How are Santa Cruz guitars so good?!

I also want to applaud how well they handle problems!

I have ordered two guitars from them and on my first one after a year or two a tuner stopped working and they happily replaced it even though they don’t manufacture it.  My OM Grand had the saddle that was too low and when the local tech spoke with them, they paid to have it brought all the way back to “the mothership” and expedited it’s service.  They got it all fixed up and the volume and stuff improved.  I think they plek’d it while it was there, just super cool

They handle problems so swiftly, kindly, professionally, and whole heartedly which I think is just as important as how perfect they typically are!

It doesn’t get any better than SCGC ——— in all aspects!

Carolyn is first class all the way. She genuinely cares about SCGC customers to the point I personally feel pampered. Their repair abilities are otherworldly also.

My 2001 SCGC Vintage Jumbo just gets better every year, wish I did.  bert

It’s attention to detail.

ALL the details.

Nothing seems to be too small to matter.

That sets a standard that’s amazing across the board.

A number of us have had the pleasure of spending a little time in the workshop, and watching the luthiers at work. It really boils down to Richards expectations, and the way he approaches the tradition.  He’s a very strict traditionalist – he’s paid very close attention to the way guitars and other stringed instruments have been built, and whats worked, and what hasn’t. He took the best of what worked, and refined it through training, tooling, and jigs, so that each luthiers skills are able to be best used, and they are not “wasted” on aspects of the job better suited to a machine. And he went one very special step further – there are steps that can be done well by machine, but are done much better by hand, and those jobs are still done by hand – even though that labor makes the guitars more expensive. As he says, they don’t build to meet a price point, they build to make the best. One example is fitting the neck to the body – machinery and jigs can make that joint and that alignment very good, and most shops leave it at that (maybe throw in a couple bolts and some shims) – but the luthiers at SCGC spend a lot of time fine tuning that connection, with specially made measuring tools and jigs, flossing that connection (running strips of very fine grit sandpaper) by hand between the neck and body, removing a thousandth at a time, until it’s perfect in fit, and in the ways the neck aligns with the body.  And thats just one of numerous build details that are important to Richard, and all together, add up to make a Santa Cruz such a special instrument.

Every person with a SC guitar should tour the shop – in many ways, its both a let down, and awe-inspring. Awe-inspiring, because, well – if you have a SC instrument, you know. The let down? No secrets, no magic, nothing up their sleeves – just dedication to obtaining the best materials they can, and the willingness to put in the work and effort necessary to do it right, even if it costs a little more. Something any luthier could do, and that knowledge is something Richard shares freely. And yet, IMHO, no shop does it quite as well as Santa Cruz –

Richard has this at ease and sincere joyful ness that is inspiring and contagious..  Danny maybe some kind leprechaun will do his magic and find you away to make the crossing.

I am lucky enough to have owned several Santa Cruz guitars, all of which were great instruments but sold all of them (one to Tad) as my preferences developed and changed. Finally I knew what I wanted and ordered a custom Vintage Southerner-pretty close to standard specs but with some minor changes. The guitar is wonderful but I got a bonus: I live and work a couple miles from the factory and got to visit several times during the building of the guitar. How cool is that? It’s a beautiful day and I think I’ll take my VS and my dog to my favorite bench overlooking the Capitola wharf between my house and Carolyn’s house and play and sing for passers-by. 

bizango1, best wishes on your new VS. I’m a big fan of SCGC slope shoulders.  bert