2002 Santa Cruz Model D 12-Fret Dreadnought

Santa Cruz Model D 12 Fret 2002 full front view

Comments	The Santa Cruz Guitar Company was one of the earliest ‘Boutique’ guitar builders. Richard Hoover started building guitars around 1968, when information on the topic was hard to find; except for a very few books, you had to work with someone already building to really learn how it’s done (in Hoover’s case, Bruce McGuire, a classical builder) or just use trial and error with reference to existing instruments. By 1976, Hoover, along with William Davis and Bruce Ross, started the Santa Cruz Guitar Company to offer custom instruments to players who weren’t getting the quality or type of instruments they needed. The Model D 12-Fret was originally built by Santa Cruz for Norman Blake. The 12-fret neck moves the bridge closer to the center of the vibrating surface, increasing power and responsiveness. The top, bracing and large 4.25 inch sound hole deliver presence throughout the instrument’s range. This 2002 Santa Cruz Model D 12-Fret Dreadnought is in great playing condition. It speaks quite loudly and clearly, with lots of articulation and sparkle on the upper end, but without overwhelming bass. A very entertaining guitar to play!
Serial Number	3804; this dates the instrument to mid-2002, and built in Santa Cruz, California, USA.
Pricing	$2,850.00 CAD with case.
Neck	Mahogany neck with unbound ebony fingerboard and slotted peghead; ebony peghead overlay with mother of pearl Santa Cruz logo inlaid; 25.375 inch scale length and 1.75 inch nut width.
Frets	Original frets with minor play wear.
Body	Santa Cruz D-style dreadnought body with spruce top, mahogany back and sides and ebony bridge; herringbone binding on the top.
Finish	Original gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish in good shape; some play wear on the top, and naturally occurring lacquer checking.
Hardware/electronics	Nickel plated Waverly tuners, bone nut and saddle.
Playability/Action	Plays well and cleanly, with lots of room to move the action around. The Waverly tuners are very smooth.
Case	Original hardshell case included.