NGD. Santa Cruz Tony Rice

reely989 · #1 01-02-2019, 04:16 PM

https://imgur.com/a/10rGtfw

Got this beauty a couple of weeks ago and I'm still ecstatic. Feels and sounds better every time I pick it up! It was a custom order I suppose-- it has a german spruce top in lieu of the standard Sitka. East Indian Rosewood back and sides. Came set up with santa cruz strings which I was prepared to hate-- but have actually fallen in love with. My dad has had one of these for roughly a decade and I'm sure that played a role in my buying the same model, but I love the tone. It's not as bass heavy as a lot of dreadnoughts, but the sustain is unreal, and the clarity up the neck is unbelievable. Very balanced sound. Bought from Artisan Guitars in Franklin, TN.

Edit: Looks like the image didn't work. I just made a link at the top of the post.

brencat · #2 01-02-2019, 04:39 PM

Congratulations! Santa Cruz is my favorite builder and Richard Hoover is a national treasure.

Play it in good health.

Rev Roy · #3 01-02-2019, 04:56 PM

Gorgeous! I’ve gotta find one of those to play one of these days. Congrats!

BTW: Love Santa Cruz Mid Tension strings. Especially on my (now gone) J-45. Sweet tone and play like lights but get the top moving like mediums.

Treenewt · #4 01-02-2019, 05:04 PM

Congrats! Every SCGC Tony Rice I've had the chance to pick up was a fantastic guitar, and I'm sure your's is the same. Enjoy that thing! Also, Artisan is a great store...only been once, but I'll never forget it!

Goodallboy · #5 01-02-2019, 05:08 PM

Years ago I played the SCGC Tony Rice Professional. This isn't that model is it?

Either are terrific instruments!

BrunoBlack · #6 01-02-2019, 05:09 PM

That’s a great guitar. Enjoy.

catndahats · #7 01-02-2019, 05:37 PM

Congrats!
Richard Hoover and crew really know how to make the parts work together.

Wade Hampton · #8 01-02-2019, 05:39 PM

Those are great guitars, and that one looks to be in impeccable condition. Congratulations on a nice score.

Wade Hampton Miller

Beakybird · #9 01-02-2019, 05:46 PM

The several Santa Cruz guitars I played sounded and looked worthy of their hefty price. Congratulations on your acquisition.

reely989 · #10 01-02-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

Years ago I played the SCGC Tony Rice Professional. This isn't that model is it?

Either are terrific instruments!

No, it isn't. The professional has Brazilian rosewood back and sides, and I believe has german spruce as standard. I'd have loved to have gotten a professional model, but I just can't justify the price difference right now.

reely989 · #11 01-02-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Gorgeous! I’ve gotta find one of those to play one of these days. Congrats!

BTW: Love Santa Cruz Mid Tension strings. Especially on my (now gone) J-45. Sweet tone and play like lights but get the top moving like mediums.

I couldn't believe the strings. I played them a while and thought "I bet this thing will really sing with some EJ17s!", but I couldn't tell much difference in tone, and the playability was markedly stiffer. I don't know what kind of voodoo they do in making those strings, but they are the best mix of tone and ease of play I've ever had.

Tnfiddler · #12 01-02-2019, 05:54 PM

Awesome guitar! How are they volume-wise?

reely989 · #13 01-02-2019, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

Awesome guitar! How are they volume-wise?

I don't find Santa Cruz to be real "cutters". They aren't going to overpower a banjo or anything like that. That's been my experience anyway. Not as cutting as a Collings or something like that. Others here are probably much more well versed in articulating what I'm trying to say.

min7b5 · #14 01-02-2019, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

Congratulations! Santa Cruz is my favorite builder and Richard Hoover is a national treasure.

.

I'm with you on both of those!

J Patrick · #15 01-02-2019, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reely989

I don't find Santa Cruz to be real "cutters". They aren't going to overpower a banjo or anything like that. That's been my experience anyway. Not as cutting as a Collings or something like that. Others here are probably much more well versed in articulating what I'm trying to say.

......Santa Cruz guitars are known for having a relaxed, played in vintage style tone but I had a 1998 Santa Cruz mahogany D that could cut your head clean off...my Santa Cruz TR does not have that kind of cut but it has plenty of volume and is really articulate....a great guitar to play with a banjo as it can lay down a pretty fat low end without mushing out but has enough bite when you play single notes to hold its own....and it’s a great fingerpicking guitar too...all in all the most versatile dreadnaught i’ve had to date...congrats on scoring a nice one...