Charles Traeger

Charles Traeger (17 December 1925 - 9 November 2016) was an American jazz musician (double bass) who also emerged as an author on musical instrument making. He created what became known as "Traeger Principal," which says that all elements of the bass vibrate and thus play a role, however large or small, in the sound of the instrument. 

He is also known as "Chuck" Traeger or Charlie Traeger in the jazz circuit.

Charles Traeger was born as Charles Victor Traeger on December 17, 1925, in New York City, to Dr. Cornelius & Janet (Reisner) Traeger.

Traeger graduated with a BS degree in civil engineering from the Columbia School of Engineering in 1959. This was after he had already established himself as a successful jazz musician in New York.

From the mid-1940s, Traeger played in New York with such acclaimed jazz musicians as Sidney Bechet, Bunk Johnson/Matt Carey, Lester Lanin, Sidney De Paris, Freddie Moore, Eddie Barefield, Sammy Price, Art Hodes, and Louis Armstrong. His first recordings were made in 1945. Circa 1947, he played and recorded with Bunk Johnson at Central Plaza.

In the 1950s, he was a member of Bob Wilbers Wildcats before continuing his education. In 1959, he earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Columbia School of Engineering. 

Ten years later, in 1969, Traeger opened his first stringed instrument repair shop as a luthier specializing in the acoustic bass violin. He became known in the business for being able to extract the best tone and sound out of the bass instrument. In 1977, he had a shop in Greenwich Village. 

In addition, he worked as a musician until 1995 and then authored three books (listed below) about the possibilities of technically improving the sound of the double bass.

Traeger also served on the Town of Highland, New York's Planning Board, and Board of Assessment Review for over 20 years.

• Setup And Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound: A Manual for Players, Makers, And Repairers – December 30, 2004
• String Instrument Setups: 10 Setups That Will Make Your Instrument Louder, Better and Easier to Play – February 1, 2017
• Coda to The Setup & Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound Paperback– August 1, 2009

Traeger was married to his wife June (Savage) Traeger who passed on October 6, 2016.

Traeger died on November 9, 2016, in Port Jervis, New York. He was 90 years old.