Introducing the “ ARTISTA

For decades, Rik Jonna, guitar player and aficionado, has designed guitars for artist, including himself, and has worked with and commissioned one-of-a-kind custom instruments from some of the worlds finest makers. In doing so, he has been involved in many of the design aspects of guitars built for him by several “Master Luthiers” including, but not limited to, James D’Aquisto, Robert Benedetto, Christian Mirabella, Brian Cohen, Hermann Hauser III, and the late Paul Gudelsky.

In his relentless pursuit of musical excellence, Rik has combined favorite aspects of numerous commissioned instruments, in addition to years of designing and playing experience, to assist in developing a guitar that bridges the gap between solid body electrics and archtops, making it a winner for the jazz enthusiast and also suitable for many other styles of performance.

Superbly hand-crafted, the “Artista” features a carved top, chambered body, superb resonance, an elegant silhouette, a definitive and graceful open headstock, exotic wood appointments, and superb playability in a body that weighs less than 8 pounds.

“My collaboration with Rik Jonna has resulted in an instrument that is a true work of art!” Robert Rusch

STANDARD FEATURES:

• Chambered Honduras Mahogany Body

• Hand-Carved Maple Top

• Rear Body Chamfer

• Mahogany Neck w Long Tendon Joint - Glued-In

• 17.5 Degree Pitch Neck Angle

• 5-Ply Binding On Body, Neck & Headstock  

•  Exotic Wood Appointments 

• Open Head Stock with Sperzel Locking Tuners

• Tonepros Locking Bridge & Tailpiece

• (2) Humbucking Pickups

• 3-Way Pick-Up Toggle Switch

• 1-11/16" Nut Width

• 24.75" Scale Length (compensated)

• 14.25" Lower Bout

• 1-5/8" Body Depth

• High-Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish

 Mrs. Pat Martino & her Artista  -

 Thank you! Robert Rusch 

I have this Beautiful batch of private stock wood available - Best of the best.

In other words, I won't be buying extra wood/ PRIVATE STOCK wood  to have around, just Tone woods for my CUSTOMERS' BUILDS. 

Last In Stock /Private Stock .... "Buy it before you can buy it "  2018 Rusch Guitars Artista model - To be built and delivered Spring, 2018. My last in-stock - as I have many customers / commisions to care for and no time for instock/ private stock. . You are looking at the actual premium woods that will go into this custom creation.You pick the color, hardware, inlay, neck specs.electronics! A wonderful blank slate. An Artista is a fine combination of woods, electronics and hardware - the next evolution of the famed and fabled carved top we all know and love - with many improvement though . .Lighter weight, sexier design, better, stronger construction, faster, smoother fine tuned neck, better tone woods, electronics and  hardware than the factory stock that you know. A custom crafted Artisinal guitar With a custom fitted, rectangular Cedar Creek case! ($500 value)  (case interior and exterior options too!). Guitar, $6000 MSRP -will negotiate and provide an exact price & spec. sheet based on your selctions.  Fantastic for Rock, Blues, Jazz, country, ..familiar controls and configurations. Best part is you dress it up how you like. This is a very special batch of wood going into this instrument and the last opportunity ( THE WOOD ALONE WAS ABOUT $700) , as I have mentioned, I am too busy with my customers and commissions to build any more "Private stock / in-stock" instruments. I bought this wood for my own personal instrument special last year, the Brazilian Rosewood blank for the fret board has been curing 12 years SEASONED! The mahogany & maple, 2 years SEASONED. Well seasoned, perfect tone woods.  AAAA ONE PIECE Honduran mahogany body (can be chambered) , ONE PIECE Honduran mahogany neck - no ears!! , AAA A MINIMUM book matched flame maple top, & A beautiful slab of Brazilian Rosewood for the board. These pieces are 2 - 12 years seasoning & cut to basic shape a year ago.  YOU tell ME the specs you want, within the comfortable geometry of this lovely comfortable carved, chambered electric arch top. This is the finest wood I could find and lay my hands on. Thank you and questions welcome!