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Old 08-18-2011, 03:50 PM
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justonwo justonwo is offline
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Default 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."




Last edited by justonwo; 06-15-2012 at 11:41 AM.
  #2  
Old 08-18-2011, 06:17 PM
Don Latarski Don Latarski is offline
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Default 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.

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Old 08-18-2011, 09:18 PM
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Nice! I love Ray's work.
I can't wait to see more.
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Old 08-19-2011, 02:15 AM
Huckleberry Huckleberry is offline
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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!
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Old 08-19-2011, 07:08 AM
Markart Markart is offline
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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!
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Old 08-19-2011, 02:37 PM
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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.
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Old 08-19-2011, 03:50 PM
JohnM JohnM is offline
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Congrats. Ray is a really nice fellow.
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Old 08-19-2011, 07:59 PM
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............................
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  #9  
Old 08-19-2011, 09:48 PM
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When is the build scheduled to start?
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Old 08-19-2011, 10:40 PM
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Congrats, Juston! Will look forward to watching this one hatch...!

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Old 08-19-2011, 11:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by racman View Post
When is the build scheduled to start?
Ha. In about a year. But I couldn't contain my excitement.
  #12  
Old 08-20-2011, 12:17 AM
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I use Don Latarski as my sole jazz study books- so easy to visualize the fretboard! Thanks-
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Old 08-20-2011, 03:57 AM
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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
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  #14  
Old 08-20-2011, 04:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justonwo View Post
Ha. In about a year. But I couldn't contain my excitement.
LOL, the excitement is half the fun of the journey!!
Congrats!!
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Last edited by racman; 08-22-2011 at 08:34 PM.
  #15  
Old 08-23-2011, 10:37 AM
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Here's a first pass at some woods Ray thought I might enjoy. Some old growth EIR and black ebony.



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