Santa Cruz

“The Orchestra Model represents the perfect balance of comfort, projection, and tonal sophistication. Originally designed for players who needed an instrument that could project in ensemble settings, the OM has become a favorite among fingerstyle players and singer-songwriters.  With its balanced frequency response and comfortable 14-fret neck, the OM excels at everything from delicate fingerpicking to assertive flatpicking.”   – From the Santa Cruz Website

Since its arrival on the scene in 1929, the orchestra model has enjoyed widespread popularity with guitar players of all sorts. Thanks to its relatively compact nature yet overall larger soundboard surface area, the om is a highly comfortable guitar that is also extremely versatile. Indeed, as the statement from Santa Cruz above suggests, and as we can confirm as guitar specialists, an orchestra model guitar is a tried and true recipe for success when it comes to guitar design.

Speaking of tried and true recipes, the pairing of Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood is one of the most effective, and therefore classic, combinations of tonewood “ingredients.”  The Sitka spruce top delivers a distinctive clarity and sustain, as well as a broad dynamic range from the outset that then becomes enhanced as an instrument is exercised (i.e., played-in). Meanwhile, Indian rosewood, contributes a rich, harmonically complex, and colorful tonal quality to the overall voice of the guitar.  As interpreted by the legendary tone chefs at Santa Cruz, the classic Sitka spruce/Indian rosewood OM recipe, as seen in this 2017 example, projects with a vocal quality that is broad, robust, and direct, while also displaying the balance and clarity that one would expect of any great OM.  Most importantly, one readily detects the signature Santa Cruz spice of highly-refined vintage dryness that produces and extremely satisfying airiness to their voicing, while contributing a distinctive crispness to the note edge.  We are always quick to mention here at Maple Street Guitars that there is no such thing as the “perfect guitar;” yet, in playing such a wonderfully dynamic instrument as a Santa Cruz Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood OM, it is hard to find much room for improvement.

Condition

This guitar has been very well-maintained and exhibits no structural or cosmetic wear to note, apart from some faint pickguard scuffs.  EXCELLENT+ to NEAR MINT Condition

• 14-Fret 000/OM Body
• Sitka Spruce Top
• Scalloped Pre-War X-Bracing
• Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
• Ivoroid Body Binding
• Wooden Herringbone Top Purfling
• Single-Ply Side Purfling, 3-Ply Back Purfling
• Zipper Backstrip and Endpiece
• Nitrocellulose Body Finish
• Mahogany Neck
• Modified V Neck Contour with Volute
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Ivoroid Fingerboard and Headstock Binding
• Ivoroid Script “Santa Cruz Guitar Company“ Logo
• Mother of Pearl Dot Long Pattern 2mm Fingerboard Inlays
• Square Peghead Profile
• Ebony Headstock Veneer
• Satin Nitrocellulose Neck Finish
• Ebony Belly Bridge
• Bone Nut and Saddle
• Beveled Tortoiseshell Pickguard
• Nickel Waverly Tuners with Butterbean Buttons
• 25.375” Scale Length
• 1.75” Nut Width
• 2 3/16” String Spacing at the Bridge
• Ameritage Hardshell Case