Robert Ruck (born 1945) has been building guitars full-time since 1965, and has become widely recognized as one of the great American builders. Among the great guitarists playing Ruck guitars is Manuel Barrueco. This guitar is number 199 in Ruck's obra. According to a letter from Ruck, this concert classical guitar was modeled on one he made for Juan Mercadal. The same letter describes it as a concert guitar with a European top, rosewood from Brazil back and sides, Honduras Mahogany neck, and fingerboard of Indian ebony. He also says "I am no longer taking new orders. My order list is 300 orders long. I build 25-30 guitars a year. The owner describes this guitar as being in perfect shape.