2015 Tobias Braun SP/ZR

This is the latest from Tobias Braun, and as usual, he has used some spectacular materials including gorgeous German spruce which has a fair amount of bearclaw embedded in the irregular, yet tight and beautiful grain patters. The wood used for the back and sides is gorgeous ziricote, which (because it can be brittle) Tobias reinforced with thin strips of Japanese paper, barely visible from an interior inspection. Japanese paper does not have any natural "tearing direction" - in other words the fibers run in all directions. Tobias sister, who is a book binder, recommended this to him. 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. All in all, a very unique and engaging instrument that is simply a joy to play.