The Choptank is part of Knaggs Guitars’ Chesapeake Series and is the company’s single-cutaway, 25.5″ scale design. Knaggs was founded in Maryland in 2009 by Joe Knaggs and Peter Wolf, with Joe Knaggs bringing extensive experience from his earlier work at PRS. The Choptank combines a traditional single-cut outline with several distinctly Knaggs features, including set-neck construction, extensive body contouring and the proprietary Chesapeake bridge system.

This example is a relatively early production instrument, most likely dating from 2013. The guitar has a swamp ash body, together with a figured wooden pickguard and gold hardware. The set neck is figured rock maple with a rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays and the vintage-inspired Knaggs “52” profile. This is a substantial, rounded neck shape rather than a slim modern profile.

Electronics are SSS configuration, with three Seymour Duncan APS-1 single-coil pickups, five-way switching, one volume and two tone controls. The guitar has standard playwear for the age, with a few minor dings on the front. Frets are approximately 98% and it plays great, as it should. It is particularly resonant acoustically and has the solid, unique feel typical of the long-scale set-neck Choptank construction.

Weight is 3400g. Original case included in great condition, together with some paperwork.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Manufacturer: Knaggs Guitars
• Model: Choptank
• Series: Chesapeake
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Made in: Maryland, USA
• Orientation: Right-handed
• Construction: Set neck
• Body type: Solidbody
• Body shape: Single cutaway
• Body profile: Flat construction with sculpted body contours
• Body wood: Swamp ash
• Neck wood: Figured rock maple
• Neck joint: Set neck
• Neck profile: Knaggs “52”
• Neck character: Rounded vintage-style profile
• Scale length: 25.5″ / 648 mm
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard radius: 8.5″ / 216 mm
• Number of frets: 22
• Fretwire: Knaggs Tall Thin, approximately .100″ x .051″
• Fingerboard inlays: Dot
• Nut: Bone
• Nut width: 1 5/8″ / approximately 41.3 mm
• Headstock: Six-in-line Knaggs design
• Headstock inlay: Knaggs Circle with Star
• Truss rod cover: Choptank
• Tuners: Kluson-style six-in-line
• Hardware finish: Gold
• Bridge: Knaggs Chesapeake Hard Tail
• Bridge construction: Six individually adjustable saddles
• Stringing: String-through-body
• Pickup configuration: SSS
• Pickup selector: 5-way blade
• Controls: 1 volume, 2 tone
• Control knobs: Metal dome
• Output jack: Side mounted
• Weight: 3400g
• Case: Original case included, in great condition