Sound Pure's Take
Condition: Used, Excellent
From the moment it hits your hand, it feels like home. The deeper body and scale length give this guitar the authority you never thought it had. It's loud and boisterous, lively, and most importantly - fantastic. The Brazilian back and sides are full of sympathetic lush harmonies that swirl around overhead and the Sitka top is open and direct, perfect for some fingerstyle playing. As soon as you start to thump away you can feel the bass response on your chest with the top end shimmering and an open, sweet midrange. Simply put, it's the cream of the crop - you can't get much better than this.
SP Luthier Notes: Neck reset and setup
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 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.
Serial Number: 980
Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Back Wood: Brazilian Rosewood
Scale: 25 1/4"
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Frets To Body: 13
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood
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: Original Hardshell
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
Try Before You Buy: 48-hour audition. Program details →
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Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC
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