Jeff Traugott Guitars [Archive]

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Lance Long

12-19-2006, 03:36 PM

Does anyone have experience with or comments about Traugott guitars? Thanks for your input.

clemduolian

12-19-2006, 03:55 PM

In a word, brilliant. Among the finest...some would say THE finest. I've played two, both exceptional and magical.

You can hear and see them at dreamguitars.com

If you're getting one, congratulations. Its a life guitar...your grand kids will thank you.

Clem

Jeeves

12-19-2006, 04:20 PM

cornerstone

12-19-2006, 04:36 PM

Awesome is the only word I can come up with. Jeff is amongst the finest builders out there....

joel

12-19-2006, 04:45 PM

I chatted with Jeff about 9 years ago. He said his base price was $5.5K, and he'd do a brazillian for me for another $1K. He prefered to charge for his time rather than the materials. He mentioned that he was having trouble keeping up with demand, and would probably have to raise his prices. Ahhh, if I'd only known...

Bryan T

12-19-2006, 04:53 PM

I do wonder how much time he puts into each instrument. I've talked to other builders and they mentioned spending about 120 hours on each instrument. At $30K a pop, that is a pretty incredible hourly wage even after correcting for cost of materials and overhead. More power to him!

Bryan

davess23

12-19-2006, 06:42 PM

I've played exactly one Traugott guitar, but I played that guitar several times over a period of about a year. This was about four years ago. The guitar belonged to a good friend of mine who's close to guitar wizard Martin Simpson. Martin had a nice Traugott at the time (I think that's it on the cover of his Live album) and my buddy liked it and ordered one.

Nice guitar, actually very nice. But my friend never bonded with it, and eventually sold it. Frankly, I wasn't all that impressed, either. It wasn't that the Traugott didn't deliver the goods. It did. It was balanced, it had nice dynamics, it played easily and its tone was pleasing. It was fine looking and obviously built with love and care. It had all that good stuff going for it.

However, this group of musical friends I play with are pretty well set for guitars, and there were other instruments we played side by side with the Traugott that were at least as good. It was definitely up there with the best, but not above stuff like the two Model 1 Sobells, the Tippin "Martin Simpson" 000 or for that matter my own custom SC OM. None of these guitars gave up anything at all to the Traugott. In fact, I kind of preferred the sound, feel and playability of one or two of them.

As I've already made clear, this was just one guitar, so I'm aware of the perils of judging from such a limited sample...but wait a second...this was a $20K guitar, costing at least 3-4X as much as the others, not as a result of some vintage-crazy aftermarket but priced that way directly from the luthier himself, so maybe I can be forgiven for assuming that it wouldn't be let out the door unless it was one of his very best. Traugott makes a great guitar, but there are other guitars just as great for much less money. If you want a great guitar, you can get one for lots less. If you want a Traugott, that's another story.

clemduolian

12-20-2006, 10:47 AM

I think Davess23 makes a good point. I prefer my Yuris Zeltins guitar to the Traugotts I've played...not taking ANYTHING away from them. But, you can get an incredible guitar for less money (two or more, even). And there are many brilliant builders out there--some with more distinctive styles/techniques; others great traditionalists.

Having had the good fortune to commission and/or own a number of hand built instruments, my take is that it is a very personal, emotional and psycho-acoustic experience. Acquire what speaks and sings to you the most--not what the market place, magazines or message boards say. Always good to get input and feedback, but it is a very personal choice.

Clem

Lance Long

12-20-2006, 10:56 AM

Bryan T

12-20-2006, 10:59 AM

Gentlemen, thanks for your advice and input regarding the question. Your comments have been very helpful. Now I would like to ask your advice on what other luthiers I should consider as I narrow my choices for a custom guitar. I play fingerstyle without picks and prefer an SJ or Jumbo body size. Thank you again for your recommendations.

Lance

Have you been to Healdsburg? If you are considering something as expensive as a Traugott, then it would definitely be worth the cost of the trip to Healdsburg to meet a wide range of luthiers and see their instruments.

Bryan

joel

12-20-2006, 11:06 AM

My SCGC does right for me, although I wish it had a cutaway. They make a couple of fingerstyle oriented designs.

You might also call Jeff and see what he says, if that's the style you know you want. I believe he has had an apprentice or two. Perhaps you can get everything but the signature at a fraction of the price. Sounds like you're on an exciting adventure.

On a tangent, what are those Sobels like? It's Martin Simpsons's fault I've spent so much on guitars, but never picked up one of those. Cheers!

riffmeister

12-20-2006, 12:08 PM

crazy dollars for a new guitar, but very very good stuff.

davess23

12-20-2006, 12:11 PM

SCGC makes the FS, a wonderful cutaway fingerstyle guitar. Order in the woods of choice.

Tippin can build you a good one. Michael Millard at Froggy Bottom is excellent, too. Julius Borges is also a great builder. (Hey, I'm a New Englander, so I'm listing NE guys first, okay?)

Or contact Eric Schoenberg. Nobody knows more about fingerstyle guitars. His are among the very, very finest.

Jack Briggs

12-20-2006, 12:15 PM

Bryan T

12-20-2006, 12:27 PM

I put as much into some of my electric solid bodies!!! :eek:

Really? I'm amazed that a solid body would require that amount of labor. If you have a minute (and it sounds like you don't ;) ) could you break down the process?

Example:
Body/neck carving: 2 hours
fretwork: 2 hours
finishing: 8 hours
wiring: 1 hour

Bryan

clemduolian

12-20-2006, 01:13 PM

You should definitely check out Sobell. He's English--try Dream Guitars as a resource. Both dreamguitars.com and fineguitarconsultants.com are GREAT resources for hand built, exquisite guitars. Richard @ fineguitarconsultants is a wonderful guy, with vast knowledge and experience. Its worth giving him a call and talking, even if you don't buy from him.

A trip to Healdsburg is always a good time, too.

Good luck. Enjoy the process...take your time and play a lot of instruments before you commit.

Clem

jokerjkny

12-21-2006, 01:26 PM

Have you been to Healdsburg? If you are considering something as expensive as a Traugott, then it would definitely be worth the cost of the trip to Healdsburg to meet a wide range of luthiers and see their instruments.

Bryan

+1

its the mecca of small acoustic builders, and the best way for you to get an idea of what you're investing in, since you seem to be ready to spend a boatload of cash. ;)

cause if there's anything i'm starting to slowly realize, you just have to play the darn thing. heck, a friend of mine recently bought a collings OM1A, and while i thought i totally swore off anything collings, this guitar literally had me begging. YMMV.

nik

12-23-2006, 11:01 AM

Jeff's a good guy and builds a great guitar. He built a couple for me a long time ago when they were MUCH less expensive. I sold them when I needed some quick cash several years ago, but didn't get anywhere near what they are asking for them now. That being said, they were both wonderful guitars and I wish I still had them.

Is he still taking orders? Last I heard he was booked so far in advance he quit taking orders...

nik

12-23-2006, 12:37 PM

WOW!!! I hadn't checked out Jeff's website lately. He has some really cool new guitars out there. That 8-string is unreal!

http://traugottguitars.com/models/index.html

royd

12-23-2006, 01:02 PM

I believe that Traugott designed the SCGC FS model, so you could get a feel for his design there if not for his personal touch.

There are lots of great builders out there... a few of my favorites are Lance McCollum - http://mccollumguitars.com/, Kathy Wingert http://www.wingertguitars.com/; Dave Eichelbaum - http://www.eichelbaumguitars.com/, and my favorite of all, George Lowden - http://www.georgelowden.com/guitars/index.html, (his individually built guitars are amazing). They all make some wonderful fingerstyle guitars. At a lower price point, I really like the Lowden shop guitars. The new ones are the equal of any individually built guitar that I've ever played.

gitman

12-23-2006, 02:16 PM

when you are looking for a seriuos steelstring from an independent luthier then the place to ask around is the 13thfret.com forum. they all hang out there, share a wealth of info and knowledge, no bull.
during the winter NAMM in Anaheim a good dozen of the best builders will hold a symposium in a motel near the NAMM grounds - details on Bruce Sexauer's website. i think this would be a prime opportunity to try out a really large group of top-class instruments and have the builder there to ask all the questions. wish i could make the trip ....:drool

royd

12-23-2006, 02:29 PM

+1 for the 13th fret. It is to acoustic gearheads what this forum is for electric players.
I stopped by the independant luthiers room at NAMM two years ago and it was a wonderful place to be with lots of great people - builders and players - but it was a bit cramped. There were some amazing guitars there and yes, it would be worth the trip either to there or to Healdsburg... but in either case, you only get a small sample of who are out there building.

enr1co

01-01-2007, 10:35 AM

try Dream Guitars as a resource. Both dreamguitars.com and fineguitarconsultants.com are GREAT resources for hand built, exquisite guitars.
A trip to Healdsburg is always a good time, too.
Good luck. Enjoy the process...take your time and play a lot of instruments before you commit.
Clem

+1 w/ Clems notes.

Mike at luthierscollection.com (located in San Diego CA) is also an excellent resource for information and inventory. His site shows that he even has a couple Traugotts and Olsons available for purchase. I purchased a Ryan from him and he was very helpful. A trip to any one of the resources mentioned (even before heading to Healdsburg) would be worthwhile if considering a commisioned build.

Luthiers Mercantile, the sponsor of the Healdsburg fest is in process of updating the site with the 2007 info but you can get an idea of the builders that will likely attend- http://www.lmii.com/Festival2005/

It might be good to start contacting some of the builders NOW for 1:1 discussions as the festival can get quite hectic. :crazy Ive only started attending in 2003 and it seems to get more crowded each year. (Im fortunate to live ~ 1.5 hr drive away but many have found it easy to justify planning a wine tour/San Francisco vacation around the festival in AUG.)

Most builders are really nice folks who love talking about guitars and finding out about your tonal and playing requirements.

With a commissioned build so personal, a huge part of the process is meeting a luthier you can relate to and feel comfortable with. :)

daddyo

01-09-2007, 03:40 PM

For $20K I'd go with Pat Metheny and get a Linda Manzer.

vtacoustic

05-09-2007, 06:45 PM

I played one at Healdsburg last year. In addition to being the nicest guy you ever want to meet, he does build great guitars. I think the one I played was going for $18k, and that was a fire-sale because the brazilian was cracked. I don't even know what he's getting now - $25-30k maybe?

I'd have to agree with Clem. Some people will say they're nothing bank-bustingly special but the one I played was mighty nice. If I ever came across a used one I may pull the trigger.

Hi this is my first post. About this Traugott guitar....I bought it at the Healdsburg festival. Jeff gave me a good price on it (compared to his new prices) and it has been absolutely amazing. I sold my Linda Manzer guitar to pay for it and have not been disappointed. The cracked Brazilian does not affect sound obviously, but does affect collectibility a little. Cracking is common when using this very old and high grade Brazilian rosewood. Anyway, great guitar just thought it was funny to see a post about the guitar I actually own. Thanks!

Mrgearguy

05-10-2007, 06:24 AM

I've played a few of Jeff's guitars and they each have had a wonderful feel and a soaring airiness to them. They felt delicate to me, too much for my banging style, but I'd love to have one!

nik

05-10-2007, 07:38 AM

Hi this is my first post. About this Traugott guitar....I bought it at the Healdsburg festival. Jeff gave me a good price on it (compared to his new prices) and it has been absolutely amazing. I sold my Linda Manzer guitar to pay for it and have not been disappointed. The cracked Brazilian does not affect sound obviously, but does affect collectibility a little. Cracking is common when using this very old and high grade Brazilian rosewood. Anyway, great guitar just thought it was funny to see a post about the guitar I actually own. Thanks!

Was your guitar a used Model R with "Nick" written on the Calton case? :)

seamusmcfartnok

05-10-2007, 08:23 AM

Man I really LOVE Roy McAlisters work. He truly builds a beautiful sounding guitar. I own the "C" model and it's the finest acoustic I've ever owned. I've had everything from Olson to Collings and they're are all brilliant instruments but there is something there with a McAlister that's so well...."Mojo?"

I'm sure someone has mentioned it but go to Dream Guitars.com and check out the selection they have. Pretty much anything from Collings to Sobell , JT, Olson, Petros, McAlister....on and on!

http://www.mcalisterguitars.com/

http://www.dreamguitars.com/

Ogre

05-10-2007, 10:27 AM

I have not had the pleasure of playing a Traugott. A friend of mine has a Sobell, and I find it just OK. The most remarkable guitars I have experienced are(in no particular order) :
Wingert
Lowden
McCollum
Santa Cruz

vtacoustic

05-10-2007, 10:16 PM

Was your guitar a used Model R with "Nick" written on the Calton case? :)

Nope. It was brand new from Jeff. If you go to www.traugottguitars.com
and look at the wood gallery page, my guitar is picture 9. Thanks!

Jeeves

05-20-2007, 08:47 AM

Nope. It was brand new from Jeff. If you go to www.traugottguitars.com (http://www.traugottguitars.com)
and look at the wood gallery page, my guitar is picture 9. Thanks!

Congrats VT on a great guitar. Having played that one at Healdsburg I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'm only a little jealous :-)

This is unrelated, but one builder that doesn't get mentioned much is Bill Kelday from Scotland. He will be at Healdsburg this year and is worth checking out. His stuff is simply amazing.

Ogre

05-20-2007, 12:58 PM

Two other great luthiers who are MUCH less $$ than Mr. Traugott are: Ed Claxton(out of Santa Cruz, CA) & www.bashkinguitars.com

MikeD

05-22-2007, 05:54 PM

VT, I played that guitar at Jeff's shop the day I picked up mine on the Tuesday after the last Healdsburg. I really liked that guitar. Congrats. I hope you like your model R as much as I like my R and BK fan fret. I just visited Jeff last week, and he is building some pretty incredible electrics these days as well. :drool