'My idea has been from the very beginning to offer top quality tools for even the most demanding guitar players - a handmade instrument, that would rival the best... not a very humble goal, I admit. I know there is no way to learn to be a good craftsman by reading books or watching others do it - you have to dig in as deep as you can, to let your hands have the time to learn the tricks... I've come along for a few years now - from repairing guitars at the late '80s to studying guitar building under guidance of the finest Finnish luthiers in the early '90s - then forming a company and building guitars alone in my 35 square meter workshop since 1995 - to having the manufacturing spread to two towns and workshops, one in Paimio (near Turku, Finland), for major woodwork and lacquering, and another - The Headquarters - in Hyvinkaa (near Helsinki, Finland) for the finishing, electronics, assembly and set-up. There is now a handful of highly skilled craftsmen beside me, and together we build better guitars than ever. I hope you enjoy your stay at this page to catch in some of the feelings our little 'workshop tour' has to offer...' - Juha Ruokanga

www.ruokangas.com