Doug Kauer was working in his family's wood working business when around 2003 a piece of figured maple came into the workshop. Kauer decided to have go a making a guitar out of this piece of wood, setting in motion a series of fortuitious events that culminated in the formation of the Kauer Guitars company. Kauer is a boutique maker of high end solid body electrics, notable for their use of cedar or ambrosia maple for the bodies. Kauer also make Titan branded guitars in partnership with Grover Jackson which are more affordable boutique instruments.