Matt Rubendall

Classical guitars handmade in Brooklyn, NY

I have been building and repairing guitars for nearly twenty years, always striving toward the ideal of craftsmanship. After many successes—and some failures—I continue to work to make each guitar better than the last, not only for the musician who will play it but also for myself, always looking to meet a higher standard.

Though my approach combines modern and traditional elements of guitar construction, I rely on hand tools and traditional methods whenever possible, even when it lengthens the process. My standard model loosely recalls the body style of a Herman Hauser I. I use elevated fretboards for playing comfort and stability, and compensated nuts and saddles to keep my instruments playing perfectly in tune. I handcraft the rosettes and decorative details that are unique to each guitar, and finish every instrument with the French polish technique.

The overall sound quality I’m looking to achieve is based on balance. I want to have a piano like openness with a consistent note quality between each string. I’m more concerned with the musicality of the notes rather than building merely for loudness for its own sake. Using these tools along with a personalized approach to wood choices and playing style I can achieve a wide tonal palette while maintaining my own sound.

• extracted from Matt Rubendall’s website

I can tell you first and foremost that Matt is a wonderful man, quietly talented and most knowledgeable.  His guitars speak for themselves.  Voices like angels and power that resonates in the body.  His workmanship is exemplary.

I took a day to visit with Matt in October of 2021.  His workshop is a simple wonder of nostalgia and tools, highlighting his straightforward attitude toward the art of the build, the art of lutherie.  His meticulous nature, demanding of the best, lead him to be one of our foremost luthiers, as well as a superb setup and repair man that can be depended upon to yield superior results.  I took a few shots of his shop, which you can see below.

Matt Rubendall in his shop

Please contact Rich at: sales@savageclassical.com to inquire about Matthew’s Classical Guitar Inventory with us here at Savage Classical Guitar

My current inventory of Matthew Rubendall guitars can be viewed here

Classical Guitars of Matt Rubendall presently available at

Savage Classical Guitar

		2012 Matt Rubendall Port Orford EIRW