Here’s a 2017 Santa Cruz Vintage Artist dreadnought, in excellent condition, light as a feather, Brazilian headstock overlay, nickel Waverlys, big but balanced sound. Some light play wear, a couple tiny dings on the top and some wear on the side of the headstock from an errant string winder. Has a K&K Trinity pickup installed (comes with the Trinity preamp to dial in the undersaddle mics and the soundhole mic. A seasoned customer who has owned many high-end acoustics played it and proclaimed it “the voice of god.” This guitar would be $7675 to build today, so save some bucks. I’ll let Santa Cruz describe it:
“Doc Watson, who owned the prototype of the Vintage Artist, said, “This is the dreadnought I’ve been looking for all my life.” In 1991, Richard Hoover collaborated with vintage experts to identify the most desirable qualities of the iconic Pre-War D-18. Maestro Watson’s contributions to the concept were born of an appreciation of the clarity of mahogany’s tone and his requirements for playability. At the time, Doc had put as many hours into rockabilly on a Les Paul as he had on the dreadnought. His lack of preoccupation with a particular vintage model played perfectly with SCGC’s philosophy to ‘combine, not copy.’ After Doc’s test pilot duties on the prototype, he offered this thoughtful testimonial: “Son, what do I have to do to keep this guitar?” We present this instrument as the tonal equal and technical superior to the most respected Pre-War guitars. To achieve the characteristic EQ and tone of the legendary Doc Watson, aka ‘the Vintage Artist,’ this instrument features an advanced, scalloped X-bracing for powerful bass, complemented by the clear tone and definition of master grade mahogany.”
Condition: Preowned (excellent); Top: Sitka spruce; Back and sides: Master grade mahogany; Neck: Mahogany, ebony fingerboard,; Nut: 1 3/4; Width: 15 5/8; Depth: 4 5/8; Scale: 25.375; Binding: Ivoroid; Purfling: Herringbone; Rosette: Ivoroid; Orientation: Lefthanded (of course)
