Anaheim - It is once again time for musicians, luthiers, and music companies of all sorts to gather for what has been known as the biggest music trade show of the year. Now that the pandemic seems to be well behind us thousands gathered at the Ahaheim Convention Center to get a peek at what gear will be up for grabs in the upcoming months.
One luthier that we have always wanted to interview is Jens Ritter of Ritter Instruments, and this year we got our chance. Though not all of the instruments built for NAMM 2023 were on display due to issues in transport it was an impressive showing as it generally is when Ritter has instruments to display.
The sole instrument on display was the aptly named "Green Flora" which is a one-piece Poplar Burl bodied guitar with solid 18k gold hardware and inlays. "It's a limited edition of six pieces," Ritter told us. "We got lucky that we had the possibility to buy six, one-piece blocks of this poplar burl."
The "Green Flora" is a magnificent design that has the body structure of the "Princess Isabella" guitar that Ritter has become known for. Constantly finding a way to take a design into a new direction has made Ritter a luthier to be on the lookout for as his instruments never fail to catch the eye.
When it comes to his inspiration Ritter tells us that it can strike anywhere. "It can be in the shower, driving, in the sleep, when I, I don't know, I'm not searching for inspiration, it just happens.
With a large collection of ideas stored in his desk and computer Ritter tells us that it is very hard to decide what to build next. Only producing 120 instruments a year at his shop in Germany, each piece is truly a limited edition.
Having designed basses for many musicians all over the world it, it is easy to be impressed at his list of clients. One that particularly interested us was Prince.
Ever a fan of the "Purple One" we had been searching over the years for more information on the instrument Prince purchased from Ritter. There was not a lot to be found aside from a few photos on Ritters website.
Ritter however, was able to shed some light on that for us as we were told that Prince ordered a "Roya" bass that was configured upside down. Looking at the musician with the bass, one can truly say that Ritter made an instrument fit for "his royal badness."
As impressive as it is to make a bass for such a legendary musician, it did not come without an interesting story. Ritter told us that in exchange for a photo with the musician and the bass, he would offer a discount on the instrument, in typical Prince fashion, the artist turned the offer down.
We were surprised to learn however that this was not the last instrument he was working on for Prince. To hear more on that watch our video interview with the master luthier below.
It is easy to go on about the beauty of these instruments. In fact one could go on for days just looking through images of these guitars and basses and not lose interest.
That being said, the sound and playability of the instruments is just as stunning as the appearance. Having played a few Ritter basses when living in Austin, TX at the now closed Bass Emporium.
12thFret can tell you from first hand experience that these instruments have a feel and sound all their own. The instruments sit comfortably and the finish feels, almost liquid.
The sound ranges from smooth and fat to tight and punchy just from the approach the player takes with their technique. One that that I found especially interesting about the instruments is that no matter which I played, they were comfortable.
12thFret tried out both a Roya and a Raptor back in Texas and though they are not the normal Fender, Gibson, Aria shapes we are accustomed to, they in now way shape or form felt uncomfortable.
Aram Bedrosian, famed soloist, instructor, and resident bass faculty member at Johnson State College is a known user of two Ritter basses in both his session work and solo projects. Bedrosian tells us, "Both my Ritter basses sing melodies in a way that I've never heard anywhere else."
Noting Ritters attention to detail Bedrosian continued, "Jens puts so much imagination and soul into each of his instruments that they almost feel alive; supernaturally magnificent."
"Alive" is definitely something 12thFret would call an accurate description.
Bedrosian has enjoyed co-billings with famed guitarists Buckethead and Joe Bonamassa, but notes that "my music would not sound how it does without them" referring to his pair of Ritter basses.
In addition to the beautiful wood and gold accents of the bass. Ritter also using an in house pickup he calls his "Fat Bucker" which is a single humbucking neck pickup that is made from rare earth as opposed to magnets.
Could this also contribute to the unique sound of a Ritter? In truth, we believe that each of these wonderful instruments has a character and soul of it's own that Ritter pulls out through his artistic design.
In regards to his awe inspiring creations it is not only this reporter or the millions of gear heads out there that have taken notice of the exceptional work of this luthier. Three major museums in the United States are now home to some of Ritters instruments.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian and the Boston Museum of Fine Art now house Ritter instruments as works of art. "This was a very new feeling I got...." Ritter told us.
"This was highly strange because, first I was like, wait a second. I made this great bass, it's sounding great and now it's behind glass right, and nobodies playing it so I was, it was strange for me.
However, Ritters doubts were put to rest when the museums director told him that the instrument would be played in the future. "This is a wonderful feeling, because this is actually what I want to give to the world, this wonderful want of musicians. This wonderful tool of releasing as a human being, our feelings, and communicating our feelings."
Ritter Instruments, creative instruments for releasing creativity. Perhaps that is the best way to sum up these guitars and basses.
To hear more from the luthier and hear more detailed stories about the information contained in this article, please watch our full interview below.
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