Santa Cruz H13 Acoustic Guitar #980 - Used From Santa Cruz

A Stunning Santa Cruz H13 with a Brazillian Rosewood Body & Tortoise Binding.

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What We Think

Condition: Used, Very Good

SP Luthier Notes: The top seam was glued and resealed. Minor dents were drop-filled, color-matched, and refinished. All frets were leveled, re-crowned, and polished. A setup was completed. No further work was required.

The Santa Cruz H13 is a rare and resonant example of boutique American luthiery, pairing a vibrant Sitka spruce top with richly figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides for depth, shimmer, and remarkable harmonic complexity. Its 13-fret design and V-profile mahogany neck create a uniquely responsive feel, while scalloped H13 bracing brings warmth and nuance to every note. Brazilian rosewood appointments and herringbone trim add timeless elegance. Built with intention and artistry, this H13 is not only supremely playable, but a meaningful long-term investment for players and collectors alike.

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Manufacturer's Description from Santa Cruz

What’s up with thirteen frets? The historical precedent for this classic shape was the Gibson ‘Nick Lucas Special’ from the 1920’s and ’30’s, the one Bob Dylan holds in early photos. The “H” designation is an acknowledgement to the guardian of the lore of all things vintage and stringed, Maestro Paul Hostetter, who commissioned SCGC to build the prototype in 1978. In spite of the question of whether the historic 13 frets to the body had any basis in acoustic science, our reason for using it does.

SCGC’s concept for the H-13 is to achieve power beyond what would be expected in a small-bodied guitar. Two fundamental lutherie tricks make this possible: a longer string length (more downward pressure at the saddle) and more air space via a deeper body (increased volume and bass response). To place the bridge in the optimal position for power and maintain the longer string length, the neck needs to join the body at the 13th fret. Cool, huh? This is a gorgeous classic with power and presence expected from a much larger instrument. Perfect for aggressive fingerstyle blues and vocal accompaniment, the H-13 feels really sweet to hold.

About Manufacturer

Interested in building your custom Santa Cruz with us? Email us at acoustics@soundpure.com, or call us at (919) 682-5552! Richard Hoover began building guitars and carved-top mandolins in 1972. By 1976 his focus was on the modern steel string guitar. The task of becoming a master at all aspects of guitar making is a lifelong pursuit, and Richard has patiently refined his craftsmanship and knowledge as his company has grown. It was and is Richard's intent to translate his skills and sensitivities as an individual builder to an exceptional team of craftspeople, each of whom could become an expert in their specialty. Richard's style of allowing his craftspeople to interpret his vision has propelled Santa Cruz Guitar Company to the forefront of modern guitar making. Each Santa Cruz guitar receives an extraordinary amount of individual attention due to our "bench style" of building, which necessitates that each worker not only perform his own specialty, but also review the work of those who have completed stages before him. Over half of all the instruments that we build are custom orders, reflecting to a high degree the personality and unique playing needs of the buyer. Every guitar top is graduated and tuned by hand to attain maximum resonance and sustain, ensuring a high level of consistency of sound within each standard model line as well as the ability for custom voicing. The balance, tone, volume, and response of a Santa Cruz guitar are established before the guitar is strung. By limiting the number of instruments built, we can practice a style of lutherie born from a genuine love of the guitar, as opposed to a production line approach that might favor greater numbers at the expense of our attention to detail. We believe that our approach ensures that every Santa Cruz guitar is exceptional. Our intent is to create a uniquely sophisticated instrument that will inspire and challenge its owner throughout a lifetime.