Santa Cruz SCGC D/PW

There are no fancy "features" on the D/PW. From 20 feet away it looks like a plain straight up dreadnought acoustic guitar. It was designed this way and that's a good thing. It's simple unadorned elegance is breathtaking once you get to know the instument. The wood choices are superb. The constuction inside and out still has me shaking my head.
The SCGC has to be one of the finest guitar builders in the world. The guitar is very light and balanced. When you hold it and strun a chord, you wonder where this instrument has been all your life. If you appreciate fine dreadnought acoustic guitars, you really should check one out.

The PW/D sound is full, balanced and "big" as a dreadnought should be. It doesn't over emphisize any particular range. The bass is full, round and focused, not boomy at all. The mids and highs are punchy and oh so complex. The guitar is dynamic like a fine microphone. It's such a pleasure to play. It has an open harmonic sound. I understand this is by design for this model. The mass on the neck is kept to a minimum to acheive the ringing open quality. I play it with a standard light set of Elixir strings. Perfect. I know there are more expensive models that SCGC makes. I've played a few. For what the PW/D is, they couldn't have designed a nicer instrument for the price.

The setup right off the wall was great. I really wouldn't change a thing, and believe me I'm particular. Like I stated above, I'm still marveling at the construction of this instrument inside and out. Every detail is precise and thought out. The intonation is spot on. The action is even all up and down the neck. I can't wait to play this guitar twenty years from now.

This is a light instrument. With proper care and feeding I'm sure it will be fine. It's the type of guitar you want to take real good care of. I'd hesitate to "road" it, but then again it was made to be played. The constuction is so good I'm sure it will make the long haul with a little TLC.

I've e-mailed them twice. They haven't responded. Maybe I ask stupid questions, or their e-mail capabilities are down. I'm not going to villify them for it. If I really need them I'll call them.

I'm thrilled to own this PW/D. I've been playing guitar for almost 40
years. It's the best acoustic instrument I've ever owned. I've owned many many guitars and played what are considered some of the best : Taylors, Martins, Goodalls, Gibsons etc. etc.). If it were stolen or lost I'd have to replace it. When I sit down to play it the time just dissapears. I like to just hold it a look at it. It's such a piece of work. If there is a better hand made dreadnought our there for the price, I haven't seen nor heard it.

This is not a fancy guitar. It's elegantly plain. This guitar is an obvious attempt at delivering the "most bang for the buck" high end rosewood dreadnought. No fancy inlay, no gold hardware, no fancy binding. However, it's got everything I need and then some! It has great quality woods, nitrocellulose lacquer finish, bound fingerboard (I love to see an ebony fingerbaord bound in black - it looks unbound but has the smooth finish). This particular guitar has the Waverly open back tuners, which are an optional upgrade for this model. The neck is a standard 1 and 11/16" nut width with a full vintage profile.
Ebony fingerbaord, bridge, and bridge pins. I'd like to see a 1 and 3/4" nut option, so I'll score it a 9.

It has a full and open sound. It has the forward shifted advanced X "pre war" bracing, and you can hear it. It gives the guitar more warmth and bass than most modern dreadnoughts have. But it's not boomy and mushy, it's very clear and balanced. It is not as loud as some other dreadnoughts, and not as bright and punchy as some of Santa Cruz's high end dreads (like the Tony Rice model - which is voiced for Tony's lead style). This is more of a bluegrass rhythm guitar that is versatile enough for flatpicking. This guitar has a great "blend" with other instruments. Sounds great flatpicked or fingerpicked.

This is an area where Santa Cruz really shines. Clean inside and out, flawless workmanship, excellent setup. The fret work is outstanding and the finish work is perfect.

This is a lightly built guitar. This is not a road guitar for a rock band. This is a lightly crafted acoustic guitar for someone who takes good care of an instrument. Should last a lifetime with proper care.

Lifetime warranty if purchased new. Santa Cruz is a small shop. They responded quickly to some e-mails I sent and invited me to call anytime I had questions. The president of the company will get on the phone to answer questions.

I have been playing 20 years and have owned a lot of good guitars (Martin, Gibson, Collings, Taylor, Bourgeois)This guitar ranks up there with the best of them. I have owned louder guitars, and fancier, and brighter sounding. This one really captures the classic warm dreadnought sound without getting blurry, thuddy, and bass heavy. This guitar really sounds great in a group setting.

Prewar style Dreadnought, sitka spruce top rosewood back and sides, Grover open back tuners, lacquer finish, bound ebony fretboard, ebony bridge and bridge pins.

I owned a Martin HD28V before this guitar, but sold it shortly after buying the Santa Cruz. This guitar has the same warm bassy tone as my Martin but the bass is more focused and the treble is much more detailed and clear. It is the best sounding Dreadnought I've ever played(aside from MAYBE a Collings D2H). A huge full sound when strummed and a delicate rich tone when fingerpicked. Santa Cruz cut NO corners when they introduced this guitar. Yes, it is a little plain. There are a lot of guitars with fancy appointments for 2 grand, but NONE can touch the D/PW tone quality. I liked the D/PW better than the standard SC model D or the vintage artist which are both considerably more expensive. Bottom line is the tone is as good as it gets in this price range and holds its own with guitars in the $3000 price range.

Strung with light strings, my D/PW had medium to low action which works perfect for my playing style. Fit and finish were perfect, the woods are beautiful and carefully matched and it is a joy and inspiration to play. I was told by Santa Cruz that medium strings are totally fine to use on this guitar but I hesitate to try because the guitar is so light!

I am told by dealers and customers that Santa Cruz guitars are extremely well built and are designed to last a lifetime. That said, I cannot believe how light and responsive this guitar is. I am very careful with it and don't expect any problems. Santa Cruz includes lifetime warranty.

I called the Company to ask a question and I was connected to the founder of the Company, Richard Hoover! I was too impressed. He was very nice and helpful and was very generous with his time. It doesn't get much better than this, folks.

I've been playing for 12 years, I've owned Martin Larrivee Taylor, Gibson and several others. This is the finest acoustic I've ever owned. If lost or stolen I would try to replace ASAP. I did compare this guitar to a Collings D2H at a $950 street price above the D/PW. The Collings had a better midrange and nicer appointments but the Santa Cruz held its own. It is an amazing value. Don't expect anything but a tiny discount on these guitars cause they're worth full retail and the dealers know it. If you can find a better sounding $2000 dread, BUY IT!!!

You can look up the specs on their webpage

I bought the guitar only a few days ago, so my initial joy of owning it has not worn off. Still, trying to be lucid about it and not just validate the $2000 I just spent, I enjoy the sound of this guitar very much. It is extremely responsive, revealing, and the extremely long sustain ends up being downright liberating. notes are clear, chords are full. It is very well balanced, with a rich bass, singing mids, and cutting treble. To quote a friend of mine, guitars are like people. Not all of them have souls. In all do seriousness, you have to find a guitar that has real character. I often dislike new guitars since they just sound so generic and totally uninspiring. This guitar does not escape that completely, but it is such a joy to have a tonally perfect instrument (the bass doesn't clog the mids, the treble doesn't twang and cover up the upper mids etc...) with PERFECT intonation, and wonderful action that I am willing to give up the special something that a 70's guild, or a no-name gem you might discover totally by chance with alot of individuality might provide. It is much better for soloing than any other acoustic I have played, (jazz mostly, and some bluesy/countryish rock) and since it is a very loud guitar, you still hear yourself when playing with overbearing friends. See if it is for you.

The Action is very low. This acoustic plays like my electric PRS McCarty. When I was deciding between this guitar and others, my final decision was not based on the sound but on the action which is better than any other guitar I have ever played. The fit and finish are like all guitars of this caliber. It is without flurishes, but masterfully crafted.

This is a fragile acoustic guitar, so I don't really know what reliability or durability mean.

A general rule for guitar makers seems to be: Small Company = great customer support. I have heard that they are very decent. They pay for first setup etc... It is nice calling a phone number and having someone pick up right away and immediately direct you to who you want to talk to. No automation, no being on hold. It's a small company.

I have been playing for over 10 years, and I am serious enough about it not to feel very comfortable labeling myself as any kind of authority. I have only one strong feeling which I wish to convey here; smaller manufacturers such as Santa Cruz, Collings, etc... usually make better guitars then large companies. You will get so much more for your money buying a low end luthier guitar than a high end mass-produced thing (like a washburn cherokee etc...). I am not saying that there aren't any great washburns or even yamaha's or anything. A great guitar is one that you really enjoy playing. That's the bottom line- Still, if you want to spend around $1500-2500 on an acoustic guitar, then look for the smaller names. I did and I am glad.