Lutherie Perfection from a Legendary Designer

The Knaggs Chesapeake Severn Trem represents the pinnacle of modern boutique guitar craftsmanship, combining Joe Knaggs' passion for classic Stratocasters with decades of experience gained at PRS Guitars. After 25 years as Production Manager, Director of R&D, and head of Private Stock at PRS, Joe Knaggs created instruments that represent his own refined vision of the ideal S-style guitar.

Exceptional Construction and Design

The Severn Trem maintains the classic 25.5" scale length but introduces innovations that set it apart from the competition. The set-neck construction with its distinctive "boat bow" heel provides exceptional sustain and resonance. Deeper body cutaways offer superior upper fret access, while the contoured C-profile neck with a slight V provides comfort across the entire fretboard.

Sound and Versatility

The HSS configuration in this guitar combines the best of both worlds: a powerful Bareknuckle Aftermath humbucker in the bridge for high-gain clarity and Fralin Blues Specials single coils in the neck and middle positions for classic, dynamic tones. The combination of an alder body with quilted maple top and ebony fingerboard creates an instrument with exceptional tonal balance—both warm and articulate.

Proprietary Chesapeake Tremolo System

Instead of traditional knife-edge construction, the proprietary Chesapeake bridge uses a hinge system that increases string vibration and sustain while providing rock-solid tuning stability even after aggressive dive bombs. This is a design created by someone who understands what professional guitarists need.

Green Jade Burst Finish

The stunning Green Jade Burst finish on quilted maple is a visual feast—subtle color transitions highlight the natural figure of the wood, creating an instrument that looks as good as it sounds. The wenge pickguard and black headstock complete the refined aesthetic.

Craftsmanship at the Highest Level

Every detail of the Severn Trem has been carefully considered: from the hand-fitted maple neck with its perfect profile, through the precisely installed bone nut and Kluson tuners, to the professional setup with 10-46 strings. This guitar weighs only 3.44 kg, making it exceptionally comfortable during long playing sessions.

Who Is This Guitar For?

The Severn Trem is an instrument for players who appreciate the difference between a good guitar and an exceptional one. If you're looking for an S-style guitar built by someone with 25 years of experience creating some of the world's finest instruments, with innovations based on decades of practice, the Knaggs Severn deserves your attention.

Sound engineers in recording studios regularly comment on the perfectly balanced sound of the Severn. This is a guitar that delivers professional performance without compromise—from sparkling cleans, through rootsy Americana, to modern high-gain tones.

Technical Specification

Model: Severn Trem
Color: Jade Burst
Finish: Gloss
Top: Quilted Maple
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Neck profile: 850"/.860" ½ fret to .940"/.950" 12 ½ fret
Neck shape: Knaggs C w/Slight V
Fretboard: Ebony
Pickguard: Wenge
Fretboard Radius: 8.5"
Scale: 25.5"
Headstock: Black
Frets: Nickel
Number of frets: 22
Tuners: Gotoh
Bridge: Chesapeake Trem
Nut: Bone
Nut width: 1 5/8"
Switch: 5-way blade
Controls: 1x Volume, 2x Tone
Pickups: HSS: Bareknuckle Aftermath/Fralin Blues Specials
Strings: 10-46
Weight 3.44 kg