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Old 12-08-2015, 06:17 PM
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Methos1979 Methos1979 is offline
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Default NGD: Santa Cruz Guitar Company OO 12-fret - aka, "The Stoner"

I'm back with the latest entry in my GAS-induced attempt to circumnavigate the guitar world by trying every guitar brand I can get my hands on! Those whom have read my reviews before know that 'pithy' is not in my vocabulary, so grab a libation of choice and buckle in...

I had a recently acquired Martin 000-28VS that I was just not bonding with the 1 13/16" nut width so I threw it back up on the AGF classifieds for sale or better yet, the next trading adventure. It didn't take long. I got hit up pretty quick for a couple trades, one of them being a Santa Cruz OO 12-fret guitar. Now, before you crucify me for calling it an OO instead of the 'proper' 00, know that Santa Cruz themselves call this guitar 'The OO' model. After some nerve wracking days on my part for a delay in shipping because of the increased holiday traffic and the USPS's crappy Tracking, the guitars were swapped. I've had the guitar really only a few days but already I've been really impressed with it.

First thing noticed - the case. Wow. I'd heard people rave about the Ameritage cases that come stock on most SCGC guitars but I'd never seen one. It's really quite something, a step above everything else I've seen so far in generally quality and appearance, especially the interior and the buckles. It's a good start. Pulling the guitar out of the case the next thing I'm shocked about is the weight. Or lack thereof. This is without a doubt the lightest guitar I've ever played. I knew that SC was known for making lightly built guitars, but it was still a shock to pick it up.

The guitar is your standard SCGC OO offering: Sitka spruce over Indian rosewood, ebony pyramid bridge and fret board with standard Martin-type diamond inlay pattern, slotted head stock with Waverly nickel open tuners with brass gears and Ivoroid buttons. Bone nut and saddle measuring in at 1 3/4" and 2 3/16" respectively and 24.75" scale mahogany neck. Ivoroid binding top and bottom, all the way around the neck and head stock with SCGC logo inlayed on head stock with ebony overlay - sharp looking. Tortoise pickguard.

Playing-wise the guitar sounds incredible. It is extremely resonant and quite loud for such a small box guitar and responds to the lightest touch. I had a Martin 00-28VS some time back and I really liked that guitar as well and as I got away from the 1 7/8" nut width of that guitar I often thought that one day I'd make my way back to an 00-sized 12 fret spruce/rosewood guitar and here I am. So far I've been very impressed with the tone of the guitar and I'm enjoying playing it. Sitting on the couch late at night (I work evenings) unwinding after work and playing some songs the guitar just seems to melt into my arms and the songs spring from the strings with the lightest of touches.

The one and only down side to this guitar so far is the 2 3/16" string spacing. In a perfect world, 1 3/4" nut and 2 1/4" spacing is my Zen. I'm a fingerstyle player so I'm finding the 2 3/16" spacing a little tight. I'm going to play if for a few weeks, get through the Christmas holiday and give it a really good evaluation to see if I can acclimate to it. My other two current guitars are a Martin 000-28EC (2 1/4") and a Kronbauer SMB (2 5/16") and I've been A/B/C'ing them for a few days. Time will tell.

The Kronbauer might be heading out in a trade here soon so I'll lose my small couch guitar. I can see this becoming a favorite replacement. One thing is for sure is that I can see more guitars from Santa Cruz in my future. During the trip to The Music Emporium I came across a SC F Custom that was right up my alley: Italian spruce top, beautiful figured cocobolo back and sides with sapwood, flamed Koa binding, 1 3/4" nut, 2 1/4" spacing and a short scale - those last two things are custom for SC. But it also had a 'guitar shop' price, i.e. expensive!

But in the meantime I'll continue to lay back on the couch and let the soothing West-coast tones of a guitar made in California wash over me and take me away. It just has that care-not, bohemian stoner lifestyle vibe to it. But the real reason I named it "The Stoner", the serial number: 420.

Photos to follow.

Last edited by Methos1979; 12-17-2015 at 06:47 PM.
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Old 12-08-2015, 06:21 PM
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Methos1979 Methos1979 is offline
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Old 12-08-2015, 08:57 PM
James V James V is offline
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That is a beautiful guitar.
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Old 12-08-2015, 10:18 PM
Treenewt Treenewt is online now
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That is awesome Methos. I hope you can adapt to the strong spacing, cause that's a beautiful piece!
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Old 12-09-2015, 12:42 AM
teleamp teleamp is offline
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Very nice, congrats.
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Old 12-09-2015, 12:57 AM
mercy mercy is offline
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Santa Cruz guitars are made in Santa Cruz which in Northern CA. I wish they had their shop here but alas too far to travel for me.
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Old 12-09-2015, 05:14 AM
futboljim futboljim is offline
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Very nice, and live the name/serial connection.

Btw, I believe I've played Italian/cocobolo you mention on a recent trip to Boston. It was jaw dropping the tone and beauty of that guitar. Out of my price range, but I hope that someday I'll find something like it when I have the ability to fund it.
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Old 12-09-2015, 05:31 AM
chitz chitz is offline
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Methos, she's beautiful! Opa!
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Old 12-09-2015, 07:27 AM
djg djg is offline
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Lovely.

I don't have one of their 00s, but an SCGC OM has been my main guitar for 20 years now. Enjoy that guitar -- I bet it's wonderful.
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Old 12-09-2015, 07:33 AM
dneal dneal is offline
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Congrats!!!
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Old 12-09-2015, 09:23 AM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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Very nice guitar. Congratulations! I have played some great Santa Cruz guitars and it is nice when you find a keeper. I imagine you will adjust to the string spacing just fine over time.

Best,
Jayne
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Old 12-09-2015, 09:33 AM
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nedray nedray is offline
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Beautiful. Good trade too, for a 000-28vs, although I have one of those and it is also a great guitar. I just picked up my new SC OM yesterday and totally understand your response to your OO. They weigh nearly nothing and just sing under the lightest touch. Mine has a European spruce top, so the headroom is good with a flat pick too. I have no issue with the bridge spacing and expect to play this one for many years.
Anyway, congrats on yours.
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Old 12-09-2015, 09:58 AM
zmf zmf is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Methos1979 View Post
I'm back with the latest entry in my GAS-induced attempt to circumnavigate the guitar world by trying every guitar brand I can get my hands on!
Wow. Really wheelin' and dealin'. Not my thing, but I wish it was.

Gotta love those light-weight Santa Cruz.
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:30 AM
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jim_pridx jim_pridx is offline
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NICE! Congrats!
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:51 AM
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Methos1979 Methos1979 is offline
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Thanks to all so far for the comments. The guitar continues to impress. As hoped, the spacing is fast becoming a non-issue. If anything it's making my playing more precise and kicking it up a notch. At the very least it's making me actually THINK more about what I'm doing with regards to my right hand technique.

To answer/comment on a few posts: The trade for the Martin was not a straight trade, I gladly kicked a few dollars his way to make the relative value even. Thanks for setting me straight on the relative location of Santa Cruz, CA (northern vs. southern!). futboljim - that SCGC F Custom haunts me... I completely agree with your opinion of the tone - jaw dropping. If I was in the market for 'the one' or my last guitar ever, that might be the one. But I'm not quite there. I'm hoping someone else buys and then it shows up here someday for a few grand less! I'm trying not to go back down there as I'm terrified it will follow me home!

I have to say, I love this trading thing I've been doing. It's been almost 3 years since I started and for the price of one really nice new boutique guitar (even less, let's say around $5k) I have bought/played/owned/sold/traded at least 10 really nice guitars that I would never have had the chance to even play in a store. It has helped me immensely in determining what my tastes in guitars are as I slowly boil it down to the very essence of what I want/need/like in an acoustic guitar. This is the most fun I've had with a hobby in a long time! Like a little kid, I can't wait to see what pops up next!
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