micah Bruce, Luthier
I love building and repairing things. From my earliest childhood memories I have always been building things and discovering how things work. Craftsmanship is in my bones. So I like to say that I was made to make things.
Expressing my passion for fine craftsmanship through luthiery is a double joy. Not only am I privileged to work on beautiful instruments, but these instruments are creations that create; they perpetually produce music and serve to inspire other artists. Music is the universal language, and I am privileged to participate in the conversation by helping you connect with your instruments in order to find (or clarify) your voice.
Continuing in the rich heritage of lutherie, I strive to do the kind of work that is lasting and worthwhile. The kind of work that honors the past, and the kind of work that will inspire future generations. I originally called my company “ Bruce & Sons “ with this lineage concept in mind, but in 2022 I made the switch to be simply called “ Bruce Guitars “.
Style
Have you ever been asked the question “oh, you’re a musician, what kind of music do you play?” ? When I try to put my finger on what is distinctive about my instruments - it feels a lot like that; it is hard to pin down. I have built so many different kinds of instruments over the years, and the most simple thread of continuity throughout my portfolio of work is me. Through the variety of bespoke projects and custom builds over the years, I have continued to grow and develop over time. While I hope to never stop learning and pursuing greater excellence — I feel as though I have finally settled into my own voice and style.
I love making my clients’ dream instrument become a reality, even when this pushes me out of my comfort zone. I also love making my own ideas and designs come to fruition. I love building very close replica/copies of beloved vintage guitars — but I also get a lot of joy exploring new ideas and designs. I don’t want to pursue novelty for the sake of being novel, though. One of my shorthand phrases I like to use as a builder/designer is “Modern design without abandoning vintage sensibilities”.
To borrow from the music analogy again, building ‘copy’ guitars is like playing a cover song. A really good song is pretty easy to play as a cover song… but the most compelling artists will perform a cover tune by giving it a new dimension, yet without corrupting what makes the song so great to begin with. I try to pursue building the classics like that.
philosophy
There is great value in honoring traditional materials and methods, though not for tradition’s sake alone. For instance, all of my acoustic instruments employ hot hide glue construction and are finished with shellac, varnish, or nitrocellulose lacquer — but I also use a CNC machine in producing parts, I build my necks with carbon fiber + truss rods, and I do not always incorporate traditional dovetail neck joints.
I’ve done hundreds of dovetail neck resets, and while there are pretty reliable methods for safe neck removal; they are still intrinsically destructive and traumatic. I prefer a modified mortise-and-tenon neck joint on flat top guitars because it lends itself to safer future adjustments and repairs. I also feel that the tonal quality of a well executed modern neck joint is at least as good as a dovetail joint. Some old materials and methods are superior, while some perhaps are obsolete.
experience
2017-Present independent luthier, Bruce Guitars, Omaha, NE
2014-2017 head of production, Moniker Guitars, Austin, TX
2011-2014 guitar repair technician and luthier, John Allison, Austin, TX
2010-2012 guitar, mandolin, and ukulele luthier , Bill Collings, Austin, TX
2008-2009 guitar & violin repair technician, Dietze Music, Omaha, NE
2004-2009 cabinetry & trim carpentry, Omaha, NE
I have been working professionally with guitars since 2008 (and with wood since 2004), repairing instruments and building new. I have worked for companies like Dietze Music, Bill Collings, John Allison, and Moniker Guitars. After 8 years in Austin, TX; in 2017 my wife, two daughters, and I moved back to Omaha, NE. And in 2020 we added 2 new baby twin girls to our family! Life is very full, and I am grateful to be able to make a living doing what I love. Thank you for trusting me to work on your instruments and believing in the instruments I make.