars" - Master luthier & Guitar building legend,

 Robert Benedetto , GA

 Online news artical -

 http://belowthefalls.com/home/story/youngstowns-rusch-finds-hit-guitar-making-business

Also please check out Harmony Central for additional reviews