2013 Tobias Braun SP/MP

This is a beautiful instrument from Austrian luthier Tobias Braun, and as usual, he has used some spectacular materials including gorgeous German spruce which is covered in bearclaw and has irregular, yet tight and beautiful grain patters. The wood used for the back and sides is gorgeous flamed maple. The plantilla and bracing pattern of this guitar are Tobias' own, but he does admit that they reveal elements of two great guitars which have influenced him greatly throughout his career (Luisa Walker's 1924 Santos and a 1912 Manuel Ramirez). Tobias seeks to combine the warm, mellow basses of the Santos with the vivid, clear trebles and a transparent sound of the Ramirez. The result is a very clean sound, open and extremely loud, with a very robust, rounded, thick, yet clear quality. He also uses a small tornavoz, about 16mm deep, to increase projection and clarity. The resulting sound is not only beautiful, but has tremendous volume for a traditionally made guitar. Braun uses customized Rubner tuners with snakewood buttons which are engraved with his initials. An interesting aesthetic feature is the use of a key-motif in the rosette, which is borrowed from an ancient stone boundary marker located near Braun's workshop just outside of Vienna (see photo above). All in all, a very unique and engaging instrument.