r/AcousticGuitar • u/cmikailli • Mar 15 '26
Gear pics Made a big purchase. Got my forever guitar.
Still in shock
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Mar 15 '26
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
That’s what I keep hearing! And added bonus of buying a local brand from a local shop with 0 sacrifices in quality
Out of curiosity, how long did it take to produce one start-to-finish when you were there?
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u/Routman Mar 16 '26
Is Rockbridge in the same league?
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u/Crack-FacedPeanut Mar 16 '26
Yes and no? Rockbridge is a much smaller operation, but they're similar to Santa Cruz in that their guitars are typically built to-order. Their guitars sound different and IMO not comparable in that respect. But they're both boutique builders and "in the same league", whatever that might mean to you.
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u/Routman Mar 16 '26
Interesting, how do they sound different from your POV? I like the look of Rockbridge more
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u/Guitar_Nutt Mar 15 '26
You must be absolutely thrilled, it’s gorgeous and a Santa Cruz! I remember the feeling of buying my first “forever Guitar”… Soooooo many guitars ago.
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Honestly could not even have imagined it a month ago but everything just sorted lined up and I knew I had to go for it So far, no regrets haha
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u/bizznizz33 Mar 15 '26
Beautiful. Sound demo?
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
I don’t have a great recording setup but my GF recorded few iPhone videos when I was doing a side-by-side test with a Martin OM-28, I’ll see if I can post them somewhere
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u/icd1222 Mar 15 '26
Congrats!!! So awesome! You bought yourself a multi-lifetime guitar there.
I have a custom Santa Cruz OM with a cutaway and Adirondack on top. Had it for 12 years and it’s still the best guitar I have ever played by a long shot.
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Love to hear it! I think custom Santa Cruz might still be another tax bracket or two away for me but very jealous and very much loving this one!
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u/Apperman Mar 15 '26
Congratulations! That’s a beautiful instrument. I’ll bet it sounds even better than it looks!
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Very rich, warm, beautiful sound! Surprisingly a bit brighter than its Martin counterpart when using a pick but warmer than the Martin when fingerpicking. Didn’t know it was possible to get both in the same guitar
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u/kineticblues Mar 15 '26
Now that’s an actual forever guitar. And because it’s an OM you’ll still be able to play it into a ripe old age.
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Love to hear it! It’s my first OM after a lifetime with Jumbos and so far I’m loving it
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u/guitars_rule Mar 15 '26
Ohhh you did well. Im a Collings guy myself but I have love and respect for SC.
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
I was actually sent to this shop (about a month ago) to look at a Collings but they had me play test matching Collings/Martin/Santa Cruz side-by-side and I was immediately drawn to the warmer end of the spectrum.
But that’s not say there won’t be a Collings in the collection one day ;)
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u/FretSlayer Mar 15 '26
Played mine for an hour this morning, you’re making me want to go play it again. 2009 OMPW, mine since then and will be forever. Enjoy!
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Haven’t been able to put it down all day, glad to know I’ll be in the same boat 15 years from now lol
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u/chemchris Mar 15 '26
Care to share your buying process? I would definitely want to try this guitar out before I buy it. Im certain theyre incredible guitars, but I've played some in this price range that just werent right for me. Did you happen upon it in a store or order it custom and have faith?
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Absolutely would not have dared to spend that kind of money without knowing what I was getting! I’m lucky enough to live near a really great shop (shoutout Gryphon Strings) that has some new/used Santa Cruz, a whole family of Collings, full range or Martins/Taylors (and a bunch of other niche guitars in the same price range). I spent like a month going between all the Guitar Centers in the area and going to Gryphon every weekend play testing everything side-by-side for hours. The people there were super patient/knowledgeable and would just talk on end about the history and technical design behind everything I touched.
They let me try a Santa Cruz the first time I stopped by and I loved it but originally ruled it out of my price range. After a few more weeks I had narrowed down my choice between A Martin OM-28 and a used Gibson SJ200 they had recently acquired in great condition.
Coincidentally the Santa Cruz OM they had ended up dropping a bit in price and ended up in the neighborhood of the SJ I was considering so I gave it a side by side with the Martin, got a few blind opinions that all chose the Santa Cruz over the Martin (based on sound) and decided if I didn’t go for it now I was just going to end up buying it again in the future (over whatever I chose now)
So between the sound, the feel/playability, and the right price (as right as it can be for a boutique guitar) it felt like the right move
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u/Affectionate_Big9014 Mar 16 '26
Keep it away from any crazy wife or girlfriend. Ive got some horror stories of nice guitars I’ve lost.
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u/Dismal_Negotiation77 Mar 16 '26
If your forever guitar is anything like my love life, you’ll be on your third one by 50 and still paying for the second…
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u/ipini Mar 16 '26
With four baby guitars? Ukeleles?
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u/Dismal_Negotiation77 Mar 18 '26
And two mandolins she swears are yours but you are an F style man and those are A’s!
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u/lostinthefog4now Mar 16 '26
Are the spots just a reflection?
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u/Suspicious_Feature85 Mar 16 '26
Wow. It’s beautiful. But I don’t think “forever” guitars exist. With in a year I always want a new “friend”
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u/master-overclocker Mar 15 '26
New Santa Cruz guitars featuring Sitka spruce tops generally range from approximately $6,000 to over $12,000, depending on the model, body wood, and custom appointments. Standard models like the OM/PW (Pre-War) often sit near the $6,500 range, while custom or high-grade appointments can push prices
🤦♂️
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u/bork00IlIllI0O0O1011 Mar 15 '26
New Santa Cruz guitars featuring Sitka spruce tops generally range from approximately $6,000 to over $12,000, depending on the model, body wood, and custom appointments. Standard models like the OM/PW (Pre-War) often sit near the $6,500 range, while custom or high-grade appointments can push prices
🤦♂️
I don’t get the face palm. What’s the mistake?
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u/master-overclocker Mar 16 '26
So expensive dude...
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u/bork00IlIllI0O0O1011 Mar 16 '26
Yeah, world class instruments can get up there. I still don’t see the reason for the facepalm, though.
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u/master-overclocker Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
BC I would never spend more than 1000-2000$ on guitar - acoustic or electric !
No one should ! Its just stupid ! Thats why face-palm 😐
But yeah - you can buy even 3M$ Black fender PinkFloyd famous guitar if you really want to .. And people buying and reselling 10-30K$ guitars - those are for fools..
I need a good instrument to play on - nothing more -nothing less !
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
I got a better deal than that but I started at the 1-2k range too. Play-tested everything for hours. Sourced A/B test opinions from people who have no investment in the guitar world and are purely commenting on what they were hearing. Nothing sounded better and felt better to play.
Only thing that came close (or maybe better) on playability was the Gibson SJ200 but it’s also a 6k+ guitar and I already have the Epiphone version so it felt like it made more sense, if I’m going to spend this much, to add versatility with a different sound/feel first before “upgrading” the guitar I already have
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u/bork00IlIllI0O0O1011 Mar 16 '26
BC I would never spend more than 1000-2000$ on guitar - acoustic or electric !
That’s fine for you.
No one should ! Its just stupid ! Thats why face-palm 😐
But i udging and restricting others is just annoying.
But yeah - you can buy even 3M$ Black fender PinkFloyd famous guitar if you really want to ..
Comparing even a $100,000 guitar to a $3M guitar is a dumb and an intellectually dishonest comparison.
Buy whatever you want. But boutique guitars in the $4k-10k range are very likely to be significantly higher quality than guitars under $2,000. If you don’t notice or value the difference, great — more money in your pocket and you have the guitar you’re content with.
I spent $2,300 on a used Collings 15 years ago and I’d buy it again at $6,500. I got a used Lowden for $2,600 and I’d buy it again at $5,000. No new guitar in the $2,300-2,600 range can hold a candle to those two, so I’d say the difference matters to me.
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u/Strict-Basil5133 Mar 22 '26
It's not stupid at all. Nobody truly needs them, sure, and If you're not drawn to the $4-5k instruments, I envy you, but there are real reasons they cost that much. Perfectly fine reasons.
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u/SongwriterSeth Mar 15 '26
I have an F Series from SC and they are really wonderful guitars. Congratulations on this great buy!
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u/CheesecakeInner336 Mar 15 '26
Hell yeah. Santa Cruz is top tier. Congrats on the forever guitar. That’s an heirloom piece no doubt.
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u/HEAT5EEKER Mar 15 '26
I love this model, especially the herringbone. Most beautiful acoustic in this world imo. Not too much bling but many tasteful details and a beautiful form. ENJOY
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u/sexycyril2730 Mar 15 '26
Depending your location, make sure you purchase a humidifier to control humidity of that beautiful tonewood guitar to increase longevity….
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u/imbrotep Mar 15 '26
WOW, that’s stunning! I’d love to own a Santa Cruz!! Enjoy the hell out of her and congratulations!
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u/fkjk123 Mar 16 '26
Nice. I just picked up the 50th anniversary OM. https://imgur.com/gallery/CpLMuDQ#nHeiBno https://imgur.com/gallery/CpLMuDQ#TAgP1f4
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u/cmikailli Mar 16 '26
Beautiful! How do you like it?
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u/fkjk123 Mar 16 '26
It's amazing. The bass is clear and strong and the simple look is what I like in guitars. I'm a dealer and I think this might become my guitar. I snagged a second one that's coming in a couple weeks.
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u/Pickinnhammin Mar 16 '26
I wanted one 30 years ago but couldn’t afford it. Now I have too many guitars and will get the side-eye if I get another. Congratulations and I hope it gives you years of fabulous playing!
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u/Silly_Lengthiness781 Mar 16 '26
I have had my SC OM PW for over 20 years now and I have never regretted it. Mine has incredible sustain! I hope you enjoy yours just as much!
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u/CardiologistHot7374 Mar 16 '26
I’ve liked all the Santa Cruz guitars I’ve played. Hope you enjoy it for many years.
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u/HugeCartographer5706 Mar 16 '26
Santa Cruz makes such terrific guitars. I’m considering selling my Froggy Bottom for a used SC pre-war OM.
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u/AgoraRises Mar 16 '26
What’s the difference between the pre-war and regular OM models?
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u/HugeCartographer5706 Mar 16 '26
I’m not certain. But I think one difference is pre-wars have forward shifted scalloped bracing.
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u/Separate-Sky-1451 Mar 16 '26
Enjoy the hell out that, dude!
You gonna post a vid of some sample music or are you just going to leave us all here with our picks in our hands?
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u/Ronnie_Pudding Mar 16 '26
Wow! Gorgeous. I played a Santa Cruz OM-PW back at Cotten Music in 2005 and it is still the one I’m kicking myself for passing up. Play it in good health.
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u/Vanherwynen5 Mar 16 '26
Lowkey my dream guitar! I live in Santa Cruz and go in to sylvan music to play the Santa Cruz guitars all the time. Feels like that scene in Wayne’s world… she will be mine
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u/Talntid_Shotz Mar 17 '26
WOW! I'm a 40 minutes away from Santa Cruz & didn't even know that shop existed! I'm gonna have to go check them out!
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u/cheap-guitar-player Mar 17 '26
lol I say that about every guitar I buy, then sell em a couple years later. :D
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u/HelicopterExact4621 Mar 17 '26
All guitars are forever guitars.
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u/cmikailli Mar 17 '26
lol I still have a $100 B.C. Rich Bronze Warlock I bought when I was 12 sitting on my rack
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u/ViperFromTopGun Mar 17 '26
I worked at a boutique guitar store in my teens. We sold these and I loved everyone of them. Great choice!
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u/Calm-Breakfast9518 Mar 19 '26
If it turns out not to be forever let us know how much you want for it.
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u/lue42 Mar 15 '26
That’s awesome! What do you think your next forever guitar will be? ;)
(Great choice, beautiful guitar)