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Sound Pure's Take


Condition: Used, Excellent

H13s are already a shop favorite--imagine our delight when this gorgeous figured specimen came through the door!  The H13s offer unreal presence and complexity in such a small body.  Body depth and scale length say dreadnought while the body width and curvature say OO.  Whether you're a fingerpicker looking for huge presence and projection unavailable in even OMs or a flatpicker looking for focused, concentrated response that eludes even most slope shoulders, this is the clear choice. Everyone from Blind Blake to Maybelle Carter to Andrés Segovia would have been thrilled to get their hands on a H13 like this--you'll be just as thrilled to find just how superlative an instrument it is!

From Santa Cruz Guitars

What’s up with thirteen frets? The historical precedent for this classic shape was the Gibson "Nick Lucas Special" from the 1920s and '30s, 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.

Completed in 2013

Serial Number
1414

Full Body Sunburst

Top Wood
Italian Spruce
Back Wood
Figured Mahogany
Scale
25 1/4"
Nut Width
1 3/4"
Frets To Body
13
Serial Number
1414
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Bracing
H13 Scallop/Tapered
Headstock Shape
Square
Headstock Overlay
Rosewood
Headstock Inlay
SCGC Logo
Tuners
SCGC Nickel
Inlays
Dots
Rosette
Violin Purfle Combo
Purfling
Herringbone
Body Binding
Tortoise
Backstrip
S29
Pickguard
Tortoise Style
Nut Material
Bone
Saddle Material
Bone
Bridge Pins
Ebony
Neck Profile
V
Body Depth
4.875"
Lower Bout Width
14.5"
Upper Bout Width
10.375"
Waist
8.75"
Case
Hardshell Case Included

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.