Santa Cruz H Models?

[MajesticShaver]

Hi, soliciting some advice for my first SCGC guitar purchase. I tend to like the smaller bodied guitars, so I’m intrigued by both the H13 and a shorter scale H12?

Is the H13 a deeper bodied guitar than the H12?

My playing style is best characterized as singer-songwriter in a folk pop style with both flat picking and fingerpicking.
Any thoughts or observations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[indexless]

Welcome Majestic! Thanks for the questions…I’m sure there will be a robust response!

[Acoustic Soul]

Had an h13 and loved it.  Although I ordered it in EIR and wished I had done adirondack mahogany.  Santa cruz does mahogany so well and I personally think it suits their voicing.  The H13 is enchanting.

 

I sold it to get an OM Grand because I needed more airspace and more low end to support strumming and singing.  Although the smaller Santa Cruz guitars are loud, I find they are not suited to all out gusto – more for ‘sensible’ playing.  I think the H13 would do great for folk.  Yes it has a deeper body.

For your first one… I would suggest going certainly for any upgrades you want.  Adirondack, mahogany, hide glue… they build a great guitar but the upgrades take it all the way there to 100% in my opinion.

It does have a bluesy folky enchanting sound in the H13, different than OO

[Hank]

https://santacruzguitar.com/otis-taylor/………….My O.T. provides ALL you want.

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1993 Martin HD-28 IR/Sitka
2001 SCGC F Cutaway Maple/German
2008 SCGC OT Madi/Italian
2015 SCGC OM “The Tree” Hog/ European
2016 SCGC 1934 D45 Braz/ Adi
2016 Taylor K62 CE Limited Edition 12 string all Koa
2019 SCGC FTC Granadillo/Redwood
Life is a journey…not a guided tour,
The Bay,The Gulf Stream , The Open Ocean are particular about who they share their secrets with.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by Hank.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by Hank.

[haasome]

I owned an H13 Adirondack/Mahogany. I loved the guitar for finger style, but couldn’t quite make it work to my taste using a pick. It was a dream to play with plenty of head room and I can’t quite put my finger on why it didn’t work for me. I found it to be very dry with a strong focus of fundamental tone. After  1.5 years of trying to love it, I moved it along. I thoroughly enjoy my SCGC OM (euro/EIR) and SCGC OMG (euro/Cocobolo). I still think about the H13 though and might circle back to that model at some point.

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– Paul –

[Acoustic Soul]

Haasome that is spec for spec my same experience

[MajesticShaver]

Thank you so much for your input, I’m definitely looking forward to customizing it to the extent my budget will allow.

[MajesticShaver]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience, very useful information.

[MajesticShaver]

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll give that model a look as well.

[Old 97]

My favorite Cruz lately have had either Sitka or Redwood tops.

[tadol]

I’d not worry so much about the woods – worry about the specs (nut, saddle, neck shape, scale) and really understand what you want in terms of tone & attack, how you like the balance, and if you’re playing for yourself, or performing for others.  Then, find some time to talk to Richard or Carolyn and see what they think they can recommend or build for you.

Or, keep your eyes open and try as many as you can get your hands on – you may even enjoy finding one or two used to buy and spend some time with. You generally can’t go wrong with a used Santa Cruz –

I’ve heard so many people who just love their H-13 – I just didn’t bond with one. Not yet, at least. That said, I love my H-14, and I would love to try out an H-12 – and yes, SCGC does some incredible work with mahogany!

[MajesticShaver]

That’s interesting you mention that, I’ve been thinking a Redwood top and Mahogany back and sides H-13 would be a pretty cool combination.

[MajesticShaver]

Good suggestion Re: meeting with SCGC. I’m actually going to be visiting SCGC later this week for a tour and sone time with Richard; I’m sure he’ll guide me in the right direction.

[indexless]

My H was magical

[RetiredFire]

I have a rosewood/adi H13 that I ordered with a wider nut and bridge spacing. I love the robust tone and prominent bass…not bad for a smaller body guitar. I play primarily finger style but some strumming…does both very well.  It also plays well tuned down. Overall, a beautiful, multipurpose guitar built in the usual Santa Cruz perfection.

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2019 SC 000 mahogany/European spruce
2018 SC H13 rosewood/Adirondack spruce
2020 SC 00 Skye cocobolo/Adirondack spruce (summer)
2012 Martin 00028VS rosewood/Sitka spruce

[Hank]

I play my H-13 O.T. almost every day….Madi/Italian……A blues singer !

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1993 Martin HD-28 IR/Sitka
2001 SCGC F Cutaway Maple/German
2008 SCGC OT Madi/Italian
2015 SCGC OM “The Tree” Hog/ European
2016 SCGC 1934 D45 Braz/ Adi
2016 Taylor K62 CE Limited Edition 12 string all Koa
2019 SCGC FTC Granadillo/Redwood
Life is a journey…not a guided tour,
The Bay,The Gulf Stream , The Open Ocean are particular about who they share their secrets with.

[MajesticShaver]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up ordering a custom 00 with scale length and body depth of the Skye and a Sinker Redwood and Figured Mahogany combo. Richard guided me in the selection of the tonewoods so I have no doubts it’ll sound great!

[Chrisakadigdog]

The few redwood tops I’ve played have all been extremely, in a good way, beautifully responsive with clarity that sparkles.  Nice choice!!

[RetiredFire]

That sounds like a very interesting guitar. I’ll be anxious to see it and hear how you like it. Hate to tell you this, but as your first Santa Cruz guitar…it likely won’t be your last!

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2019 SC 000 mahogany/European spruce
2018 SC H13 rosewood/Adirondack spruce
2020 SC 00 Skye cocobolo/Adirondack spruce (summer)
2012 Martin 00028VS rosewood/Sitka spruce

[MajesticShaver]

Thank you, it has already been amazing experience so far!

[MajesticShaver]

I have a terrible feeling that you’re speaking a lot of truth… I have to admit that I’m already intrigued by the Model F as well.

[tadol]

Yes – I know what you mean –

[MajesticShaver]

Inspiring!  🙂

[Chrisakadigdog]

There’s no 12step program going to help you here.. Si. Above^^^

[Author]

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