Every luthier has a unique story, but Reuben Cox, the owner of Old Style Guitar Shop in Los Angeles, stands out with an approach as distinctive as the instruments he crafts and modifies. More than just a guitar shop, Old Style Guitar Shop is a haven for musicians seeking exceptional sound, whether it’s through a vintage find, a custom creation, or Cox’s famed rubber bridge modification. From servicing guitars for renowned artists like Jackson Browne to innovating sonic textures for Taylor Swift hits, Cox and his Los Angeles guitar shop invite musicians of all levels to explore a world of unparalleled guitar experiences.
Reuben Cox’s journey to becoming a celebrated luthier and guitar shop owner in Los Angeles is anything but conventional. His path meandered from the landscapes of North Carolina to the academic rigor of a science-focused boarding school, eventually culminating in an art degree in New York City and a career in college-level teaching. Opening a guitar shop in Los Angeles wasn’t a lifelong aspiration; in fact, the idea took root amidst a significant economic downturn. Adding to the unconventional start, Cox’s initial guitar designs were born from enlarged images from a book, blown up at a copy shop.
Inside Old Style Guitar Shop, showcasing a variety of guitars and a welcoming atmosphere for musicians in Los Angeles.
This seemingly improbable beginning perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Old Style Guitar Shop. Cox, a self-proclaimed music fanatic and guitar devotee, recognized early on that his path lay not in performance, but in the artistry of instrument making. Utilizing his artistic background and woodworking skills honed while crafting field cameras, he started building guitars as a passion project.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity for sound, an openness to experimenting with unconventional materials, and a commitment to accessible guitars, Cox has cultivated a unique reputation in Los Angeles and beyond. His shop, Old Style Guitar Shop, is not just a business; it’s a creative hub attracting a diverse clientele, from hobbyists to Grammy-winning artists. Featured in the documentary “Really Good Rejects,” Cox has become an unexpected luminary in the music community. While some musicians are drawn to his distinctive semi-hollow electric guitars, many others, including icons like Bob Dylan and Phoebe Bridgers, seek out his transformative rubber bridge modifications. From his workshop in the heart of Los Angeles, Cox shared insights into his fascinating journey in the world of guitars.
From Art Studio to Guitar Shop in Los Angeles: An Accidental Luthier’s Tale
Cox’s entry into the world of luthiery was serendipitous. While living in New York City and teaching at art schools, he nurtured a deep-seated love for music and guitars. His access to the sculpture shop at institutions like Cooper Union and Sarah Lawrence College provided the resources to explore guitar making as a hobby. He focused on crafting a specific type of hollowbody electric guitar, producing just a couple each year. Despite his passion for guitars, Cox humbly admits his own musical talents were limited, leading him to channel his enthusiasm into the craft of instrument building instead of performing.
The decision to relocate to Los Angeles and establish his guitar shop was spurred by his partner’s career move. While initially hesitant to leave his established life in New York, Cox saw the move as an opportunity for a fresh start. He envisioned opening a guitar shop, a venture born from intuition rather than meticulous planning. Setting up a woodshop in his Los Angeles home, he began building inventory, and within six months, Old Style Guitar Shop found its first retail location in Silver Lake. His approach was deliberately lean and resourceful: maintain minimal overhead and dive headfirst into the business.
Learning the Craft: Repairing and Modifying Guitars at His Los Angeles Workshop
Interestingly, Cox’s expertise in guitar repair and modification was developed on the job. His initial woodworking skills provided a foundation, but the nuances of guitar repair were learned through hands-on experience. The early years of Old Style Guitar Shop involved a steep learning curve, often relying on online tutorials and a healthy dose of on-the-job problem-solving. Through repetition and dedication, Cox honed his skills, eventually becoming a master of his craft. His dedication to even the most basic setups and repairs has contributed to his extensive experience, having worked on an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 guitars.
Inside Old Style Guitar Shop, showcasing a variety of guitars and a welcoming atmosphere for musicians in Los Angeles.
Cox’s guitar designs are rooted in his appreciation for classic aesthetics. Inspired by a picture of a 1940s Bigsby in Ralph Denyer’s “The Guitar Handbook,” he adopted the Florentine cutaway shape as a defining element of his early and ongoing guitar creations. Using a somewhat unorthodox method, he enlarged the book’s image at a copy shop to create his initial guitar template. This resourceful approach mirrors his overall philosophy of guitar building and shop ownership – blending artistry with practical ingenuity.
A Crucial Endorsement and Growing Confidence in the Los Angeles Music Scene
A pivotal moment in Cox’s journey was an early endorsement from Bryce and Aaron Dessner of The National. Before officially launching Old Style Guitar Shop in Los Angeles, Cox shared some of his handcrafted guitars with the Dessner brothers. Their decision to use these instruments on a recording project provided invaluable validation and the confidence boost Cox needed. This affirmation from respected musicians solidified his belief in his craft and propelled him to pursue his vision of opening a guitar shop.
Cox describes his guitar designs as intentionally varied, emphasizing individuality over mass production. He prioritizes keeping his creations “interesting,” experimenting with different pickups, vintage components, and unique wood sources. He expresses a preference for older woods, often reclaimed from furniture, over lumberyard wood from younger trees, citing its superior quality and workability. While his guitars share a general shape and construction style – typically hollow-bodies with book-matched tops and backs and a center block – subtle variations and custom choices ensure each instrument is unique.
The Influence of Los Angeles Musicians on Guitar Design
The vibrant music scene of Los Angeles profoundly influences Cox’s design aesthetic. Working in a city brimming with exceptional musicians has provided him with invaluable feedback and inspiration. Collaborating with artists like Jackson Browne, who demand meticulous attention to detail and sonic perfection, pushes Cox to continually refine his craft. This collaborative environment, where musicians readily offer their expertise and ears, allows Cox to experiment with new ideas and push the boundaries of guitar design. He emphasizes that this pursuit of excellence isn’t about being fussy, but about striving to create the best possible instrument.
Cox’s credibility within the Los Angeles music community grew organically through years of dedicated work and a commitment to quality. His willingness to work long hours and his consistent improvement in basic guitar setups and repairs earned him a reputation as a reliable and skilled luthier. In a city like Los Angeles, known for its thriving music scene, a new guitar shop naturally attracts attention from musicians seeking quality instruments and services. Cox humbly acknowledges that even established artists like Jackson Browne are always “looking” for new sounds and gear, and Old Style Guitar Shop has become a destination for this ongoing search.
More Than Just High-End: Serving All Musicians at Old Style Guitar Shop
Old Style Guitar Shop distinguishes itself from typical high-end guitar stores by catering to a wide spectrum of musicians. While Cox appreciates and occasionally sells high-value vintage instruments, his focus is on serving working musicians, including those with more modest budgets. He readily takes on setups and repairs for affordable guitars like Fender Squiers, services that some shops might overlook. This inclusive approach reflects his philosophy of making quality guitar services accessible to all musicians, reinforcing the shop’s reputation as a welcoming space for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals.
The story of a baritone rubber-bridged guitar exemplifies the shop’s creative atmosphere. Musician and producer Mike Viola spontaneously created a riff upon picking up a newly finished instrument at Old Style Guitar Shop, which then became the opening track on his next record. This anecdote underscores the inspiring environment Cox has cultivated, where instruments can spark immediate creativity and lead to tangible musical outcomes.
Visual Artistry and the Appeal of Guitar Aesthetics
Cox’s background as a visual artist deeply informs his approach to luthiery. He recognizes the importance of aesthetics in guitars, acknowledging that “looks matter” in the world of show business. He believes that visual appeal can enhance a guitar’s desirability and inspire musicians to pick it up and play. This understanding of the interplay between visual design and musical inspiration is a unique aspect of Old Style Guitar Shop.
Currently, Cox is focused on refining and expanding his rubber bridge modification, applying it to vintage guitars. This innovation has garnered significant attention, even reaching artists like Taylor Swift, who utilized a rubber bridge guitar on her critically acclaimed album “Folklore.”
The Rubber Bridge Revolution: A Unique Sound from a Los Angeles Guitar Innovator
The rubber bridge modification, which Cox modestly describes as “adapted” rather than invented, has become a signature element of Old Style Guitar Shop. Inspired by a muting system on a vintage banjo, Cox developed the rubber bridge to alter the tonal characteristics of acoustic guitars, particularly affordable models. This modification emerged from a specific request and Cox’s inventive problem-solving. Observing musician Blake Mills playing a banjo with a muting system sparked the idea. Cox quickly prototyped a rubber bridge guitar, and the resulting sound was immediately captivating.
Inside Old Style Guitar Shop, showcasing a variety of guitars and a welcoming atmosphere for musicians in Los Angeles.
The rubber bridge modification has gained traction purely through word-of-mouth, becoming a sought-after feature for musicians seeking unique sonic textures. Its adoption by prominent artists and its presence on successful recordings highlight its musical value. Musicians often report feeling inspired and prolific after acquiring a rubber bridge guitar, emphasizing its ability to unlock new creative avenues. For Reuben Cox, this inspirational impact on musicians is the most rewarding aspect of his vocation and his unique guitar shop in Los Angeles.
Old Style Guitar Shop, under the direction of Reuben Cox, is more than just a place to buy and repair guitars; it’s a hub of innovation, creativity, and passion for music. Located in Los Angeles, a city synonymous with musical talent and innovation, Old Style Guitar Shop offers a unique experience for anyone seeking exceptional guitars and a truly inspiring atmosphere.
