This beauty has truly come to full bloom. We love the spacious, complete voice of this 2007 Traugott model R; it’s a fingerstylist’s best friend. The setup is silk smooth with a 24.9” scale that manages to ring out with exquisite clarity at concert pitch and right on down to C tunings too. If we had to sum it up in one word, we’d use “smooth.” It feels, plays, and sings like a professional.
Jeff used a set of premium Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides that boasts some serious figuring, and has an almost green hue in the right light. We’ve seen a few of Jeff’s guitars with this kind of BRW, and each one has been an exceptional piece. On top, he used German Spruce with gorgeous alternating colors along the tight grain. Elsewhere, this model R is appointed simply, as is Jeff’s style. We really appreciate letting the quality of the woods speak for themselves (both sonically and visually).

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We knew we were in for a treat the moment we opened the case. It’s not often we have an opportunity to visit with an older Traugott (here from 1997) that’s been played in and opened up, and this is only the second one we’ve ever seen in Indian Rosewood. Which, while we’re on the subject, in no way diminishes the voice on this one compared with its BRW siblings: the trademark Traugott clarity, precision, and projection are here in full force. Additionally, the Sitka Spruce has had over two decades of music poured through it, and it shows; the trebles have a juicy presence that cuts through the mix. This is Jeff’s larger BK body, moreover, which lends an extra helping of power and sustain while remaining a comfortable and easy-playing instrument (weighing in at a scant 4lbs 3oz).
It’s a powerhouse, plain and simple. Ready to have a Traugott in your life? This one is a steal of a deal.

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Time has treated this Traugott well, indeed. Opening up since 2002, this BK model has an incredible voice today that’s equal parts clarity and power. This is Jeff’s large-bodied design that lends itself to both flatpicking and fingerstyle approaches—and we can attest that it thrives in both capacities. We were excited to discover that the back and sides came from Jeff’s special stash of his old-growth “Kentucky” Brazilian Rosewood (think “beautiful” times five), and Jeff sent us a letter of authenticity to certify the fact. Straight-grained German Spruce on top, Abalone rosette, and the fingerboard features position markers offset to the bass side.
Even with light gauge strings, we were able to take this one down to C# territory without the play feel getting slappy. This Traugott is a big fan of DADGAD and Open D as well. Standard 25.4” scale, 1.75” nut, and a 2.25” saddle spacing all felt natural and familiar to our hands, and the setup overall is slinky and smooth for effortless playability.
There’s a reason Traugotts are so sought after: surgically precise tone, and an understated aesthetic. Both speak volumes.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, brazilain, B-K, old growth, schaller, calton, flight case, finger style, fingerpicking, finger picking

How can one man manage to pull so much tone and understated beauty out of a few board feet of wood, a dash of bone, and a few frets? Every time a Traugott comes through our doors we ask ourselves this question anew. This 2011 Model R is, frankly, like having a six-string piano in your lap. The voice drips with butter-rich tone, but retains crystalline clarity across all the registers. Pluck the low E string, and your ear can pick apart the infinitude of over- (and under-) tones of the bass response–it’s like Jeff Traugott built an acoustic microscope instead of a guitar so you can hear an otherwise impossible degree of depth, color, and nuance.

The setup on the slim neck is gossamer, svelte as silk, and faster than you’d think. This Traugott R practically plays itself. Of course this guitar also features some of the finest Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce available to any luthier in the world; we don’t know where Jeff managed to find all this incredible tonewood, but boy are we happy he did! You can ring the bells that are these trebles for days and not get tired. Regardless of tuning, style, picks or fingers, this Traugott performs like an extension of your arm–if your arm was so shapely, agile, and resonant.

If this 2012 Traugott R were a flower, it’d be in full bloom. The voice has clarity and openness in spades; the kind of string-to-string separation to breathe new color into each chord; a response at once swift and easy. This model R demonstrates why Jeff Traugott’s guitars are so revered. Jeff’s understated aesthetic is a perfect complement to the voice: the interplay of curve and contour, like that of the bass fundamental and treble overtones, is precisely executed and flows organically.

At a glance, the Brazilian-and-German–Spruce Traugott looks so natural as to have always been there, cradled in your hands. In the bass, trebles, and everywhere in between the voice flows from the soundhole as easy as breathing. Some great guitars have a big, flashy personality–this Traugott R achieves as much, if not more, in a refined package that belies an elegantly open voice underneath.

Fully opened up and effortlessly playable, the voice and overall setup can both be described in one word: glassy. This 1998 Traugott Model R features an incredible set of Brazilian Rosewood with brick-red hues and stunning grain. While tightly quartered, the back has a dramatic red streaks across the center, and the sides have some beautiful patterns reminscent of the veins in a feather. This Traugott has the sort of Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce that any luthier would beg, borrow, and steal to have. We’re talking grandmaster grade, folks. Thankfully these magnificent sets found their way into Jeff’s hands–he’s put them to fine use!

This Model R has the pristine clarity that all Traugotts share, but there’s also an extra dose of juiciness in the trebles to separate from its brethren. A jaw-dropping fingerstyle guitar, this Model R handles all tunings with ease, and be prepared to wear ear plugs once you put finger to string–this baby sings like a rifle shot.

In the world of fine lutherie, Jeff Traugott’s name is spoken with reverence. This guitar delivers everything you’d expect from that immaculate reputation: a crisp, balanced tone with a German Spruce top and sensuous, understated appointments. Incredibly sensitive to your touch, the richly figured and bookmatched Brazilian Rosewood back and sides underscore a tight response and sustain in Fingerstyle arrangements. It excels when played in Dropped Tunings like DADGAD, where the low-end really wakes up and balances nicely the bells in the upper register to create a lush, colorful sound without overpowering the highs. This Traugott R stands headstock and shoulders above its peers.