Kraut OMC Nouveau

Something remarkable happened when Ray Kraut created this fabulous guitar - in the way it looks (which you can see in the photos) and its stunning sound. Ray has stepped up and created a next-level build for me, a modern OMC monster of a guitar. This beauty is a guitar that enhances whatever you play without limits. Strum like a madman, and it will erupt with every strike. Brush with your fingers, and she'll whisper in your ear. Sonically, it's a 3-D experience. The unique and elegant sound port surrounds the player with an honest and woody tonal mist.

The Nouveau's wood choices are sublime, and Ray's artistic design is a perfect setting for this uber-fantastic set of old-growth Port Orford cedar back and sides. Ergonomically, it's a joy to hold, and the playability is beyond excellent. I love smaller guitars, I love Ray's work, and I love this instrument. Everything comes together in this remarkable, brilliant Raymond Kraut Nouveau OMC.

Check out what Ray has to say about his newest model:

"This guitar is part of the Nouveau series, my venture in Lutherie that involves creating three-dimensional artwork extending beyond the surface of the guitar body. I'm fascinated by design that grabs attention gently from a distance but captivates you as you are drawn closer. I went inward through an inset box on the soundboard that is also a sound hole, allowing air to pass through it. The box is made of Honduran rosewood, Port Orford cedar, ebony, and a geometric accent of white reconstituted stone with gold veins. This guitar is consistent with my lightweight building practices but with original design elements inspired by minimalism, which are captured throughout the rest of the guitar with perfectly quarter-sawn, dead straight grain, zero flawed Port Orford Cedar back and sides. The clean cedar and Swiss Moon Spruce soundboard keep the eye free of distraction and invoke a feeling of simplicity, beauty, and ease. The cedar is carried inside and outside the entire guitar. The sound port allows a player to see into the instrument, which is constructed using 99% Port Orford Cedar. This Nouveau series breaks tradition and pursues my artistic interest. However, the playability and tone of my instruments are still paramount – something I am known for."

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT KRAUT GUITARS
Ray Kraut’s passion for responsive sound and artistic innovation in guitar building developed under a two-year apprenticeship with Master Luthier Ervin Somogyi. Through Somogyi’s famed voicing techniques and building styles and with Lewis Santer’s (Somogyi’s shop manager) daily instruction on repair and building techniques, Kraut mastered a unique voicing and visual style that reflects the quality of his luthier education. Kraut is recognized world wide for the quality of sound, craftsmanship, and art of his guitars and is annually invited to the most recognized luthier exhibitions such as the Healdsburg Guitar Festival, the Montreal Guitar Show, the Woodstock Guitar Show, The North West Musical Instrument Show, and the Luthiers Showcase Exhibit at the NAMM show. Today, Kraut lives in Eugene, Oregon where he builds twelve custom guitars annually. His guitars are collected world wide, from Japan to Europe, and across North America. Each guitar is entirely unique and expresses the relationship Kraut builds with each of his clients.