Difiance guitars are handmade, one of a kind, quality instruments built with over twenty
years of guitar repair, guitar building, guitar playing and guitar electronics experience.
Our goal is to build the most versatile and best playing handmade instrument you can find.
We are also environmentally conscience by using domestic, North American hardwoods
for the necks and bodies, from local sawmills and limiting the exotic materials to only the
fingerboards. However, we are open to building a custom instrument out of whatever material
you wish. Our flagship model is the Seraph, however, other shapes, basses and acoustics are
also available to be built upon request. Prices may vary. Lightweight versions also available.
Our Staff:
Rob Ristow: Luthier
After abandoning playing drums, since the age of three, and picking up the guitar at 15,
Rob, always the tinkerer, quickly realized that the electric guitar was not much more than
wood with some parts and electronics and could be easily duplicated. His interest in woodworking,
having previously taken all of the classes that were offered in high school, plus having a carpenter
for a father, knew that he had the tools and skills to make one himself. This led him to Red Wing Tech's,
stringed instrument repair course that furthered his education in guitar building. After graduating
on the President's list at Red Wing, he was offered an apprenticing job with the late Roger Benedict
of Benedict Guitars in Minneapolis. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, he had to turn him down,
but still kept making the occasional guitar while playing continuously in a local band. After an
auto accident in '96, which cut down his live guitar playing, Rob turned to his other love, making guitars.
After more experimentation and refinements, the Seraph was complete, yet it continues to be tweaked
if a new idea emerges.
Jim Trouten: Public Relations/Apprentice