Raymond Kraut Modified Dreadnought - Swiss Moon Spruce & The Tree Mahogany #147

This Raymond Kraut Modified Dreadnought brings together extraordinary materials and a thoroughly individual vision of what an acoustic guitar can be. Pairing Swiss Moon spruce with spectacular The Tree mahogany, it represents Ray’s most recent approach to acoustic design, where structure, space, and proportion become part of the instrument’s artistic expression. Its architectural presentation invites a closer look at every angle, revealing a guitar whose smallest details belong to a carefully considered whole.

Ray’s foundation in lutherie began at the Roberto-Venn School, followed by an apprenticeship with Ervin Somogyi in Oakland, California. Working with one of the most influential figures in contemporary acoustic guitar building gave him a deep education in voicing, responsiveness, and the relationship between an instrument’s construction and its musical potential. Somogyi also encouraged creative independence, a lesson that continues to define Ray’s work. With more than two decades devoted to his craft, Ray carries that lineage forward through an increasingly personal approach. His contribution to the modern acoustic guitar world is especially compelling in the way he brings visual art directly into the instrument’s structure.

That philosophy finds beautiful expression across this guitar’s Swiss Moon spruce soundboard. Rectangular sound ports form an asymmetrical composition around the fingerboard, with raised wooden frames and fine intersecting lines creating depth across the pale spruce. The arrangement has an almost architectural rhythm, balancing open space with overlapping shapes and the natural warmth of wood. Shadows within the openings change with the viewing angle, giving the design a sculptural presence. The pointed cutaway continues that interplay of sweeping curves and crisp edges.

Along the bass side, an elongated sound port reveals a floating internal baffle fashioned from The Tree mahogany. Recessed beneath the opening, the figured wood creates another distinct layer within the composition, carrying the beauty of the exterior into the guitar’s interior. Together with the multiple soundboard ports, it illustrates how fully Ray is reconsidering the presentation of the acoustic guitar. Openings, borders, and internal surfaces all participate in the design.

The back and sides offer an equally captivating view. This set of The Tree mahogany displays deep, rolling figure in shades of amber, copper, and dark honey, with broad ripples that seem to rise from beneath the surface. Figured mahogany binding follows the body’s contours, while The Tree veneers on both faces of the headstock carry that rich character through the entire instrument. Against these luminous woods, the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, bridge, and bridge pins provide a beautifully restrained, darker accent.

The Modified Dreadnought itself traces its origins to Somogyi’s design, combining generous body proportions with a more pronounced waist positioned toward the neck. Here, that form provides the foundation for Ray’s enduring pursuit of responsiveness. It is a compelling proposition for the player whose music depends on touch, phrasing, and the interplay of independent voices, particularly in contemporary fingerstyle arrangements. A 25 1/4" scale, 1 3/4" nut width, and 2 1/4" bridge spacing offer comfortable room for intricate fretting and picking, while the guitar weighs just 4 pounds, 3 ounces.

Antique Gold Gotoh 510 tuning machines complement the warm palette, and a meticulously scalloped buffalo horn nut pairs with a buffalo horn saddle to complete the appointments. Accompanied by a Visesnut case, this Modified Dreadnought offers the opportunity to own a particularly expressive chapter in Ray Kraut’s continuing evolution. Its appeal lies in the completeness of the vision: exceptional wood, thoughtful craftsmanship, and an artistic identity that is unmistakably his own.

Other specifications include:

• Swiss Moon Spruce Top
• The Tree Mahogany Back & Sides
• Figured Mahogany Binding
• Brazilian Rosewood Bridge & Fingerboard
• Brazilian Rosewood Bridge Pins
• The Tree Mahogany Headstock Front & Rear Veneers
• Florentine Cutaway
• Multi-Port Soundboard Design
• Side Sound Port with The Tree Mahogany Floating Internal Baffle
• Antique Gold Gotoh 510 Tuning Machines
• Scalloped Buffalo Horn Nut
• Buffalo Horn Saddle
• Visesnut Case
• 14 Fret Neck Joint
• 25 1/4" Scale Length
• 1 3/4" Nut Width
• 2 1/4" Bridge Spacing
• 4 lb 3 oz
• 147

For more information about the Raymond Kraut, please contact us.

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