Details
This is a very early example of what was essentially the first standard Santa Cruz Guitars model. It has perhaps the most highly figured Hawaiian koa we've seen on one of these, and with the exception of a recent refret, plus a neck reset by SCGC, it's original throughout. There are no cracks to the back, sides, or neck, and what appears to be a crack in the top below the bridge is actually just the center seam of the book-matched spruce top. This guitar has been played a lot, as witnessed by the pick or finger wear around the soundhole, and there's small dings and scuffs to the finish throughout. The clear pickguard is also probably original, and while the outer edge of that thin 'guard is slightly loose replacing those clear pickguards is not major surgery since it was applied on top of the finish. Santa Cruz finishes from this era were thin, and on this guitar the light crazing of the lacquer and the way it has settled into the grain of the wood has resulted in the kind of vintage-vibe patina you just can't fake with artificial "distressing." The sound from this early 'Cruz is bright and balanced, with lots of headroom. Case is a hardshell that's later than the guitar.
Specs
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Back sides
Koa
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Binding
Ivoroid
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Bracing
X-Bracing
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Bridge
Ebony
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Finish
Nitrocellulose Lacquer
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Frets to body
14
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1 3/4"
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Scale length
25 5/8"
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Top material
Sitka Spruce
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Total frets
20
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Tuners
Grover Rotomatics
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Year
1979
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Case type
Hardshell
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Serial number
D59
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SKU
SANDKOA-D59
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UPC
120437
