Jens Ritter is a visionary luthier at the forefront of 21st-century bass design, renowned for transforming instruments into stunning works of functional art. Working from a former winery in Deidesheim, Germany, he blends cutting-edge innovation with opulent craftsmanship, creating bass guitars that are as visually breathtaking as they are sonically powerful.
He believes that creating a real electric guitar for artificial intelligence (“AI”) does not make sense, because AI—being just code and algorithms—lacks the soul, emotion, and personal connection that define true musical artistry. For him, a guitar is far more than a tool; it’s a deeply personal extension of the musician’s soul, a vessel for emotional expression that grows in intimacy over time.
Ritter acknowledges that AI can technically produce music or control a robot to play guitar-like sounds, but this lacks the spontaneity, vulnerability and emotional depth of human expression. In his view, AI can create musical “craft,” but not true “art.” Art, to him, is rooted in human intuition, life experience, and emotional journeys—elements no machine can replicate. A robot might mimic patterns, but it cannot feel or convey the emotional resonance that makes music meaningful.
Ultimately, he draws a clear line between mechanical imitation and authentic human creativity, arguing that the soul of music belongs exclusively to people—not to machines. We speak to Jens on his latest reflections his latest exhibition at 1880 in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Popspoken: Your ‘Sleeping Beauties’ exhibition features electric guitars sealed for a 100-year sleep. What inspired you to create these deactivated instruments, and what do you hope future generations will feel when they awaken them?
My art project, ‘The Sleeping Beauties,’ is about the risks AI brings to creativity, especially in music, which is such a personal form of human expression. Music isn’t just notes and rhythms; it’s a way we share our deepest emotions, experiences, and cultural stories.
In this project, I’m exploring the dangers AI could have on this kind of human expression and cultural growth. By taking fully functional, handmade electric guitar master pieces — artworks by themselves — and making them inoperable for 100 years, I want people to stop and think about what we might lose if AI takes over too much of our creative processes.
Each Sleeping Beauty is more than just a guitar that doesn’t play; it’s a message for future generations to remember how important real music is as a form of human creativity. In my work, electric guitars stand for pure, human creativity, just like all musical instruments have done throughout history, from ancient flutes to modern turntables. With ‘The Sleeping Beauties,’ I hope to spark conversations about what true creativity really is and how important human emotions are in making art that defines who we are.
Popspoken: Your work has captivated artists like Prince and Lady Gaga, yet you’ve chosen to silence these guitars for a century. How do you reconcile the contrast between creating for legends and preserving your art in silence?
My instruments are collected by major museums like for example the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the MET in New York City, as well as by art collectors and music lovers who are passionate about electric guitar culture and its history. Interestingly, many of my customers can’t even play the guitar.
When I first visited the MET in New York, I was really proud to see my instrument exhibited alongside Stradivari violins and other timeless masterpieces. But I also felt a bit uneasy knowing that this instrument would stay silent and never be played again. When I shared this thought with the museum director, he said something that changed my perspective: ‘You think too small, Jens—you’re only thinking about your lifetime! Of course, the guitar will be played again someday, but maybe not in the next 100 years.’
This was a real eye-opener for me. It made me see that the pieces I create aren’t just for today—they’re part of a legacy that will last long after I’m gone. My work is a bridge between generations, carrying the spirit of human creativity into the future. These instruments are more than just objects; they’re vessels of emotion, history, and culture, waiting to be rediscovered and cherished by future generations.
So now, it doesn’t really matter to me whether my works are played on stage by a superstar right away or if they’re “parked” in an art collection for the next 100 years. What matters is that they exist as a testament to the enduring power of human creativity. They’re my gift to the future—a legacy that will continue to inspire, provoke thought, and bring joy to people long after I’m gone. In this way, my work transcends time, contributing to the ongoing story of art and music that connects us all across the ages.
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