James Trussart

Also known as: James Trussart Custom Guitars, Trussart, Trussart Guitars

James Trussart Custom Guitars is a Los Angeles–based luthier shop founded by French-born musician and instrument maker James Trussart. A fiddler who accompanied Cajun artist Zachary Richard in the early 1970s, Trussart turned to building violins before shifting to guitars in the 1980s, eventually relocating from France to Los Angeles around 2000, where he builds his instruments by hand.

The sh...

13 Products · Used by 25 Artists

James Trussart Steel-O-Matic Solid Body Electric Guitars

$6,700.00

1 available store

1 artist using

James Trussart Steelcaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars

5.0 (1)

9 artists using

James Trussart Steelcaster Deluxe Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

5.0 (3)

5 artists using

James Trussart Steelmaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars

5 artists using

James Trussart Steelcaster Bass Electric Basses

3 artists using

James Trussart Sinegal Steel Top Solid Body Electric Guitars

3 artists using

James Trussart Steel devile No 11 Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

James Trussart Steel Deville 1990 Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

James Trussart Steel Deville Gator Engraved w/Bigsby Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

James Trussart Steel-O-Matic Richard Fortus Model Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

James Trussart Rust O Matic Pinstripe Holey SteelCaster Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

James Trussart Steelphonic Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

James Trussart ST12 Solid Body Electric Guitars

1 artist using

The shop is best known for its hollow steel-bodied electric guitars and basses, often finished with weathered, rusted, or engraved metal surfaces — a look Billy Gibbons reportedly dubbed "Rust-O-Matic." The core lineup is built around Tele- and Jazzmaster-inspired shapes including the Steelcaster, Deluxe Steelcaster, SteelDeville, Steelphonic, SteelTopCaster, Steeltelemaster, SteelMaster, SteelJag, Steelreso, and Baritone, with bass versions such as the Steelcaster Bass and SteelTop Bass. Custom neck woods, fingerboards, engravings, pickups, and finishes are offered across the range.

Trussart instruments have developed a reputation in blues, rock, and roots-music circles for their distinctive metallic resonance and visual patina. Players associated with the brand include Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Joe Walsh, Jack White, Tom Morello, and Billy Corgan, among others.

James Trussart has 13 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars, and Electric Basses. Their gear is featured by 25 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Eric Clapton, Hans Zimmer, and Rich Robinson.