Sometimes elegance comes in small packages, like this 2018 Kostal 00. Jason’s smallest guitar punches far above its weight with a rich and focused bass response paired with glass-smooth trebles and exquisite string-to-string balance. This beauty comes to us with a striking set of Koa for the back and sides, and the calibre of German Spruce top that we’ve come to expect from Jason. 12-fret neck and 24.9” scale add a touch of extra warmth, and slip the setup into easy playing territory. Jason’s segmented headstock is here executed in Ebony and Mahogany; taken with the scalloped nut & saddle and “Stained Glass” rosette, the aesthetic of this Kostal 00 cuts a distinct figure that feels familiar and exciting at the same time. Wrapped up in a Hoffee flight case, this Kostal will be safe and sound wherever you take it.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, ervin somogyi, fingerstyle, parlor guitar, gotoh, EVO frets

Just when we thought our day couldn’t get better, this 2014 Kostal Jumbo strolled into the shop and taught us all what a Jumbo guitar can really sound like. This instrument is incredibly close to being the perfect guitar: from the desirably straight-grained Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce to the flawless finish and glass-smooth setup, Jason Kostal went above and beyond the call of duty to create a Jumbo unique and powerful enough to bear his name. Played in a variety of tunings, the voice of this Kostal remains the same, teeming with profound bass notes and a panoply of overtones in the middle and upper registers. The treble strings in particular have a springy, energetic response that lends themselves to brightening up your fingerstyle arrangements.

Now we’ve seen many instruments over the years in wonderful condition, but this Jumbo might take the cake: there’s practically no evidence of any scratches or dings, and the action is delightfully smooth and effortless. Of course we have high expectations for anything that comes out of Jason’s shop, but this Jumbo blew us away–and what’s more, it’s the first Jumbo Jason ever built under his own label! You can find this exact guitar on his site to represent Jason’s Jumbo design. And, wrapped up in a Hoffee carbon fiber flight case, this Jumbo will remain in such a flawless state for years to come.

Two words come to mind when you play a guitar from Jason Kostal’s Queen Creek, Arizona shop: depth, and clarity. Unlatch the case, place the harmony of wood and steel in your lap, and witness the majesty. Dream Guitars has been lucky enough to host several of Jason’s instruments in their shop, and today we have a 2015 Modified Dreadnoughtthat fully lives up to Jason’s impeccable reputation. This Modified Dreadnought combines the cavernous, resounding low-end of a Dreadnought with an upper register that is agile and expressive. Across these and all registers in between, the tonal palette is expansive, full of color and scope, such that all notes ring clearly–and will continue resoundingly for some time. Kostal’s picked out a sultry, dark chocolate set of Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, which help give the Mod D its dark, complex voice. Flatpickers seeking a tight, controlled response will be very happy with this guitar, and fingerstylists will cherish how balanced the registers are relative to one another. Kostal has included a Florentine cutaway for an edgy appearance and unrestricted access to the entire fretboard, a Manzer Wedge for comfortable playing, and Gotoh 510 Tuners with Ebony knobs for style and reliable tuning. When you consider his unique “Stained Glass” rosette and end graft, and his swooping segmented Brazilian Rosewood headstock veneer, you know you have a rare treat in your hands. This guitar plays as elegant as it looks–the German Spruce top combines silky grain and creamy color with endless sustain and haunting overtones.

Jason is a builder who stands by his work for all time, so any future Kostal owner, whether buying new or used, can purchase with the assurance that this is a lifetime guitar, one to treasure and play for many years to come, backed by the maker himself.

We’ve got a pair of lovely 2008 OMFS guitars from Lance Kragenbrink which were built as sisters, each with Cocobolo Rosewood for the back and sides, but with different top woods. This one is done up with a Cedar top for added warmth and depth, which helps to fill out the middle register of the voice and give this guitar a complex tone. Setup for fingerstyle, this Kragenbrink OMFS has an excellent string-to-string balance with trebles strings adorned with subtle overtones that add a lush color to your arrangements.

This OMFS is in superb condition with essentially no play wear, but has a sweet and opened-up tonality which makes it difficult to put down. We especially love Lance’s use of sapwood in these Cocobolo sets; the vibrant pop of yellow against red is a sight to see. Wrapped up in an Ameritage hardshell case, this Kragenbrink is perfectly safe and sound when not in use!

Featherweight build packs heavyweight tone. Our 2019 OM from Ray Kraut is a pale-topped knockout with Flamed Koa and Swiss Moonspruce—plays effortlessly, with fearsome tonal reserves waiting to be tapped. In short, we’re in love with this Kraut OM. Ray’s voiced this Swiss Spruce beauty for maximum responsiveness paired with an even temperament: from fret to fret and string to string, this Kraut remains balanced and clear. Open tunings are a dream on this machine, where the Koa back and sides lend a hint of dry woodiness that keeps clarity at the forefront of the voice. We tried and tried to make this guitar sound bad, but if there’s a flub note on this Kraut, we can’t find it. Weighing in at a scant 3.75lbs, it’s a study in fingerstyle finesse without parallel.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, somogyi, handmade, moon spruce, fingerstyle, dadgad, open d, swiss spruce, ameritage, rosette, brand new, 2019

Ray Kraut’s guitars are a testament to what’s possible at the bleeding edge of tone. This brand new Mod D is an immensely inspirational guitar that is consistently rich and present from fret one to 20, with surgically precise definition and sustain. African Blackwood back and sides, Italian Spruce on top, and one of Ray’s unique, one-off rosettes, a feat of African Blackwood and burl and arcing purflings. The neck carve and overall setup are butter smooth and effortless. We absolutely love playing this Mod D. Everything about it is elegant, intentional, and in harmony. We’re more than proud to be Raymond’s sole dealer for all these reasons and more.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, ervin somogyi, md, modified dreadnought, dreadnaught, dread, fingerstyle, alessi, hoffee

Our favorite guitars are those which fill us with childlike wonder. When a guitar makes you forget about the outside world, when you’re relaxed and excited simultaneously at the possibilities waiting along the fretboard beneath your fingers. Playing this brand new Kraut Mod D, it’s like breathing. Ray’s neck profile is slim, the setup glassy, and the 25.25” scale has a touch of added warmth in the lower mids to fill out the voice. From treble to bass, frets one to 20, this Kraut sings and rings like a piano. We love the consistent response across all the registers. There are no dead notes, no wolf tones, just smooth definition and clarity.
Madagascar Rosewood makes up the back and sides, as well as the fretboard and headstock veneer, and is paired with a pale Swiss Moonspruce top with Maple trim and Ray’s hallmark segmented Burl rosette. This guitar only weighs 4lbs 6oz, and projects each note easily at a light touch, and can also handle a more aggressive attack with aplomb.
A guitar like this is a form of inspiration that we don’t want to part with, sustained acoustic expression. Our brand new Kraut Mod D is a guitar with an immense amount to give.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, somogyi, fingerstyle, alessi, visesnut, dadgad, modified dreadnought, modified dreadnaught, fingerpicking, MD