These days, Richard Hoover is a bit of a legend in the industry. When he started building Santa Cruz guitars in 1976, the goal was to push guitar-making to a new level of perfection. At SCGC, the goal is to build the finest, most expressive instruments possible—not to maximize sales or profits. That purity of intention translates into exceptional instruments.
BY the spec sheet, the OM/PW is rooted in tradition, but this model is delivered with attention to detail you only get from a seasoned boutique guitar-maker, like Santa Cruz Guitar Co. The OM/PW features an Orchestra Model body constructed from a Sitka Spruce top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides. It has a 25-3/8" scale length. This combination makes for a balanced sound that is not lacking in bass content or volume.
But the OM/PW isn't just an imitation of prewar specs—with this design, Santa Cruz draws on the lessons learned from the finest vintage examples to optimize tone and playability. Under the hood, the OM/PW has refined scalloped X bracing, and the measurements are the best of both worlds—vintage-appropriate 1-3/4" nut width and super-manageable 2-3/16" at the saddle. The appointments are elegant and understated, which emphasizes the quality of the materials, the richness of the sound, and high-level workmanship.
This Santa Cruz OM/PW was made in 2002. It has been played—and it shows—but it has developed the openness and resonance you only get from a guitar that has been put to the test. Dave Farmer at Turtle Lake String Instruments recently gave it the once-over, and it is playing and sounding to its full potential. While in his care, Dave repaired a top crack and re-glued the bridge (all with hide glue), and he fit a new compensated bone saddle for the bridge and dressed the frets. It shows play wear all around the body, and the worst wear is on the treble side of the soundhole and along the edge of the peghead. Also, there are some lacquer chips on the binding edge of the bass side. But we'll chalk that up as authentic character! It's cool to see a Santa Cruz that has been played and enjoyed over the years.
This 2002 Santa Cruz OM/PW is smooth, easy played with the nuanced tone of a played in guitar. There is a crispness to the tone and articulate sense of clarity that immediately makes us think of Santa Cruz. It includes its original hardshell case.