My 10+ year wait for my new guitar is finally about to end!
Some 10 years ago (I cant remember the exact date nor year, as it seems so long ago now...), I had placed an order with American luthier Robert Ruck, to be put in his famed waiting list, which at that time was claimed to be 7 years long.
For those uninitiated to the world of handmade concert classical guitars, these are instruments which are hand-crafted by individual luthiers (instead of mass produced in factories), and the prices of these instruments depend largely on the most basic economic principle - supply and demand. Simply put, when a luthier achieves a certain level of fame - which usually happens when a famous performing/recording artiste plays using one of this luthier's crafted instrument - the demand of this luthier's guitar will rise in tandem with his fame.
To some, it may seem a little foolish to pay tens of thousands of dollars for an instrument, especially one which you have not even tried on before making that purchase. After all, they argue, the sound which a classical guitar can produce is a very "personal" thing. A large part depends on the player's abilities - his technique, his ability to produce pleasant-sounding tones using his fingers, and last but not least - his personal preference for the sound that is produced. I agree with this. There is no substitute for good playing skills and the worst guitar can sound good under the hands of a master. This I have experienced first-hand, when a Japanese guitar professor (Manji-san) from the Niibori guitar Academy visited us many years back. It was really an eye (and ear) opening experience for the many students/alumni who have attended his masterclasses then.
Yet, a good concert guitar can enhance a player's sound production (and tonal quality) to a large extent too. The idea is to use less effort to produce the same sound volume/quality, or to use the same effort to produce a much larger sound/better tone. Another aspect of playing on a well-crafted instrument is the intangible - yet significant - effect that it has on a player's motivation level. We are more likely to want to practise on the instrument (be it guitar or any other instruments) if we like what we hear when we strum or pluck the notes. In that sense, a good concert instrument can also have the effect of raising a player's passion and motivation to practise, and hence lead to his becoming a better player overall (technically and musically).
As to the risk involved in paying so much for an instrument which you haven't even seen nor touch beforehand, well.. it's down to faith and a bit of luck, I suppose. No 2 handcrafted instrument - even by the same luthier, built around the same time in his career - can sound the same. A top luthier can occasionally produce a dud of a guitar, while a gem may be uncovered amongst the hordes of guitars churned out from the factories. That is why people (myself included) decided to put their faith in those guitar maestros who have played and performed on these hand-crafted instruments, reason being - if a world class professional wants to use that luthier's guitar, it must mean that luthier is capable of producing good instruments. As for how CONSISTENT the luthier is, we (ie. laymen) would throng through the forums and websites where netizens would give their own 2-cents worth. From the cumulative feedback provided, a trend eventually emerges - those luthiers who are recognised as the consistent good builders and those who may have been "1 hit wonders".
I've made my decision years ago, and now it's time to reap the rewards of my patience and for putting my faith in a luthier whose reputation seems to be growing by the day (or years) since then.
It could be a very merry and happy Chinese New Year for me, in 2010. Hopefully my faith is well placed.... We shall know if a couple of weeks' time. I will keep you posted on this blog!
