“I design the guitar as a single unified aesthetic entity... my approach goes much deeper into how the aesthetics of the construction… create a beautiful playing experience.”
~ Raymond Kraut
Raymond Kraut is an Arizona-based luthier whose guitars emerge from a lineage of precision and responsiveness.
Trained at the Roberto-Venn School and mentored by the acclaimed Ervin Somogyi, Ray crafts instruments that honor traditional acoustic values while achieving modern clarity and voice.
His guitars feel as alive in the hands as they look, offering a playing experience rooted in both art and acoustics.
Responsiveness Above All
Trained under master luthier Ervin Somogyi, Ray prioritizes voice sensitivity, creating guitars that respond dynamically to every nuance of your playing.
Unified Aesthetic & Sound
Ray perceives each guitar as a single, harmonious work where structural integrity supports both beauty and playability, not just surface appeal.
Precision Meets Personality
Every instrument reflects thoughtful design and refined craftsmanship, resulting in guitars that balance strength, tone clarity, and expressive warmth.
Raymond Kraut Guitars FAQ
Common questions about Raymond Kraut acoustic guitars - the builder, the craft, and where to find one near Boston.
Where can I find a Raymond Kraut guitar near Boston?
The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts is an authorized Raymond Kraut dealer and carries his instruments at our showroom near Boston. Raymond builds in Tucson, Arizona, and his guitars are among the most exclusive and sought-after in boutique acoustic building - inventory is extremely limited. Contact us directly to discuss what is currently available or to get on his list.
Who is Raymond Kraut?
Raymond Kraut is a Tucson, Arizona luthier who trained at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and was subsequently mentored by Ervin Somogyi - one of the most influential acoustic guitar makers and theorists in the world, whose work on guitar acoustics and construction is considered foundational in the field. Raymond's philosophy centers on the guitar as a "unified aesthetic entity," where every structural and visual decision contributes to both beauty and playing experience, not just one or the other.
What makes Raymond Kraut guitars special?
The Somogyi lineage is the defining credential: Somogyi's emphasis on voice sensitivity and dynamic responsiveness runs through everything Raymond builds. His guitars are designed to respond to every nuance of the player's touch - not just loud or soft, but the full spectrum of articulation, dynamics, and tonal color that a skilled player can produce. Combined with Raymond's view of the guitar as a unified aesthetic work, the result is an instrument where structural integrity, beauty, and voice all serve the same end.
What is Desert Ironwood and why is it significant?
Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota) is a native Arizona hardwood and one of the rarest tonewoods in instrument building. It is federally protected on public lands, meaning instruments built with it rely on legally sourced private-land wood or carefully maintained stockpiles - making each instrument an essentially irreplaceable use of the material. Acoustically it is exceptionally dense and hard, producing a bright, detailed tone with strong sustain. The current in-stock Kraut Desert Ironwood 00 is a rare opportunity to own an instrument built with this material.
What is Moon Spruce?
Moon Spruce refers to tonewood harvested according to lunar cycles - typically during the winter full moon - a practice with roots in European Alpine forestry traditions. A number of boutique luthiers and European sawyers believe wood harvested at this point in the lunar cycle has lower sap content, more consistent cell structure, and superior acoustic properties once dried. The current Raymond Kraut 00 uses a Moon Spruce top alongside its Desert Ironwood back and sides, combining two of the most unusual tonewoods available in contemporary acoustic building.