Build Thread - Kraut OM

[JonBarclay]

Hello AGF!

I've been a keen observer on this forum for a couple of years, but can't say I've contributed a huge amount in that time - just really enjoyed following other peoples' builds, and absorbing the huge amount of information shared by luthiers and players alike. However, I'm at last able to give something back, as, after a 2 year wait...

... my own build has started!

Luthier

I've made a few visits to The Acoustic Music Co. in Brighton, and have always been struck by the sheer number and quality of guitars/mandolins in stock there. Trevor has been unfailingly generous with his time & advice, and as a result I've had the chance to play guitars by makers I might otherwise never have had access to... which led to my playing a Ray Kraut OM there a couple of years ago. A completely unreal guitar, flawlessly built with a great aesthetic sense, and wonderful tone. I didn't end up buying that guitar (more fool me), but after an introductory enquiry from Trevor, then some email traffic between me & Ray, my own build slot was quickly secured!

Ray states on his own website that the tonal world he inhabits is essentially that of Somogyi: there were certainly similarities in tone between his OM and the Somogyi Mod D that was quickly snapped up at TAMCO, although I'd happily sacrifice a little of that huge Mod D bass for the overall balance & slightly sweeter mid/treble response I found in Ray's guitar. Aesthetically, I think his work is absolutely beautiful, particularly the combination of fine linear elements and blocks of contrasting wood grain. Finally, Ray himself is clearly very knowledgeable, but is down to earth, has a great sense of humour & is always ready to discuss anything a customer might wish to.

Specs

After much discussion, and not a few changes of mind (!), we've settled on the following spec:

Model - OM, with florentine cutaway
Soundboard - Italian Spruce
Back/sides - Ziricote (double sides, and lattice braced back)
Fretboard/bridge - Ebony
Neck - Mahogany, 14 frets to body
Scale length - 25.25” (a little longer than standard, plus will be strung with mediums)
Nut width - 1 25/32”
Saddle spacing - 2 ¼”
Nut/saddle - Fossilized walrus ivory
Bridge - Conventional pinned
Custom inlay - Rosette, end graft

Which brings us to:

The build

Only just started, but I've a few pictures to start things off!

Ray's pick of Italian spruce, with very even grain:


Beautiful set of ziricote:


Close up:


Back joined & outline in place:


Sides taking shape (doubled with peruvian walnut):



I'll be posting more details, and pictures when they arrive!

Jon

[Wolfram]

Jon,

That's looking superb, and it'll sound even better (I played the OM at TAMCO too).

Keep us posted - I'll be watching this build carefully!

Cheers,
David

[fountainhead]

Congratulations on your build!

[Fsgeek]

Ray surely makes great guitars... Im sure you will enjoy your build

[Michael Watts]

The time has come Jon! Very cool, I'll be watching this one with interest

[Trevor M]

I'm looking forward forward to checking this one out for a few minutes....

The last customer order I had from Ray arrived while I was on holiday so I didn't even get to see it.

[billgennaro]

I have only played a few of Ray's guitars, but they were all very good. You can definitely hear the "Somogyi" influence (I have a lot more experience with Ervin's guitars). I have also only played one instrument with Ziricote back/sides (by Simon Fay) and thought it made a lovely guitar. Your Kraut build should be wonderful. I am looking forward to more pics as they become available. Congratulations!

[steveh]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

The time has come Jon! Very cool, I'll be watching this one with interest

+1

I see you went for OM rather than MD? IIRC you were thinking perhaps an MD at one time?

If I was forced to chose between the two, an OM would be my choice also.

Looking forward to seeing this thread develop.

Cheers,
Steve

[JoeCharter]

Congrats, Jon! That's a beautiful set of ziricote.

I still remember trading PMs with you when I first received my OM from Ray. I can't believe over two years have gone by since then.

Enjoy the journey!

[JonBarclay]

Originally Posted by Wolfram Slides

Jon,

That's looking superb, and it'll sound even better (I played the OM at TAMCO too).

Keep us posted - I'll be watching this build carefully!

Cheers,
David

Originally Posted by fountainhead

Congratulations on your build!

Originally Posted by Fsgeek

Ray surely makes great guitars... Im sure you will enjoy your build

Originally Posted by billgennaro

I have only played a few of Ray's guitars, but they were all very good. You can definitely hear the "Somogyi" influence (I have a lot more experience with Ervin's guitars). I have also only played one instrument with Ziricote back/sides (by Simon Fay) and thought it made a lovely guitar. Your Kraut build should be wonderful. I am looking forward to more pics as they become available. Congratulations!

Thanks guys I'll be posting progress pics as they arrive... checking my emails has now become an hourly occurrence!

David, that OM really was great, wasn't it?

Jon

[JonBarclay]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

The time has come Jon! Very cool, I'll be watching this one with interest

Thanks Michael! The time has indeed come... only hope I can make this as entertaining as your infamous Kostal thread You set the bar high...

Jon

[JonBarclay]

Originally Posted by The Acoustic Music Co (TAMCO) UK

I'm looking forward to checking this one out for a few minutes....

The last customer order I had from Ray arrived while I was on holiday so I didn't even get to see it.

Not going to happen this time Trevor, guaranteed... I'll get the coffees in, you play the guitar, deal?

Jon

[JonBarclay]

Originally Posted by steveh

I see you went for OM rather than MD? IIRC you were thinking perhaps an MD at one time?

If I was forced to chose between the two, an OM would be my choice also.

Looking forward to seeing this thread develop.

Cheers,
Steve

Hey Steve

You're bang on, this was originally going to be a Mod D... However, my tonal preferences have shifted over time, I'll admit I've found smaller bodied guitars more comfortable to play... and not least I've spent a lot of time listening to OMs & Mod Ds, sometimes in direct comparison: yours was one of them, played by you and also compared to two other Kostals by Mr Watts a little while ago. The balanced sound, sheer responsiveness of what was a very new guitar, and downright beautiful timbre reminded me that it was - after all - an OM that set me on this path 2 years ago!

Jon

[JonBarclay]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Congrats, Jon! That's a beautiful set of ziricote.

I still remember trading PMs with you when I first received my OM from Ray. I can't believe over two years have gone by since then.

Enjoy the journey!

Thanks Mau! Only taken a few steps on the journey so far, and it's shaping up to be a proper adventure

I've already told Ray how much I liked your guitar - definitely a benchmark! Now I just need to learn to play as well as you...

Jon

[Billy Boy]

Congratulations, Jon! You've selected a marvelous luthier for your build. I'll need to make a few trips down to Eugene to see this one in progress.