2015 Dake Traphagen 000-14 – £2699

NEW ARRIVAL  Renound US luthier Dake Traphagen is best known as a builder of high end classical guitars. But his steel string acoustics are really something special too. Made in the time-honoured way, he still primarily uses hand tools and traditional glues and finishes. This is a 000 body size guitar featuring an Italian Spruce top with Honduran Rosewood back and sides. There’s an Ebony fingerboard, Rosewood bridge, and sleek looking black Schertler tuners. The body binding is Amazon Rosewood, the the double rosette is eye catching Black Palm. Clearly Dake approaches his guitar making from a classical perspective, and it’s refreshingly different to a traditional 000, very rich and beautifully balanced. The guitar works well for all styles, but particularly excels with fingerstyle. Here’s the thing; the guitar has had a reaction to the lacquer finish, resulting in some faded areas around the rims and headstock. It has no affect on the tone or playability of the guitar, but means that the price is greatly reduced. It has a great sounding MiSi Air Trio pickup fitted, and comes in its original hard case.