2018 Kraut OM, Pale Moon Ebony/European Spruce

This guitar! Where do we even begin? This 2018 OM from Ray Kraut is astounding to both the eyes and the ears. A beauty, features Ray’s “Pale Moon” Ebony for the back and sides, and a pale set of European Spruce for the top. Not content with that already deadly combination, Ray then fashioned the headstock veneers, fretboard, bridge, and heelcap out of more Pale Moon. An abstract rosette completes the luthier’s portrait. Tonally, this OM pours out notes with such presence and definition, it takes fingerstyle arrangements and renders them in crystalline clarity.

The trebles have a faint blooming effect after the initial attack, and the string-to-string balance is superb. We had a lot of fun playing around in open tunings—the playability is likewise slinky and smooth. Just an incredible instrument across the board, and it comes with a Hoffee flight case to keep it safe and sound.

So much wow factor here, you’ll need to take two breaths.

Check out our original demo with Mr. Paul himself here: .

Here’s an additional demo with Al Petteway on this instrument:

Other keywords: raymond kraut, somogyi, ervin somogyi, somogyi apprentice, lutherie, luthier, alternativetonewoods, euro spruce, orchestra model

• Status: in_stock
• Brand: Kraut
• Model: OM
• Serial #: 110
• New/Preowned: Preowned
• SKU: TMP981
• Condition: Bridge reglued, top center seam cleated and stabilized by our own repair staff.
• Body Type:
• Back & Sides: Ebony - Pale Moon
• Top: Spruce - European
• Neck Profile: C
• Bridge: Ebony - Pale Moon
• Top Trim: Maple
• Fingerboard: Ebony - Pale Moon
• Fingerboard Bindings: Ebony - Pale Moon
• Fret Markers: Red Side Dots
• Frets to Body: 14
• Headplate: Ebony - Pale Moon
• Cutaway: Florentine
• Pickguard: None
• Pickup: None, we can install one, ask about options
• Body Length: 19.375 in
• Upper Bout: 11.75 in
• Lower Bout: 15.875 in
• Body Depth Heel: 3.625 in
• Body Depth Tail: 4.375 in
• Scale Length: 25 in
• Scale Length (mm): 635 mm
• Nut Width: 1.81 in
• Nut Width (mm): 46 mm
• String Spacing: 2.25 in
• String Spacing (mm): 57.2 mm
• Weight: 4 lb. 6 oz.
• Headstock Inlay: None
• Instrument Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Body Bindings: Ebony
• Tuners: Alessi
• Rosette: Burl
• Headstock Bindings: None
• Case: Hardshell - Hoffee Fiberglass