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-   -   Build Thread: Kraut Modified Dreadnought (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225372)

justonwo 08-18-2011 03:50 PM

Build Thread: Kraut Modified Dreadnought
 
Hooked by the Healdsburg Guit-Yourwalletout Festival again. Last time it was Mike Baranik. This time I kept coming back to the Kraut table and asking Ray if I could take his Mod D for another test drive.

The specs are completely up in the air right now. I don't even have a photo of so much as a single brace for the upcoming build . . . so sorry for the lack of visual stimulation. I was drawn in by the overall voice of the guitar, but was ultimately hooked by the deep, resonant bass. For now, I'll just list some ideas we're kicking around.

Top: Euro spruce
Back/Sides: Ebony
Cutaway: Yes
Scale length: Fan fret with 25.25" in the treble and 26" in the bass
Special features: Manzer wedge, sound port


So everything is still very much in the planning stages, which is fun for me anyway. The Healdsburg guitar was Euro Spruce and old growth EIR and it sounded phenomenal. I may just stick with that combination or might go for a denser back/side wood for more sustain and volume.

Scale length is definitely up in the air as I decide if I want to build the guitar around Ray's standard or go with something a little longer for dropped tunings.

The Manzer wedge was a feature I've never really considered before but found it to be a "must have" after playing the guitar in person. It made this dread-sized guitar feel more like an OM. Very comfy.

The decorative details will be fun. I have a feeling I may use Ray's talents for some subtle soundboard and fretboard inlay since I'm a very big fan of his aesthetic choices.

For now, here's a picture of the guitar that "set the treble hook."

http://jus-tone.com/misc/Healdsburg_...burg2011-7.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/Healdsburg_...urg2011-11.jpg

Don Latarski 08-18-2011 06:17 PM

thoughts on Kraut guitar
 
I totally understand your fascination with this instrument. I've had the good fortune of spending about 5 hrs. last week recording with this guitar for Mr. Kraut's upcoming promotional web video. I was hired to do the soundtrack for this and had a ball with this instrument. It really has some very special and deeply expressive qualities. I'm happy to hear you were also taken by this instrument.

Don Latarski
Head of Guitar Studies
University of Oregon
School of Music and Dance

SteveS 08-18-2011 09:18 PM

Nice! I love Ray's work.
I can't wait to see more.

Huckleberry 08-19-2011 02:15 AM

Very nice, Juston - I'll be following the developing design and build of this one carefully. I also have a Modified D-shaped hole in my stable at the moment, since playing my first Somogyi earlier this year.

I'd be tempted to stick to a rosewood for this one. I think ebony works beautifully on smaller guitars, but the only ebony dreadnaught I've played I really didn't like. The back didn't feel coupled to the top, and it felt and sounded more like maple. It was a Taylor BTO, and while I'm not a great Taylor fan I did very much like an ebony GC BTO I played at the same time. Ray will be able to advise better than me though.

Good luck, and can't wait to see it take shape!

Markart 08-19-2011 07:08 AM

I can't wait to see this one shape up as well.. I love the pictures you took of the HGF, and the Krauts were among my favorites. I really do enjoy his design aesthetics.. This is gonna be cool!

justonwo 08-19-2011 02:37 PM

Huck, I think we are destined to be gear twins. How's the Meridian coming? My experience with ebony is very, very limited and I'm usually pretty hesitant to move from a known entity (EIR I heard at HGF) to an unknown. But I also try to pick builders whose judgement I don't have to second guess.

I've put the question to Ray about whether he thinks the ebony might turn out too maple-esque. Thanks for the input. Bottom line is that I have plenty of time to decide so the final decision will definitely be carefully considered.

JohnM 08-19-2011 03:50 PM

Congrats. Ray is a really nice fellow.

Larry Pattis 08-19-2011 07:59 PM

............................

racman 08-19-2011 09:48 PM

When is the build scheduled to start?

riorider 08-19-2011 10:40 PM

Congrats, Juston! Will look forward to watching this one hatch...!

Phil

justonwo 08-19-2011 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racman (Post 2731665)
When is the build scheduled to start?

Ha. In about a year. But I couldn't contain my excitement.

kirkham13 08-20-2011 12:17 AM

I use Don Latarski as my sole jazz study books- so easy to visualize the fretboard! Thanks-:)

bdm0509 08-20-2011 03:57 AM

Juston-

Welcome to the club. I'm currently occupying Ray's time with my Blackwood OM, and I'm quite happy to be his focus right now. Finally, all of you would-be customers are out of his hair, and -this- customer is in it. Ha ha.

Seriously, he's done and continues to do amazing work; his creativity is unbounded; and yet in all the artistry and new and original work, he maintains a confidence in what he's doing that is incredibly reassuring.

-Brett

racman 08-20-2011 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justonwo (Post 2731709)
Ha. In about a year. But I couldn't contain my excitement.

LOL, the excitement is half the fun of the journey!!
Congrats!!

justonwo 08-23-2011 10:37 AM

Here's a first pass at some woods Ray thought I might enjoy. Some old growth EIR and black ebony.

http://jus-tone.com/misc/kraut/EIR.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/kraut/Black_Ebony.jpg


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