Welcome to the James Trussart Information page here on VintageandRare .

Here you will find information about James Trussart and his Legendary Guitars.

James Trussart is one of the few builders who has broken the mold of traditional guitar making. Working with steel as the primary material, he produces guitars that are as unique in appearance as they are in tone.

Trussart is a musician-turned-luthier. The Parisian native began his career as a fiddler, accompanying Cajun singer-songwriter Zachary Richard in the late ’70s, before turning his attention to crafting violins and later guitars in 1980. From his current So-Cal home workshop (where he’s resided since 2000), Trussart crafts custom steel-bodied guitars, basses and violins in a dazzling array of finishes, reminiscent of shiny chrome resonator instruments and rusty, weathered or fossilized discarded machinery. And the tone is so distinctive that Trussart guitars have become ‘must-have’ instruments in the arsenals of influential artists including Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Joe Walsh, Jack White, Charlie Sexton, Daniel Lanois, Marc Ribot, Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow), Rich Robinson (Black Crowes), Sonny Landreth, Joe Perry, Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, The Roots and many, many more.

“I've always like the look and feel of old guitars, believing them to have a life beyond that of their creator," says Trussart. “And I wanted to somehow emulate that effect of age and history on my own guitars. I wanted to make a guitar that came with a history and a slight element of neglect, of decay, so it had a personality of its own.”

Trussart’s creations are designed to have the look and feel of a vintage instrument with the added appeal of a metal construction. His "Rust-o-matic" technique (a term coined by Billy Gibbons regarding Trussart’s unique finishes) involves leaving the guitar body exposed to the elements for several weeks, allowing it to corrode before treating it to stop the corrosion. He then sands it to replicate years of distress, and then finishes it with a clear satin coat.

Many of the Trussart models features patterns either engraved or literally imprinted into the metal bodies or on the pickguard or headstock. Engraved skulls, roses and tribal art are some of the more common themes, while others feature textures of alligator skin or plant materials. He literally ‘sandwiches’ the metal with the alligator skin and lets it sit in water for several days.

Various pickup options are offered, but standard fare is Arcane Inc. Custom pickups that are built specifically for the Trussart guitars and Basses. Neck options offered are the classic radius and shape guaranteed to fit the most demanding players needs.

And the sound? Former Guitar Player magazine editor and guitarist Joe Gore (Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Tracy Chapman) summed the distinguishing tone of Trussart’s Steelcaster with the following rave:

“I literally believe this guitar makes me play better. I love the combination of ultra-articulate attack and full-bodied sustain. It’s almost as if one is playing through a high-quality compressor, only without sacrificing a shred of transient impact. The subtle metallic resonance—that extra midrange peachiness—telegraphs articulation details. I play predominantly with my bare fingers, and I've never before encounter an electric guitar that communicates the texture of skin, nail, and combinations thereof with such breathtaking immediacy. I also find myself better able to ‘shape’ notes. I think that’s dueto: a combination of the guitar’s innate sustain, the perfect fretwork, the way subtle neck bends complement finger vibrato, and the gratifying ‘feedback loop’ created when the metal body hums against your chest.”

What People are saying about Trussart Guitars

 

“Just a note to let you know we’re thrashin’ them blues on the FINE JAMES TRUSSART silver 6-string.  It’s funky.  The tone is the thing…and this instrument has got some tone.”

Billy F Gibbons & ZZ TOP

 

 

 

“Out of all the guitars there are to choose from these days I think James has created a guitar that's unique in style and performance, I don't think people realize just how well these guitars are made, after you get passed the looks there is a guitar that is a joy to play, it offers a new sound to add to your bag, there's Gibson, Fender and Trussart.”

Marc Ford

 

 

“I literally believe this guitar makes me play better. I love the combination of ultra-articulate attack and full-bodied sustain. It’s almost as if one is playing through a high-quality compressor, only without sacrificing a shred of transient impact. The subtle metallic resonance—that extra midrange peachiness—telegraphs articulation details. I play predominantly with my bare fingers, and I've never before encounter an electric guitar that communicates the texture of skin, nail, and combinations thereof with such breathtaking immediacy. I also find myself better able to ‘shape’ notes. I think that’s dueto: a combination of the guitar’s innate sustain, the perfect fretwork, the way subtle neck bends complement finger vibrato, and the gratifying ‘feedback loop’ created when the metal body hums against your chest."

Joe Gore (Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Tracy Chapman)

 

 

"man, i am still so in love with that guitar, i can't even tell you. it's absolutely my favorite.
I just co-wrote the score to the new peter jackson film with eno, and that guitar is all over it - it has the most beautiful sound."

Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, Ed Hartcourt, Bryan Ferry, The Ministry of sound, Marianne Faithfull/Nick Cave)

 

 

 

“The only guitar with more Mojo and more sustain than a 50’s Les Paul”

Danny B. Harvey
Head Cat and Lonesome Spurs

 

 

 

 

“The spank and fidelity of my Steeltop with
TV Jones pick-ups is like no other guitar I've owned. This guitar is a keeper for life.  James' guitars are truly works of art...No two are exactly alike. So when you get one, it's "your voice" and no one can touch it. “

Peter Stroud

 

 

“With country, blues, classic rock, and alternative artists all singing the praises of these exceptional instruments, combined with the fact that only about 300 instruments are produced each year, the value, collectibility and pedigree of the Trussart brand will certainly endure.”

The Robb Report December 2007

 

 

"Hey James, that chrome TSteelcaster I play with Morrissey is a great looker and a great player.
Many thanks."

Boz Boorer (Morrissey)

 

 

 

 

"I also have three guitars made by James Trussart, a great French guitar
builder out of Los Angeles. I discovered one of his Steeltops in Chicago
last year when I was there with Ringo. I never buy new guitars, but I had to have this one. I went to see him out in LA, and we designed another one, which is basically a strat in a Les Paul style body. Then he came up with the Snakeskin Steelphonic, and that was another 'must-have.'
There's a lot of soul in these instruments."

Billy Squier