While most builders are grabbing the last batches of endangered species of mahogany and rosewood, Kauer generally goes with Spanish cedar—aka South American mahogany—and ambrosia maple. “Spanish cedar is an amazing, warm, clear sounding mahogany that is also very light weight and ambrosia maple is just as fantastic sounding as Eastern maple,” says Kauer. “I’d rather put all my efforts into making the most of what I think is the best-sounding, most-reliable tonewoods available to build something I know will sound good and I won’t run out of… and to be honest, I’m tired of seeing 10-top after 10-top [laughs]. What I truly enjoy about the Spanish cedar and ambrosia maple is they create a familiar sounding guitar that still produces its own voice and character.” All of Kauer’s standard Daylighters are an offspring that is one-third-Jazzmaster—body style—one-third Les Paul—scale length, radius and humbuckers—and one-third Firebird—playing position and neck access. Pictured: Argonaut