GUITARS
Building
Building Approach
The construction of each Rzepka concert classical guitar draws on a blend of art, science and instinct to achieve optimal balance, sound, and feel. My instruments are designed and built for expansive tonal range, lush volume and effortless playability. From materials selection to the final voicing, I combine hard data with my feeling for the “soul” or character of the wood. Each guitar is built to the needs of the individual player, with careful decisions made at each step in the process regarding wood choice, thickness, density and stiffness.
Classical guitar making is an ever-evolving discipline, both for the individual luthier and for the craft as a whole. Design and execution have changed dramatically over hundreds of years of guitar history. To honor the tradition is to continue to innovate while paying homage to those master luthiers that came before. In the spirit of this balance, I combine contemporary acoustic design techniques with classic aesthetics, adhesives, tone woods, and finishes.
The neck shape, fingerboard shape, frets and setup of my guitars are designed for supple, comfortable playing. Players who prefer low action find that they can play more aggressively without buzzing, and the diminished physical strain allows for greater focus on musical expression.
Materials
One of the great joys of guitar making is breathing new life into material that lived for hundreds of years in the heartwood of a tree. I’ve always loved the feeling of connection that comes from natural materials, so I tend to use ingredients found in nature for my work. From the soundboard to the decorative bindings and purflings to the final French polish, almost everything in a Rzepka guitar derives from a plant or animal.
The majority of my guitars are made with woods from the Dalbergia family: these are the "true rosewoods" treasured by guitar makers through the centuries. This genus of tropical hardwoods contains a stunning variety of color, figure and acoustic personality. From ultra-dark African blackwood, fiery cocobolo, violet camatillo, or warm chocolate Brazilian or Indian rosewood, I work together with my customers to choose the perfect set.
Sound boards are chosen from the highest quality of the master grade tone wood available globally. Each set of spruce or cedar is evaluated for stiffness, density, and acoustic efficiency before being chosen for incorporation into a guitar.
Finishes
For classical guitars, no finish can match a fine French polish. Built up by hand over thousands of micro-layers, the process leaves behind a paper-thin shellac coating that allows the tone wood to resonate fully and freely. My guitars feature French polished soundboards, backs, sides and head plates, with an oil finished neck for a satin smooth feel.
Options
Tone Woods
One of the most important variables in guitar design is the choice of materials. I currently offer a variety of wood species for the back, sides, sound board and neck, each lending its own acoustic and aesthetic character to the instrument. Whether I'm working with spruce or cedar, African blackwood or Brazilian rosewood, each part of the guitar is meticulously evaluated in service to the goal of creating a perfect whole. Some customers come to me with a specific vision and certain tone woods in mind; others come with a blank slate. Either way, I welcome participation in the process.
String Length
I offer two standard string lengths, 650mm and 640mm. For 640mm configurations, I normally slightly reduce the neck thickness, width, and string spacing to keep the ergonomics proportional. This setup makes for a very comfortable guitar for those with smaller hands or hand injuries. I can also accomodate custom string lengths between 635mm and 655mm.
Elevated Fingerboard
The elevated fingerboard feature alters the geometry of the instrument so that part of the neck extends under the fingerboard all the way up to the sound hole. This allows the player to comfortably reach difficult positions on the highest frets. The visual effect is quite subtle and for some players the difference in comfort is substantial. This design feature comes standard on all my guitars unless the customer specifies otherwise.
Sound Port
The vast majority of my guitars feature a secondary sound hole in the upper bout of the instrument. This port consists of an ovoid opening in the bass-side upper bout with an optional cover to completely or partly close it when desired. The door uses rare-earth magnets to gently stay in place when in use.
The presence of a bass-side sound port affects the sound both for the player and the audience. For the player, the guitar becomes much louder, larger and more brilliant. For the audience, a boost in higher overtones increases width, resonance and power.
Tuners
Rzepka guitars come standard with custom Gotoh Premium tuners featuring ebony knobs, matte brass plates, and black rollers. These tuners also feature roller bushings, ensuring perfectly smooth tuning action. For customers wishing to upgrade to a custom tuner, I also offer machines by Scheller, Rodgers, and Alessi. These tuners are all hand made and offer a wide range of plate designs and other stylistic choices.
Cases
Rodgers Tuner with Sterling Sliver Plate & Ebony Grips on a 2016 Rzepka
Rzepka guitars ship in a Humicase Protege case, a solid and attractive ply-constructed case offering good day-to-day protection in black exterior/dark blue interior. For players interested in a higher-end case suitable for airline baggage check or a lighter weight case, I offer upgrades in ploycarbonate and carbon fiber made by Visesnut and Crossrock. If you prefer a specific case not listed here, I can always accommodate you. Please contact me for details.
Prices & Ordering
Starting prices depend primarily on body wood species, beginning at $8,850 for Indian rosewood and $13,850 for master grade Brazilian rosewood. Most other body woods start at $9,900 range According to the customer's preferences, additional features as well as case and tuner upgrades may be added on.
Student Pricing
Serious students need serious instruments! Contact me to find out about discounts for eligible students.
How to Order
To place an order, please contact me directly. A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to reserve your order. Depending on the current waiting list, most instruments are completed within one calendar year from the order date. Payment in full is required upon completion of the instrument. In-state purchases are subject to Maine’s 5.5% sales tax.
Guitars can be shipped anywhere in the US for $100. For international shipping, please contact me.