Nik Huber Krautster III - 2-Tone Sunburst

To us at Lark, Nik Huber is one of the best private builders in the guitar industry today. His craftsmanship and playability are impeccable, and his attention to detail is second to none. Pick up the Krautster III and it feels like a guitar stripped down to the essence of rock. The solid Spanish cedar body has a rich, complex voice with clarity and balance, and at 7lbs 15oz it feels solid and substantial on a strap without ever being a burden. The fully painted semi-gloss 2-Tone Burst finish, with a black semi-gloss back and cream binding on the front, gives it a classic look with plenty of attitude.

How It Plays

The flame maple neck in the Standard Krautster carve, .88" at the 1st fret growing to .96" at the 12th, fills the hand without feeling like a club. The 25" scale gives the strings a slinky, relaxed feel, and the 10" to 14" compound radius keeps chords comfortable down low and lets bends stay clean as you climb. The East Indian rosewood fingerboard, with its bone dot inlays and bone nut at 1.67", feels smooth, warm, and familiar under the fingers. The double action truss rod keeps the neck dialed in, so it plays the same on the gig as it does in the shop.

How It Sounds

Dig in on the Häussel P90 “1956” in the neck and you get a bluesy, vocal voice with a lovely bite that’s all your own. Switch to the Häussel Krautster-B in the bridge and the tone tightens up with clarity and body, ready to push an amp into raw, powerful rock. A master volume, master tone, and 3-way toggle keep things simple, and the push/pull coil tap opens up a brighter, snappier voice when you want a change of pace. The Nik Huber 510 open gear tuners with tulip buttons and the non-adjustable aluminum stoptail keep everything steady and resonant.

The Look

Aged nickel hardware and a black/white/black pickguard set off the burst, with brushed gold bell knobs and a brushed cream switch tip adding a warm touch. The ebony peghead veneer finishes the headstock, and it comes home in a hardshell case.