COMMUNICATION TOOL FOR YOUR SOUL
As a youngster, playing guitar was just the coolest thing. Learning those first riffs and licks was hard work – but so much fun! Later in life the guitar became a way of life for me – and to my astonishment I’ve realized that slowly but surely, I’ve become surrounded by others like me. Passion for music and guitars! That is what connects you and me.
– Juha Ruokangas
Mojo
VSOP
Unicorn
Duke
Aeon
Hellcat
Steam
Peace, love & good music
They say there’s no such thing as a stupid question, and having been around in the guitar business as long as I have, I tell you: It is true. Every question is indeed a good question – but there are tons of bad answers around!
That is why I started my Weekly Wednesday Live broadcasts and Zen & The Art of Guitar Maintenance series on YouTube – they’re my attempt to help you get the most out of your guitar. The brand or monetary value of the guitar you play doesn’t matter – we’re all in the same boat here!
Choose your favourite platform: Over 50 episodes of Ruokangas Podcast available on your favourite podcast platform – or watch our YouTube channel with well over 200 videos and more to come. See you there!
Design the way you like it
Compose the specs exactly the way you want from our carefully curated choice of options – down to such details as selecting the grain pattern of the top wood from our actual inventory. That’s right – the tops you see in the Creator are the exact same tops we have available here, at our workshop in Finland.
The journey of making your guitar
Having a guitar custom made is a thrill to remember – complete with photos we will send you when making your guitar. When your instrument is ready, we will ship it express to your door – or you can come pick it up from Finland in person. Then it’s time to unbox, plug and play!
Your choices matter
Everything we do has an impact on people and the planet. You and I can do our part simply by consuming less – by investing in goods that will not be thrown away. You never actually own a Ruokangas. You merely look after it for the next generation.
I’m thrilled
The workmanship and the finish of my Unicorn Artisan is really high end! Playing lead or clean – I’m thrilled!
Better and better
I totally fell in love with the VSOP and yet it’s getting better and better. The sound of this guitar is unbelievable.
Second to none
The communication with Ruokangas during the build process and post delivery care are second to none.
Now I know
This is old news to you, but now I too know that you build the best guitars in the world!
Simple yet refined
The Mojo Grande is a masterpiece to be explored – at the same time simple yet refined.
Happy in every way
Thank you maestro! Great work – I am really very happy in every way with the VSOP – playability, sound..!
From another planet
It’s like you are from another planet and arrived on earth to build the best guitars in the whole universe… seriously!
Fat tone
I swear your Hellcat almost sounds like a bass-guitar – such a fat tone! Also, the pickups are a dream!
Diamond
The Mojo Grande is the diamond among my many guitars.
Friendly frets
Absolutely gorgeous, love it. Beautiful! I like how the frets feel too. They’re very friendly frets.
What you see is what you get
20 years ago I spent my office hours answering questions how different features would work in a finished guitar – that’s when I realized the importance to find a way to visualize your dream instrument! Our solution was an online guitar configurator. By now our modest app from the early days has evolved into an advanced 3D tool that makes ordering a custom guitar great fun!
Playing doesn’t need to hurt
Each Ruokangas instrument is built for you, the individual customer, by one single luthier, taking into account your preferences and the style of music you play. Playing doesn’t need to hurt – a well designed instrument helps your body to relax and prevents back aches and muscle pains. When playing is your passion, it should stay that way for a lifetime!
Nothing to hide
Bad news spread faster and wider than ever before in history. This can have detrimental results for a guitar maker if he makes mistakes and breaks his promises to the customer. We welcome with open open arms the transparency of the modern world. We work hard to communicate openly and inform you about our values and practical solutions regarding every detail of our work. Living is easy when one has nothing to hide.
Premium responsibility
As a consumer, you have a right to expect more. That’s why we only use tonewood from sustainable sources, be it locally harvested or the FSC-certified imported species. Our paints and other chemicals are governed within the strict EU legislation and the recycling of all our waste is promptly organized and monitored. All this is part of the premium quality you pay for when buying an instrument from us.
BUILT FOR LIFE
We want to create the ideal tools for your art of making music that lasts through generations. To reach this goal, each of our guitars is individually handmade to the highest standard by one of us, the Ruokangas master guitar makers, using the finest sustainable materials that will stand the test of time. No serial production methods or automated processes are involved in the making, to guarantee quality you can rely on.
Built with the best players in mind
We want to help you in reaching your musical goals, wherever they may lead you to. That’s why our instruments are built with the best players in mind. It means the guitar will live and grow with you, and you don’t need to worry if the instrument you own might set limits to your development as a player.
The right tradition
Ruokangas guitars are well-made and they sound really sweet. They’re built in what I’d call the right tradition.
Wherever I go
Wherever I go, I keep getting compliments of how great the Duke sounds and looks.
It plays itself
The Hellcat is so effortless – it practically plays itself. I can play and plan to play exactly what I want.
Owning a Ruokangas
Owning a Ruokangas, to me, is like owning 3 albums worth of material you haven’t written yet!
No rival
There is just no rival to the consistant and balanced tone of my Ruokangas guitar.
The only bass I play
All I can say is this – from the day I bought the Steam bass, it has been the only bass I play both in studio and live!
Superb
This is superb. The Duke is the best electric guitar I’ve ever had!
The only guitar I need
The immense amount of tonal variation make it the only guitar I need for sessions and gigs.
Like a grand piano
The Aeon reacts to different nuances just the way I want – every note is distinct like in a grand piano.
Barks and growls
It barks and growls like a P90 loaded 50’s era guitar. It will always be a part of my arsenal.
Not a toy
It’s definitely not a toy – but it makes me play like a child!
Kick ass
The Ruokangas guitars kick ass!
Another one
One day I might need another guitar – and it will certainly be a Ruokangas, too!
Own path
These guitars are for men who walk their own paths.
Obvious choice
I’ve always wanted to walk my own paths, and for me Ruokangas guitar was an obvious choice.
Juha Ruokangas
Praise the Mighty Juha Ruokangas – God of Fretted Instruments!
Like no other
It responds to my touch like no other solidbody I’ve played.
Friendly frets
Absolutely gorgeous, love it. Beautiful! I like how the frets feel too. They’re very friendly frets.
Plays wonderfully
The Duke plays wonderfully, sounds clear and sweet, is built extremely well and is resonant and versatile.
Makes me smile
Grabbing one of my Ruokangas guitars makes me smile – how an earth can they feel and sound so great!?
An indispensible tool
My Duke is an indispensible tool in my toolbox. I use it all the time.
My search
My Duke has ended my search for a perfect dual-humbucker style guitar.
Essential
The VSOP is very comfy to play both sitting down and strapped on – essential when playing through long sets.
Guitar evolution
The Duke is the most astounding guitar-evolution I’ve ever come across!
One guitar
If I do an all-around gig and can bring only one guitar, it’s always the Duke.
Players’ choice
The Mojo Grande survives rough life on the road. The players’ choice!
It’s meant for me
It simply feels like it’s meant for me and is the most beautiful sounding and looking guitar I’ve ever had.
Time to buy
Last time I bought an electric guitar (Telecaster) in 1966, and now it’s time to buy another one. This is superb!
Friendly frets
Absolutely gorgeous, love it. Beautiful! I like how the frets feel too. They’re very friendly frets.
Setting the bar
Ruokangas sets the bar as a standard by which all of the boutique guitar companies should be measured against…
Unique sensitivity
I enjoy the unique sensitivity of the Steambass – whatever nuances I play, all can be heard.
Life’s too short
Life is just too short to play bad guitars.
Impeccable
I thank Juha and everybody at Ruokangas for their impeccable work. I respect their fine attitude towards life!
Big tone
The VSOP is my all-around workhorse with it’s clear, sustaining and BIG tone!
Second to none
The communication with Ruokangas during the build process and post delivery care are second to none.
Truly green
There are green guitars. But this one is truly green!
We’re pals
Me and the Duke, we’re pals. This guitar has been my main instrument since I bought it. I’m really happy with it
Playable Art
I love my Ruokangas Unicorn. Simply put, Ruokangas Guitars are Playable Art!
My main guitar
My Aeon Artist and Deluxe are my main guitars. They make me play better – like the guitar was playing me!
Fits right in
The Duke Sonic is the most versatile guitar I’ve had the pleasure to fondle. Fits right in in every situation and band.