Meet Ronald E. (Ronnie) Weems of OutOfTheWoodsWorkshop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronald E. (Ronnie) Weems.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ronald E. (Ronnie). So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hello! I’m Ronnie Weems. I created OutOfTheWoodsWorkshop where I carefully craft handmade guitars. These specialty guitars have been coming “OutOfTheWoods” for about 10 years.

History? I built houses and played bass my whole life. Suddenly… the two just came together, and I found myself building guitars! Some call me a Renaissance Man: Besides being a Luthier, I’m an organic farmer, an inventor, a joke-teller, and a grandfather of 2 great boys. I also make a mean jar of Chow Chow with a family recipe handed down through generations. When customers come to the “Workshop” to try out the guitars, I treat them with a jar of Chow Chow and a cold Shiner Bock! Visitors are always welcome, and I’m usually home (in my shop) making guitars.

The guitars I make are unique, both electric and acoustic. I help each client create their own design for their custom guitar. They choose from a selection of Weems Guitars on hand or choose wood, design, and electronics, etc, to design their own. To see examples of the guitars, including featured guitars as they come “OutOfTheWoods” (making their debut!) on Facebook.

The electric guitars are one piece of hand carved wood through the neck (my own invention). I’ve enjoyed making these from special woods brought in by clients, and from wood that I’ve found to be interesting. One of my specialties is using Texas red cedar. It has a beautiful grain, sounds amazing, and helps recycle cedar trees from our area. (I literally cut down each tree and take it to the sawmill.) With my support, clients are encouraged to choose their own electronics and they build the plans for their guitars. I build both electric guitars and basses, left and right-handed. (I can’t keep left-handed guitars in stock because people purchase them as soon as I finish them!)

My most interesting pair of basses was built from wood brought in from the Allen Family home place by one of the grandsons. What better way to commemorate a special family home than to turn the big ole rafters into two unique Weems bass guitars?!?!

The acoustic guitars each have a truly unique sound. I’ve made these from a variety of wood including the Texas red cedar. One of the most interesting woods (some of the BEST sounding guitars) are made from redwood salvaged from the Best Made Pickle Factory in Ft. Worth when it closed mid-century. I call those “Pickle Wood Guitars.” Just sold one I called “Sweet Pickle” (because of its sweet sound.) Yes, each has a name and a history, that you can hear all about when you come to play your guitar!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
People seem to have taken to the Weems guitars pretty well! This is not a big operation: one guitar at a time, with people on waiting lists for custom instruments. So, things are going pretty smoothly. I’d like more of my guitars to get into the hands of people who would enjoy playing them, so I guess a little publicity won’t hurt.

Struggles? I struggle and love the struggle with each and every instrument. It’s very exciting to put the strings on finally and hear the instrument “sing” for the first time! Each has such a unique voice!

OutOfTheWoodsWorkshop (Weems Guitars & Other Stringed Instruments) – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Weems Guitars are unique. Each ONE is unique and different from anything you can get in the current market. The rustic look The beautiful, long-ringing sound… well you’ll just have to hear for yourself! I specialize in happiness. I absolutely love watching a person light up when they play one of my guitars!

I guess I’m most proud that I’ve taught myself how to make these instruments that bring happiness to so many. Besides, there’s a lifetime guarantee on each guitar! MY lifetime (LOL)! Actually, I’m happy to make “tune-ups” to any of my guitars as needed. One of my Texas red cedar guitars in currently in Romania and the climate was a bit different, so we did a “tune-up” (neck adjustments) long distance until the owner was happy.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It’s always a proud moment to go hear an artist playing one of my instruments on stage, but I’d have to say when a client called back to say that out of his 3 guitars (a Taylor, another handmade guitar, and the Weems) he said that the Weems Guitar had the best sound and was his choice to play of the three.
Made my day.

Pricing:

• Acoustic guitars starting at $500.00
• Electric guitars starting at $800.00
• Ukeleles starting at $200.00

Contact Info:

• Address: 3829 West Line Road
  Whitesboro, TX 76273
• Phone: 903-821-7983 (Cell)
  903-564-6873 (Shop)

Image Credit:
Cathy Weems

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.