Weekly Wednesday Q&A with Juha Ruokangas

"Medium or Jumbo frets? Narrow or wide? Nickel silver or stainless steel? EVO gold - what the heck is that anyways..!?"

Don't fret - you're not alone if you're confused about guitar frets, considering how many choices there are available these days. On this episode of my Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A I'll address what are the meaningful differences between different fret sizes and materials. 

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

"I bought a guitar.. but the neck profile is not comfortable. The pickups could be hotter, too! Should I get another guitar - or have this one modded? Is it worth the money?"

Let's talk about guitar modifications! On this episode you'll find out whether it is worth modding your guitar or not? We'll discuss on the various aspects that are good to take into account next time you're pondering whether you should have the neck profile of your guitar shaved slimmer, have the pickups changed or the paint stripped off...

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Should I go for bolt-on? Set neck? Neck-through-body? The web is full of advice - but can I trust it?

Do an internet search, and you'll find TONS of articles and videos comparing neck joints of guitars. The forums are saturated with opinions on the topic as well. So why to make yet another video about neck joints?? Well, a lot of the content available tends to repeat the same old myths: Bolt-on loses energy... set-neck has the best sustain... neck-thru is the most stable... blah blah blah.

Unfortunately, a lot of the available content on this topic is.. well, embarrassingly bad. Claims and opinions that are based on shady theories without offering a single piece of  evidence. Well... is there ANY good information available? Watch the video and find out! :)

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

As you know, I'm not typically doing these Weekly Wednesday Live about my own guitars. But.. since the broadcast IS about answering your questions and possible concerns, I thought it would be useful for you if I addressed a bunch of rather common negative associations linked to ordering a custom instrument. 

Some of these points may seem valid about ordering basically any custom guitar, while others are more focused to the specific niche my instruments represent within the spectrum of "what's out there". In any case - I want to point out that these are all aspects I have personally come across repeatedly over the years, and I'm not really in a position to generalize. In other words - any resemblance to other luthiers or companies is purely coincidental. :) 

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

FUGUE /fjuːɡ/

1. In MUSIC - a contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts.

2. In PSYCIATRY - a state of loss of awareness of one's identity, often coupled with flight from one's usual environment, associated with certain forms of hysteria and epilepsy.

On this episode of my Weekly Wednesday Live James and I will discuss about makig music - being an artist in the world we live in - virtuosity - inspiration... and a little bit of guitars, too!

https://wheelband.net/​

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

"Some things are better than others, that is, they have more quality. But when you try to say what the quality is, apart from the things that have it, it all goes poof!" - Robert M. Pirsig

Let's discuss quality! What is it? How can you tell something has it? Or is 'quality' one of those words that have simply degraded to one more of those endless empty marketing terms..!?

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

The Perfect Tone... Does it even exist? And if it does, why does it keep eluding me? On this episode of my Weekly Wednesday Live I'll talk about the 4 key elements that define your electric guitar sound, and explain some of the reasons why we the search of that holy grail of sounds often may appear endless!

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha​

Last week the title of my show was "How To Become The Guitarist I've Always Wanted To Be". In other words, we discussed about setting goals and how to reach those goals. But what if the world doesn't get it? What if my music is the most original ever - I feel my ideas could change the world - but nobody seems to listen! 

Well, you're not alone with those questions. This Wednesday we'll continue right where we left off a week ago. Let's dig deeper into how to make the world listen to what you have to say - or play!

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Easy, right? You become who you want to be by practising more! But... is it really that easy? Typically life steps on the way, and we don't always get to fulfill our fantasies or reach our goals. On this episode of my Weekly Wednesday Live I will teach you a method that has been very helpful for me and my company over the past years in getting us where we've wanted to go.

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Be it cars, electronics, kitchen knives or guitars,  “Made in Japan” equals high quality. But… why? It wasn’t always that way. When it comes to industrial goods, "Made in Japan” used to be the “Made in China” back in the 1960's. The cheap option. 

Let’s talk about what changed all that, and more importantly: What can we learn from the Japanese way!

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Class society - the way of the western world back in medieval times. The noblemen and clergy at the top, merchants and craftsmen next, followed by the common folk - the working class. And finally, the thieves, prostitutes and beggars at the bottom of the barrel. Oh - almost forgot... under all the rest, there they are, lurking in the dark: The performing artists - the musicians - the freelancers...

How far have we progressed from the medieval class society? Let's discuss that in my last Weekly Wednesday Live episode for the very peculiar and controversial year 2020. 

A little disclaimer. This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

My mind has been buzzing since our company 25th Anniversary online celebration. A lot of thoughts cruising on my mind's highways - so I thought that in this episode I would try to organize my brain a little!

I've done a lot of reflecting on the past lately, and this has inevitably brought me to the troubling thought of: "What about tomorrow? What's next?". And I'm not talking about myself or my company's doings here, but more the future of guitar driven music. 

Let's talk about that! Where is the next frontline? The next generation pioneers? Who is the next Jimi Hendrix?

A little disclaimer. This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

During the past two week episodes I’ve reflected on my past from a couple of different perspectives. We began two weeks ago by jumping straight into the deep end. Crossroads that I feel have had a significant impact on how I have become who I am. Last week I took a bit lighter approach reflecting the past 25 years from another perspective, celebrating my love for guitars by talking about a few of my favourite European guitars and their makers. Today we will continue my 25th anniversary reflections - again from a different point of view. Let's talk about music!

A little disclaimer. This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Today, I will reflect another facet of my 25 years in guitar business - not as a guitar maker, but as a guitar enthusiast - a player - a fan - just like you! 

My 7 favourite electric guitars made in Europe. That should be fun! I set some rules for myself to make this impossibly difficult task a bit easier - but you'll have to watch the show to find out what those rules are - and what those 7 favourites could be!

A little disclaimer. This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

What a cryptic title for today’s talk, right? Many of you have noticed that we’re celebrating my company’s 25th anniversary, and, being in the middle of the preparations for our online Celebration event that I’m sure some of you have noticed already on Facebook, I was thinking - how could I share with you in a meaningful way - some reflections from my past - but not focusing to the moments of success, but rather the more essential part of life. 

What has sculpted me the person I am today? Which factors contribute in me "finding myself"? And - could my story perhaps help you on your journey to find your calling - your own voice? 

After all - the fundamentals for us, human beings - they're often the same, regardless the walk of life we’re on. 

A little disclaimer. This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Today we’re going to talk about tools and accessories that I feel every guitarist should own! The idea for this video has been brewing for quite a while, and while I have definitely mentioned many of these items on earlier videos & podcasts, I felt it’s a good idea to dedicate one whole video to this topic that is often presented in a bit haphazard way, cutting corners in the attempt to sell you something - and often enough it is something you don't really need. So let's do it better..!

A little disclaimer. This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals! 

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Yup, I love buying guitar gear... but it is so hard to make the right choices! Let's talk about this. I got inspired from the past 7 episodes where I interviewed cool people within the guitar biz, and in addition to that I had already interviewed Henning Pauly earlier on, as well as I did the  podcast about reasons why it's not always the smartest idea to order a custom guitar. On this video we'll continue from those brainstormings, and I'll summarize to you my top 10 tips - what to consider when buying a guitar?

A little disclaimer - this broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

Talk to you soon,
Juha

The 7th, conclusive interview in this epic series - Factory manufactured or luthier made - what's the real difference?

I'm happy to welcome Michael Spalt to the broadcast. Yet another God of Fretted Instruments and my dear brother in arms - a cofounder and the President of the European Guitar Builders association.

Michael and I have discussed a lot about this very topic over the years, among all things related to guitar - such as the ethical dilemmas and paradoxes of practising our profession in this modern age where many of the traditional materials we’ve used have become endangered. We live in a time where the term “hand made” has become a cliché - an empty word granting a higher price for any product, regardless of how it is factually crafted. We’ve discussed endlessly the different facets and effects of globalization and free market capitalism, and how does it all show in our common consuming habits. And... in one way or the other, it all ties in a variety of ways to our very topic: What is the real difference between a mass produced and a luthier built guitar?

A little disclaimer - this broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Factory manufactured - or luthier made? What's the real difference?  And whatever it is... does it really matter to the player?

5 interviews in this epic series behind - and you know what? I have interviewed small builders - some who have worked for a factory and as as an individual luthier - and I've even dragged in Fender, the biggest corporation of them all! But... I've realized that we’re all middle aged (or older) men, including myself. Where’s the next generation? The young - the innovative - the future in the continuum of making inspirational instruments for musicians?

So - let’s fix the problem and talk to a future generation God of Fretted Instruments! Except… when I phrased it this way to my wife, Emma, her first comment was: “Why only Gods - where are all the equally important Goddesses of Fretted Instruments!?”

Ouch. Point taken! :) Let me introduce to you Rosie Heydenrych, the hard working young luthier behind Turnstone Guitars, located in Surrey, England. Rosie founded her company in 2015, and she makes steel-stringed acoustic guitars. During this relatively short period of time Turnstone guitars have gained quite a bit of attention from players around the world.

A little disclaimer - this broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Factory manufactured - or luthier made? What's the real difference?  And whatever it is... does it matter to the player?

I have by now interviewed 4 experienced guitar makers for the 'factory vs luthier' series... but... something's missing, isn't it? It is indeed a bit suspicious to discuss the differences between factory and luthier made guitars without giving the big boys the microphone, too! Yes, let's up the game and change perspective!

On the 5th episode of the series, I'll be talking to Tim Shaw, who used to work for Gibson all the way from 1970's and then switched to Fender. Tim has worked since 1996 as the Chief Engineer of Fender R&D department. 

A little disclaimer - this broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars, be it guitarists, guitar enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

Talk to you soon,
Juha