Luthier
G.R. Bear
- Luthier
- Rye Bear
- Location
- Vancouver
- Founded
- 2014
At 15 Rye apprenticed with master classical guitar builder Graham Caldersmith.
During the seven year apprenticeship under Graham he learned the fundamental ways in which to achieve physical aspects of the guitars sound, balance from bass to treble, clarity, sustain, projection and power that holds very evenly as you play up the neck. Rye now crafts only a handful of unique custom guitars per year, utilizing modern bracing techniques, acoustic resonance tuning, meticulous engineering and a clean defined aesthetic.

“There is always room for improvement, discovery, evolution and I feel pretty lucky to be able to do this as my career.”
Rye utilizes Australian native timbers such as Blackwood, Gidgee, Mulga, Desert Leopard Wood and Brigalow for their unique aesthetic, amazing mechanical properties and one of a kind tonal character. Every aspect of the Instruments Rye builds is tailored to creating a guitar with an open, full and rich acoustic palette that is inspiring for the musician.
I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at The North American Guitar. They've given me great creative freedom to build instruments that I'm genuinely excited about, let me push the boundaries acoustically, experiment with design and let me take my instruments to the next level. I'm extremely pleased to be working alongside them
The Guitars
Models
Standard specifications
- Top
- Sitka, Engelmann Spruce or Western Red Cedar
- Back & Sides
- Mahogany, Wenge, Padauk or Indian Rosewood
- Binding
- Rocklite, Rosewood or Australian Blackwood
- Rosette
- Burl or Wood Ring
- Bridge
- Natural or stained Padauk
- Fingerboard
- Macassar Ebony
- Neck
- Honduras Mahogany
- Headstock
- Solid
- Headstock Face
- Burl, Ebony or matching b&s
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510's
- Nut Width
- Custom
- Frets to body
- Custom
- Purfling
- B/W/B
- Finish
- High Gloss or Matte UV Poly
- Case
- Deluxe Hardcase
Standard specifications
- Top
- Sitka, Engelmann Spruce or Western Red Cedar
- Back & Sides
- Mahogany, Wenge, Padauk or Indian Rosewood
- Binding
- Rocklite, Rosewood or Australian Blackwood
- Rosette
- Burl or Wood Ring
- Bridge
- Natural or stained Padauk
- Fingerboard
- Macassar Ebony
- Neck
- Honduras Mahogany
- Headstock
- Solid
- Headstock Face
- Burl, Ebony or matching b&s
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510's
- Nut Width
- Custom
- Frets to body
- Custom
- Purfling
- B/W/B
- Finish
- High Gloss or Matte UV Poly
- Case
- Deluxe Hardcase
Standard specifications
- Top
- Sitka, Engelmann Spruce or Western Red Cedar
- Back & Sides
- Mahogany, Wenge, Padauk or Indian Rosewood
- Binding
- Rocklite, Rosewood or Australian Blackwood
- Rosette
- Burl or Wood Ring
- Bridge
- Natural or stained Padauk
- Fingerboard
- Macassar Ebony
- Neck
- Honduras Mahogany
- Headstock
- Solid
- Headstock Face
- Burl, Ebony or matching b&s
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510's
- Nut Width
- Custom
- Frets to body
- Custom
- Purfling
- B/W/B
- Finish
- High Gloss or Matte UV Poly
- Case
- Deluxe Hardcase
Standard specifications
- Top
- Sitka, Engelmann Spruce or Western Red Cedar
- Back & Sides
- Mahogany, Wenge, Padauk or Indian Rosewood
- Binding
- Rocklite, Rosewood or Australian Blackwood
- Rosette
- Burl or Wood Ring
- Bridge
- Natural or stained Padauk
- Fingerboard
- Macassar Ebony
- Neck
- Honduras Mahogany
- Headstock
- Solid
- Headstock Face
- Burl, Ebony or matching b&s
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510's
- Nut Width
- Custom
- Frets to body
- Custom
- Purfling
- B/W/B
- Finish
- High Gloss or Matte UV Poly
- Case
- Deluxe Hardcase