2007 Dake Traphagen "35th Anniversary" CD/CSAR

This is a beautiful and meticulously-made guitar from one of America's most well-known luthiers, Dake Traphagen. For this limited run of only 8 instruments, built to celebrate 35 years of guitar making, Dake pulled out all the stops and used his best and oldest woods that he had been collecting for thirty-five years - some up to 275 years old. Detailing on this instrument is also exceptional - the rosette features elaborate and stylish marquetry, with an internal "rope" band as well as the use of mother-of-pearl inlays in place of a central mosaic. Additional MOP inlays in the tie block and a delicate, half-herringbone top purfling giving it a very elegant appearance. Tuners are Rodgers.

The sound of this instrument is as elegant as its appearance. It has a smooth, round and balanced tone, with a fat, almost "juicy" quality to every note. It has surprisingly quick response similar to the instruments of Miguel Rodriguez (of whom Dake is very fond). It is a fun guitar to play, and has great projection that could easily fill any concert hall. Being a cedar top, it has a full and big-bodied richness in each note without losing clarity and separation between voices. It recently had some minor repairs done to the sides (repaired cracks with glue only) and a fresh re-fret by German Vazquez Rubio, as well as some finish touch-up. This is Dake Traphagen at his finest - an exceptionally well-made, great-sounding and beautiful instrument by any standard.