Why are all of the stock bodies made of Rock Maple?

Rock Maple is much harder than your standard maple found in most instruments. This specific species is found in abundance in  the Northern US, meaning there is no need for tropical deforestation. This also helps support local logging companies.

Why do R U I N O U S instruments have fragmented bodies?

If you’ve ever wondered why an acoustic guitar hurts to play after a few minutes, its because of its harsh angles and rigid form. The instrument bodies we have designed wrap and twist around the player’s abdomen to feel as ergonomic as possible. Our belly curve cutaway gives the same locked in feel as a prosthetic, attaching right to you.

Is this your dad’s Fender?

No, this is not your dad’s old Fender!

Will this guitar poke me?

Nope! Although there are quite a few crisp edges  there has been a careful attention to pinch points to ensure the player doesn’t get grabbed by this dangerous looking axe!

Why do customers choose their preferred strings when placing an order?

All frets are leveled using a tensioning jig that bends the neck to its position when under string tension. Each string choice will have a slight change in pull on the neck, and will affect the position it will normally fall into. We tension the neck using the strings you choose to guarantee it will be as close to how you’ll use the instrument, ensuring a flatter, more stable neck.

What makes the lifespan longer on RUINOUS instruments?

Material longevity is a big part of our mission. Choosing a very dense body prevents deep dents or screws becoming loose. Using stainless steel our screws and brackets are harder than pot metal, brass, aluminum like most mass produced instruments. Our truss rod of choice is the 2-Way  Hotrod, which has no threaded block on the tail end, which means a repair shop could slide this truss rod out without removing the fretboard or butchering the wood. This means in the worst case scenario we can revive the instrument decades down the line. Our modular bodies and bolt on necks in the Blade Series also allows pieces to be swapped if the instrument was seriously damaged.

What components are made of stainless steel?

All of the chrome colored components are solid stainless steel, as well as all screws, bolts, threaded inserts, and fret wire. The only exceptions are the titanium bass saddles and the aluminum pickguards, for weight removal.

Why stainless steel and not chrome plating?

Often manufacturers will use soft and easy to machine metals such as brass, bronze, and mystery alloys. These metals are then chrome plated to look like polished steel but in reality will often chip and wear revealing the soft unappealing metal beneath. At RUINOUS we have made sure all custom components are made of a solid material such as Stainless, Titanium, and Aluminum so that there will be no amount of wear that will tarnish their appearance. This also allows owners to get parts re-polished as much as they want.

What neck profile should I choose?

If you’re preferred hand position includes having your thumb resting along the center of the neck then the Asymmetrical D neck profile is ideal. This is a flatter profile used for more technical single note playing. If you find your hand wrapped around the neck with your thumb above the fretboard then the C shape neck is more appropriate. This curvier neck profile fits in the crotch of your hand , and is ideal for those that play chords and multi string hold positioning.

Will my instrument sound different from a normal guitar?

Yes, a bit.. but in a good way! With the Stainless bracketing and Wenge necks our instruments have quite a bit of natural sustain and attack! On our non-headless models the 1/8” thick metal logo on the headstock adds extra inertia behind neck vibration, adding even more sustain.

What should I use to display my instrument?

A wall mount guitar stand will work with any of our non-headless models. As will any neck hold floor positional guitar stands. Fender makes a “Universal A Frame Guitar Stand” that can adjust to hold guitars with the second knee cutaway. Anything that holds the standard ergonomic headless style guitar will work well.

What is Richlite and why choose it for the fretboard material?

Richlite is a synthetic resin based substitute for Ebony. It is unaffected by temperature and moisture changes, making it an excellent choice for the traveling musician, or the player living in an ever changing climate. It has the same tonal qualities as ebony, with a matched density.