❌SOLD❌ Santa Cruz D Model Guitar Natural, 2012

The Dreadnought is one of the most prevalent guitar designs, and the Santa Cruz D Model is built to improve its midrange and top end response without compromising its low end and volume.

Founded in 1976 by Richard Hoover, the Santa Cruz Guitar Company was one of the first steel string ’boutique’ guitar companies – small custom shops had long been in operation throughout Europe for Classical and Flamenco instruments.

Here we’re looking at a Santa Cruz D model built during 2012 in Santa Cruz, California. This guitar features a Sitka Spruce top paired with Indian Rosewood for the back, sides and headp plate. The bridge and bound fingerboard are Ebony, and the neck and body blocks are Mahogany. This example is in overall good clean condition, with minor wear. There is a small mark below the ‘belly’ of the bridge, possibly from an errant string change. The finish is naturally sinking lightly, and there is a bit of normal lacquer checking. Fret wear is minor.

This guitar plays very well and has the full, rich sound and volume of a Dreadnought, and as described below, has improved midrange and upper frequency response. It’s a very good, even sounding guitar, combining the full body and depth of a Dreadnought with the upper and clarity and articulation of a 000 or OM style guitar.

The original hard shell case is included.

Here is what the builder says about the Santa Cruz D Model:

“The Dreadnought: the design that introduced boutique lutherie. In the early 1970’s, it was the rare player who would consider any guitar smaller than a dreadnought. Stellar players were handicapped by the traditional D’s predominate bass and thin trebles. The strength of the typical dreadnought guitar is in its power and volume, which is achieved by the guitar’s large body size. The increased air space also gives the instrument a predisposition to the bass range, an asset to some playing styles and a detriment to others.

The Santa Cruz D Model has a unique tapered bracing, voiced to enhance the midrange and treble without compromising the bass volume. This voicing gives the D Model a more even balance and a greater versatility than traditionally braced dreadnoughts. The Santa Cruz Guitar Company Dreadnought Model was carefully conceived to accommodate the modern player’s need for sophisticated balance with more substance in midrange and treble. To deliver these qualities in the acceptable dreadnought-sized body required a very non-traditional approach, as compared to the factory offerings of the day. Using time honored lutherie skills, SCGC created a Trojan Horse – familiar on the outside, dangerous on the inside. SCGC’s innovative D Model remains a mainstay of artists who require acoustic volume without compromising the quality of higher frequencies.”