Australian fingerstyle virtuoso Adam Miller was just in the GP studios shooting some video performances and a short lesson using his Traugott Model OO
http://www.guitarplayer.com/video.aspx?bctid=1756110643001§ion=Artists
My friend Raul Midón opening his new Traugott Model BK! It was an honor to build this guitar for such an amazing player.
THANK YOU Raul!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B85ZH-uUy4k&feature=player_embedded
Model BK cutaway "Tembererana" Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, German Spruce top, gold inlay by Larry Robinson http://robinsoninlays.com/
So excited to finish my new BK for Raul Midón!! If you want to know more about Raul see http://www.raulmidon.com/ and for info on the Tembererana inlay (by Larry Robinson, http://robinsoninlays.com/)
see his Ted talk :http://www.ted.com/talks/raul_midon_plays_all_the_answers_and_tembererana.html
Really STOKED my nephew Brady Cohan is the guitar player for American Idol this season!! He's been really killing it and they even let him do some acoustic tunes on his Traugott now and then. Here's a shot of him with his Model R, I guess having me as his uncle gives him a few fringe benefits. As one of his guitar-playing buddies said to me, "DAMN! my uncle is a plumber!"
Crazy things happen when Raul Midón is on stage alone. With his soaring, Stevie Wonderish voice and percussive, flamenco-inspired guitar style, he's a one-man orchestra who has created a strikingly beautiful body of original songs influenced by jazz, soul and Latin styles. - Andrew Gilbert / San Jose Mercury News 3/29/12
Our first player from Down Under, Adam Miller plays his new tune 'Parker' at the Slide Bar in LA on his Traugott Model OO, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md8yjGdMi3c
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For more on Adam Miller: www.adammiller.com.au
I just finished a new semi-hollow electric guitar for great guitarist Charlie Hunter! (www.charliehunter.com). This is my Model R shape, it has a solid spruce block in the center with a German spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides.
For those who aren't familiar with TED Talks, the goal of the TED foundation is to foster the spread of great ideas. It aims to provide a platform so that millions of people can gain a better understanding of the biggest issues faced by the world, and a desire to help create a better future. Core to this goal is a belief that there is no greater force for changing the world than a powerful idea. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share the TED experience. I was honored to give a talk for TEDx Santa Cruz and found it to be a really inspiring experience. So many great ideas! Some truly amazing people and stories, some, like one on solar power made me realize how I could and should make my own contribution. My talk is about how I see guitar making as a journey, one from the forest to the music. Please give a listen if you are interested, William Coulter plays my Model R guitar.
TEDxSanta Cruz: Jeff Traugott (w/ William Coulter) - Living to Live
"Guitarist Charlie Hunter and Luthier Jeff Traugott go under the hood of their ongoing Guitar Collaborations"
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Charlie Hunter Fans!! Now at a store near you! ( not available on line )
Check out the summer 2011 FRETBOARD JOURNAL #22, there is a big article about my collaboration with Charlie Hunter.
Get ready for the New West Guitar Group's newest CD, "Round-Trip Ticket" out this fall!www.newwestguitar.com
My wife Cori and I just delivered John Mayer's new guitar to his show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. We had such a great time, John hung out with us for a 1/2 hour, checking out the guitar and playing. We talked about guitars, the building process, design and music. He was so kind and generous with his time! The good news is he seemed to really dig the guitar!! You can check out his blog here.
Charlie Hunter was recently highlighted on NPR's Weekend Edition and gave an interview with host Liane Hansen to talk about his new album I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid, that was recorded in glorious mono. Charlie uses a seven-string guitar that I built for him so that he can play bass and guitar at the same time. You can check out the interview here, or his website here.