Glass in spades, clear as water, balanced from bottom to top and back again. Of course it’s a Traugott Model R. This sweet slice of heaven comes to us from 2020, is further upgraded with Jeff’s ultra exclusive “Kentucky Stash” Brazilian Rosewood (plus German Spruce on top in classic Traugott fashion), and plays like grass-fed butter. The key qualities of the voice is clarity across the strings, and a transparent tone that leaves each register singing out in a way that feels authentic, clean, and true. It’s hard to put into words, but it’s this precise quality that makes Jeff’s guitars stand out from the ranks of our other amazing modern builders.

Other keywords: lutherie, brazilain, brw, r.002.252.010, mainstage

The fruits are sweet, indeed. The latest Model R from Jeff Traugott to grace our shop comes to us from 2020, and is already wide awake. Jeff’s classic combination of Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce is used here to great effect: exquisite clarity across the registers, glassy trebles, and a strong fundamental throughout. The voice is dialed in for maximum clarity, making this a great candidate for fingerstyle play. That said, this Model R also holds up well under a flatpick. It’s the sort of guitar that makes every note count. Jeff’s aesthetic lets the quality of the woods speak for themselves—and what a story this dramatically colored Brazilian Rosewood tells—with only Abalone to tastefully ring in the rosette. The fretboard and bridge are also upgraded with Brazilian Rosewood to make the German Spruce top pop. All wrapped up in a custom Hoffee flight case for the best protection money can buy, short of a security detail.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitar building, traugott guitars, fingerpicking, finger style, R.002.254.040, calton

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).

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitar building, traugott guitars, calton, fingerpicking, finger style

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.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitar building, traugott guitars, cutaway, calton, fingerpicking, schaller, fingerstyle, finger style

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.