Santa Cruz Guitars

Subject: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Auggie
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 12:45 PM

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a Santa Cruz guitar (and perhaps once again proving to my family that a fool and his money are soon parted).

Anybody out there with any personal Santa Cruz experiences?

With any horror stories I should hear before I spend what ought to be my retirement money?

Or more hopefully, with glowing recommendations of Richard Hoover's little guitar company and its products?

Thanks

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 12:54 PM

I think that horror stories would be non-existent as these are guitars built to the highest standard, but you've come to the right place for opinions of this sort. Personally, I've never heard one I didn't like. If it passes initial inspection, it'll be a keeper, unless it's got previous owner issues.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 01:37 PM

I can't see how you could go wrong - after all, Tony Rice plays or did play one ....

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Dave Swan
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 02:49 PM

Richard Hoover is an old friend of one of my singing partners. When were in Santa Cruz for a job last year, Richard joined us for lunch then took us on a tour of his shop. He maintains several microclimates throughout the building, each appropriate to the wood's needs. We saw the operation from stumps to finished guitars being set up. At each and every station the craftsman took his time with us, but was eager to get back to work. The care, precision and dedication of Richar's staff is obvious. His tool room caused me to slobber. At the tour's end Richard shut down production for a few minutes and asked us to sing in the room in which he delivers guitars. You can imagine the accoustics. We had a warm reception from his staff, who then hurried back to work.

That's what I know about his shop. I'm not a guitar player, but I can recognize dedication, process, and quality control. I can certainly recognize full, clean, warm tone in a guitar, and that I heared in everythin in the shop.

Cheers,

D

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Dave Swan
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 02:50 PM

Hit submit too soon. Forgive the typos in the second graph.
D

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Spot
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 03:57 PM

Allo Auggie...just get one..mine's fabulous!!

                      Regards to all Spot

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: kendall
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 04:17 PM

I've only played one Santa Cruz but it was an outstanding instrument that I would be proud to own.

Sorry about the lack of negative comments, did I spoil my reputation?

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 05:11 PM

Although I prefers Collings guitars { after all I live it Texas } I don't think you can go wrong with a Santa Cruz. One of the best sounding new guitars I ever played was a SC 000 12 fret slothead. What model are you thinking of buying ? Also - there is a Santa Cruz forum if you would like to talk to other SC owners.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: mooman
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 05:28 PM

I don't own one but have played several.

They are... simply excellent.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 05:37 PM

I think they're great too!
On a visit to London I had the chance to try out a couple of Santa Cruz guitars as well as a bunch of Collings and a whole host of other quality guitars (not something you can do in the local shops) and found the Santa Cruz came out best (for me).
I would have been thrilled to walk off with any of them if my budget would allow, but the Santa Cruz really suited me.
(Sigh!) one day.............

C-flat.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: dwditty
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 05:58 PM

As an owner of Both Collings and Santa Cruz, I second Wesley's emotion - the two guitars are worlds apart though.

The Santa Cruz is a Custome Model H 12 string - all Koa with beautiful 42 style top inlay. A more beautiful guitar you won't find. I did have a problem - a top brace let go (which I am told is unusual) causing the top to start to bow behaind the bridge. In that condition it was impossible to tune.   It is fully warrateed, though, so off to the SC repair shop. I got it back a few months later. While the brace was reglued, the top was still a bit too round for me. A JLD bridge system ($50) has fixed that, and now it plays beautifully.

The Collings is a 000-2H - 12 fret...spruce/rosewood. This is my main guitar, and I cannot count the number of times people have commented on the sound. I used to keep it safe and sound at home, but now I use it to play out. I came to the conclusion that if anything ever happens to it, I will simply beg, borrow, or steal to replace it.

The are so many wonderful guitars made these days. My advice is to shop the one that grafts to your soul...whatever make it winds up being.

dw

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 07:47 PM

I think James Keelaghan has one. A friend of mine, Judy Domeny Bowen has one and it is a jewel. Great sound, great action, and pretty as a pup ( That's the guitar---I wont comment on Judy since she's married to a big ol' guy!) :-)

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Auggie
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 10:24 PM

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I'm looking at a 00 size, spruce and rosewood 12 fret with a slotted headstock. I have a couple of other guitars for flat picking and strumming (OK, banging) but thought this would be perfect for finger picking.

And rest assurred Kendall, I'll keep your comments to myself so that your reputation remains unsullied.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 10:45 PM

I've had both the model H (spruce & koa) and a OM/PW. They are both great guitars. I still have the OM and some visitation rights on the model H. I had used the model H in CGCGCD tuning as it really took the low C resonance well. My main, mostly picky I admit, objection was that the guitar sounded great un-capoed, but not as bright capoed. The OM/PW model sounds great overall, capoed, or not in a variety of tunings. I had a highlander SA mic installed and it sounds great with a PA or by itself.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 10:46 PM

Oh yeah, and another thing... I'd brought the OM/PW up to Goderich to show off to Mooh a couple years ago.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 03:14 AM

Played several, own one-love 'em.
Tell your family that the quality will be wondered at, long after the price is forgotten (it might work).

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Wesley S
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 11:06 AM

Here's the address of the Santa Cruz players forum.

http://santacruzguitarplayers.com/forums/

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 11:14 AM

Can't go wrong - they're a great guitar - I'd love to add one to my (small) collection, but money and space are both finite

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 11:36 AM

I've had an OM/PW for several years. If I was told that I'd have to get rid of all my guitars except one, it's the one I'd keep.

Subject: RE: Santa Cruz Guitars
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 12:21 PM

Yet another unnecessary endorsement:
I bought a Tony Rice model from a friend a few years back and it is excellent. I have also played a couple of different models owned by very well known and successful pro musicians, and found them equally as gratifying to play.

Hoot