Weekly Wednesday Q&A with Juha Ruokangas

Ok… Are you ready for it? The time has finally come to reveal the big news I’ve been holding back for far too long! With 2025 marking the 30th anniversary of Ruokangas Guitars, we’ve poured our passion into something new throughout 2024 - something we believe will spark your creativity and inspire you to shape your tone to new heights!

Join the YouTube live stream tomorrow, on February 5th, to be among the first to hear the good news… and some more good news! 

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y4f6z7

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1pbgUzEKLMqaXDALXcT7ZHGl7QpxVyeF

Wrapping up the year 2024 and wishing you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025. On this video I'll share with you some of my thoughts on the past year, reflecting on changes in our shop and what the future might bring. I hope you enjoy the podcast. This is not a live stream like the Weekly Wednesday broadcasts typically are.

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y4f6z7

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1pbgUzEKLMqaXDALXcT7ZHGl7QpxVyeF

Cremona is known for its history as the center of classical musical instrument making - the home of Amati, Rugeri, Stradivari, Guarneri, and many more. So, why are we exhibiting our electric guitars in such a place? Isn’t this an odd fit? Join the Weekly Wednesday Live, Episode 61, to find out the answer to this question and more!

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y4f6z7

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1pbgUzEKLMqaXDALXcT7ZHGl7QpxVyeF

We've had the tube-powered Valvebucker pickup for some years now. We've integrated it into our existing guitar and bass models, successfully inspiring players with its unique sound. But the exploration doesn't end there, does it? One path forward is to design an instrument specifically with the Valvebucker in mind. In this episode, I will reveal to you the result of one such path we've explored!

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Today, we’re going to explore an interesting parallel between two eras that have shaped, and are shaping, our world: the Industrial Revolution and the rise of AI. This isn’t just a history lesson - it’s about understanding what’s happening right now and where we might be headed.

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

A comeback stream after a year and a half hibernation? Well, that might be an overstatement, but I've been missing you people too much - I hope there's still some viewers and listeners left after all this time! This episode is simply about answering questions I've gotten from you over time. Have to admit I'm a bit nervous not having done this in a long time - wish me luck!

The two links I mentioned during the live stream:
X-Lok in Instagram:   / xlokguitar 
Nick Cave / Red Hand Files:
https://www.theredhandfiles.com

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

First I turned down the idea of making a nylon-stringed electric guitar - but eventually I changed my mind. Why? You have to watch this stream to find out. :)

I'd like to dedicate my last Weekly Wednesday Live broadcast for this year to all You out there, who work hard in the field of making music - composing, recording & gigging - in order to bring joy, consolation and a feel of unity to people's lives. It is so very important, and often understated, in these challenging times.

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Why is ebony so highly valued in the world of musical instruments? Let's discuss about tradition and sustainability - and how those two concepts conflict in the case of ebony.

Historically, ebony - this mythically exquisite wood from the dry and intermediate zones in Western Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Southern India and Indonesia - was available only to master craftsmen because of the nature of the material and its great expense. The use of it has a long history of use in cabinetwork, decorative items, crucifixes – and in a wide array of musical instruments.

In this episode of my (Weekly) Wednesday Live I'll tell how this story I heard from Bob Taylor years ago changed my thinking - and how it will change your thinking too.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/ebonypr...

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch my Weekly Wednesday streams? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

What is ear training about? Active listening? Biomechanical method of teaching guitar..!!? Half a year ago I had no idea - but thanks to Ruben Roeh we'll all know a lot more after watching this interview!

Ruben is a hard working musician and guitar teacher based in Hamburg, Germany. Most of you who follow us most likely have come across demos or other content involving Ruben's input. Yes, we're good friends and work together - would be fair to say that Ruben has become also one of our main test pilots for the Valvebucker invention early on. This interview focuses however more to Ruben's work as a guitarist and guitar teacher. We'll also talk a little about the freshly released album 'Trapezia' by Cosmic Latte!

Buy/stream the Cosmic Latte album 'Trapezia':
https://save-it.cc/baristasfromspace/...

Cosmic Latte 'Title Track' video:
https://youtu.be/NGPNGQ6A2Ls

Cosmic Latte social media:
https://instagram.com/baristasfromspace
https://facebook.com/baristasfromspace

Cosmic Latte on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BaristasFro...

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch more my Weekly Wednesday streams on YouTube? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha

Both Jussi and I grew up in Rovaniemi, a little town smacked right on the Arctic circle, next to Santa's workshop. While I remained in Finland and learned over the years to make a lot of sawdust, Jussi's path took him to Amman, Dar es Salaam, Muscat, Beirut, Helsinki, and eventually to Boston and New York where he continued building his career as a musician, recently relocating to Amsterdam. But that's just a scratch on the surface! In this episode of the Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A, Jussi and I will discuss his journey, entwining into a fascinating transcultural musical rollercoaster ride – and his new album – named Three Seconds | Kolme Toista.

Jussi Reijonen website:
https://www.jussireijonen.com

Watch/Listen to the first single release 'The Veil':
https://youtu.be/Z0dPkglP1ww

Three Seconds | Kolme Toista trailer:
https://youtu.be/shmZt37mFcM

Sign up to my newsletter here!
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

P.S. Wanna watch more my Weekly Wednesday streams on YouTube? Here's the playlist to all them, featured in chronological order: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

This broadcast is targeted to all of you who enjoy guitars and basses, be it players, enthusiasts or collectors alike! The program is not about the guitars we make in my company Ruokangas Guitars. I'm doing this for you, who are interested in learning more about your instrument. The brand or monetary value of your guitar makes no difference whatsoever.

This podcast was originally published as a live stream on YouTube,  and the imagery of the original video is obviously missing from this audio-only version. Tune in on YouTube and search Weekly Wednesday Live Q&A with Juha, and you'll find the originals!

Talk to you soon,
Juha