Played a Santa Cruz "Vintage Southerner"

[MichaelK]

OMFG

It sounds and feels like the biggest, prettiest-sounding, beautifully built old Gibson Hummingbird you've ever played. Nice burst finish, too. So warm and rich yet detailed. Impeccably voiced. I wish I had seen this before my birthday...

 

[The Eristic]

The VS is a variation of the VJ, which is perhaps my all-time favorite (new) acoustic guitar. If only I could afford one...

 

[riffmeister]

Big, rich, warm sounding guitar, for sure.

 

[Ogre]

Santa Cruz is making some of the best acoustic guitars in the world. I played a Brazilian rosewood OM with a Carpathian spruce top a couple of weeks ago, and it was magnificent!

 

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by Ogre
Santa Cruz is making some of the best acoustic guitars in the world.

I happen to agree.

 

[rjlaero1]

Is this on SC's website? Trying to find some pics.

 

[The Eristic]

Originally posted by rjlaero1
Is this on SC's website? Trying to find some pics.

You'll find it mentioned in a few places if you google it. Iirc from a discussion with Kelvyn, it's a VJ (slope dread, sitka on mahogany, 1 3/4" nut) w/ a shorter scale, different bracing, and slightly different cosmetic appointments.

 

[Mr.Hanky]

Originally posted by Ogre
Santa Cruz is making some of the best acoustic guitars in the world.

WERD!

The ONLY guitar I ever played that made me even consider trading in my D-41 was a SC OM with Koa back and sides, that guitar was alive, absolutely stunning.
Too bad it was $4500.

 

[Mark Kane]

A little shop in town has started carrying these. I never realized an acoustic guitar could be set up to play this easy and sound this good. They had a OOO sized guitar and still have a dreadnaught that are just incredible. You can pound them and they won't buzz and the action is so easy it's incredible. The tone is so full and musical with them and they are loud. My old D18 feels and sounds like an old Silvertone next to these.

 

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by Mark Kane
I never realized an acoustic guitar could be set up to play this easy and sound this good.

That's how I felt when I sat down with my OM/PW 5-1/2 years ago. I can't believe my luck, owning a guitar this nice that isn't a pre-war Martin.

A real eye-opener for me was visiting the shop when I was in town a few years ago. Richard Hoover personally took two hours out of his day to show me around and answer all my questions. His pride in his product and the pleasure he got from showing me his operation made a deep impression.

These guys meticulously voice every top to sound as good as it possibly can and build to impeccable standards. I've played a lot of new guitars by great builders and many of them are very fine instruments. But when I pick up a Santa Cruz I always say to myself, "Yeah, this is IT." It's a personal thing, they just speak to me in a way others don't.

 

[Mr.Hanky]

It definatly is a personal thing. I played a lot of guitars when I bought mine, I really didn't want a Martin cause they seemed very "mainstream" to me. Then just for ha ha's I picked up a D-45 and was blown away, I opted for the poor man's D-45, the D41.
This guitar always amazes me, even 10 years later.
I have NEVER played a Taylor that I liked, to me they all feel too stiff. I know he makes some great guitars but again, this is a personal thing.

 

[adirondack]

hey,

since a picture's worth a thousand words, here's some ambient noodling on a VS i recently played. now i understand the fuss about the old j45s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZVXnKGIi0g&mode=related&search=

 

[einstein]

got a 43 southerner jumbo restored and it is a crispy sounding geetar.Plays
easily, nothing like the reissues due to the great quality of the wood.

 

[Long2Play]

Richard Hoover is a genius luthier and one of the nicest cats you will ever meet. I love Santa Cruz Guitars!

 

[sonic romp]

I bought mine used in near-mint condition back in Jan/Feb of '04. Just think of it's sound after 3-years of opening up! Incredible warmth, stunning burst, and a 3-dimensional richness complexity, and sustain.


I came this close to selling it for an H13 (see my post from yesterday). Players literally came from out of the woodwork for it and I just got all clammy.

The string spacing is perfect for finger picking but a real jewel for strumming.

Pick one up used for 2/3 the price!

 

[Peppy]

Yeah, understand the Santa Cruz pull. Bought the first one I ever played...had to have it right then. Bought another a few years later and haven't looked back with any regret on either of them.