Santa Cruz Guitar Build (Video & Photos)

**msr13** · 07-18-2012, 09:39 PM

I posted this on AGF, but thought I would share here, as well.

I was lucky enough to be present when the wonderful Santa Cruz folks put top and bottom together on my upcoming OM. Just seeing the unfinished woods and it coming together was awesome. The guitar should be done in the next week or so. Here are some initial shots. As guitar wonks, I thought the behind-the-scenes might be of interest to some.

Here is a video I took of the actual binding together. I am there with Richard Hoover, leading the tour, Eric Skye, player extraordinaire, and Sam, the craftsman building the work of art.

**msr13** · 07-18-2012, 09:40 PM

And, here are some pictures just taken as the guitar dries.

**msr13** · 07-18-2012, 09:41 PM

Here are some shots as they finish the build. I am like an impatient child, but the wait looks well worth it.

**g.lawless** · 07-19-2012, 05:59 PM

Gorgeous guitar! And the amazing thing about a Santa Cruz is they sound as good as they look

That top wood has me stumped though, is that cedar? Anyway, congrats!

**kenbennett** · 07-19-2012, 06:08 PM

Looks like Redwood.

**kenbennett** · 07-19-2012, 06:18 PM

I watched the video. It is Redwood. They call it Sinker Redwood. And they describe its acoustic characteristics as similar to Cedar.

**msr13** · 07-19-2012, 06:18 PM

It is indeed Redwood. Sinker Redwood with East Indian Rosewood B/S.

To sidetrack a little, here is a video we took of Eric Skye playing a 1929 OO they had in-house. Eric is playing McCoy Tyner's Contemplation. The guitar is really is really stellar and fun to play. The rattling and dog bark is one of SCGC's resident dogs.

**kenbennett** · 07-19-2012, 06:21 PM

Matt, you have a great looking guitar there. No doubt it will sound awesome.

Eric sounds good on that mahogany topped guitar too.

**mr. beaumont** · 07-19-2012, 06:58 PM

Daaaaaammmmn.

**msr13** · 07-19-2012, 07:31 PM

Thanks, Guys. It will be my second SC, and I am very happy to be getting it. It was actually a gift from a friend and client-- which makes it all the more special.

We also took more video of Eric playing and have an approximately 75 minute video of Richard giving us a tour of the shop, walking us through each phase of the build. It is getting edited now and I will post as soon as we have it.

**edh** · 07-20-2012, 12:48 AM

Curious, do they also build archtops or is acoustics what they focus on?

**g.lawless** · 07-20-2012, 01:42 AM

Flat-tops are what they're famous for but they've also offered archtops as a custom order in the past. Not sure if that's an option anymore ...

**msr13** · 07-20-2012, 09:34 AM

They in fact had a beautiful archtop there for purchase. A side project. Beautiful and way beyond my capacity. An incredibly talented bunch of builders.