TRAPHAGEN

We have known Dake Traphagen for almost forty years and have sold many of his guitars both new and used during this time. We have always been impressed by the power, definition, and clarity that he consistently is able to achieve in the voice of his instruments. These very desirable characteristics are the hallmark of his excellent craftsmanship, and performers will immediately appreciate and enjoy the responsiveness that these traits provide. Just as the raw horsepower and superior handling of a fine sports car will thrill a talented driver and enable one to test the limits of their skill, likewise, the innate musical potential of this guitar not only will elevate a player's heart rate, but also will allow the character and refinement of one's musicality to flourish. 

This 2009 example, named “Athens,” could set your heart racing just by its appearance alone. Clean, crisp, and purposeful, this instrument features stunning Jacaranda Brazilian rosewood back and sides with a sumptuous reddish brown hue which provides a gorgeous foundation for its light brown old growth German spruce top which, interestingly, has two book-matched darker center grain striations resembling racing stripes. Further, its simple ebony body binding with a 3-ply purfling serves to frame ones attention on the only dressed out features of the guitar - a custom wooden marquetry rosette with Snakewood sectioned center ring and rope boundry, and a satin Brazilian rosewood bridge highlighted by a MOP tie block cap with a rectangular rope bound MOP center section. Likewise, its muted satin Brazilian rosewood headplate serves to highlight the last ornamental feature of this guitar - its beautiful custom crafted Rogers gold tuning machines with ebony buttons. In sum, the construction of this guitar is a virtuoso performance by Dake featuring simple themes that have been beautifully and artfully executed.

This guitar in superb structural condition and has only a trace of handling and/or playing wear to report. As such, we would rate its cosmetic condition as Excellent+.

• Premium German Spruce Top
• Premium Jacaranda Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides
• 7-Fan Top Bracing with Secondary Veneer Reinforcement
• Rosewood Binding
• 3-ply Wooden Back and Side Purfling
• Snakewood with Marquetry Rosette
• French Polished Shellac Body Finish
• Spanish Cedar Neck
• French Polished Shellac Neck Finish
• Ebony Fingerboard with very Slight Elevation
• Brazilian Rosewood Headstock Veneer
• Brazilian Rosewood Bridge
• 12-Hole Tie Block with MOP Cap and Wooden Marquetry Inlay
• Custom Rogers Gold Tuning Machines with Fish Scale Base Plate and Ebony Buttons
• Bone Nut with Scalloped Face
• Bone Saddle with Scalloped Face
• 52  mm Nut Width
• 8.50 mm String Spacing
• 650 mm Scale Length
• K&K Pure Mini Pickup
• Hoffee Carbon Fiber Travel Case