There is no question that the Santa Cruz Guitar Company is one of the cornerstones of contemporary boutique guitar making. Founded in 1976, Santa Cruz was one of the first companies to offer individually made steel-string guitars with custom specs, thereby creating an alternative to factory-made guitars. Combining a freewheeling hippie spirit with serious woodworking chops, a desire to refine the sound and playability of the instrument, and knowledge of the building methods used by violin makers, Santa Cruz quickly found its niche, with players such as Tony Rice, Eric Clapton, and Joan Baez becoming early customers. Santa Cruz has managed to stay on the cutting edge of high-end steel-string guitars throughout its 40-plus year history.

Peghead Nation recently visited the Santa Cruz shop in Santa Cruz, California, and in this first video of a series, Teja Gerken sits down with co-founder and long-time company leader Richard Hoover to discuss his approach to custom guitar making, from wood choice and building techniques to ensuring that the customer ends up with his or her dream guitar. Richard’s explanations are accompanied by footage from the shop floor, showing guitars at every stage of the building process.

Santa Cruz DBB A great baritone with a 12-fret dreadnought body. Read More

Santa Cruz OM Grand Brazilian A dream guitar built with stunningly beautiful Brazilian rosewood. Read More

1992 Santa Cruz FS A modern classic optimized for fingerstyle playing. Read More

2013 Mario DeSio Baritone Peghead Nation’s Teja Gerken demonstrates his personal baritone guitar. Read More

2015 Santa Cruz 1929 000 Custom A great all-mahogany 12-fret with custom upgrades. Read More

Santa Cruz HT/13 A beautiful signature model for folk legend Happy Traum. Read More

Sexauer FT-00-CN Luthier Bruce Sexauer shows his “Couch Noodler” flattop. Read More

Santa Cruz Legends in Lutherie FS A stunning redwood and mahogany guitar, built in collaboration with Heartbreaker Guitars. Read More

Santa Cruz Guitar Company Shop Visit, Part 2 Santa Cruz’s Richard Hoover and Carolyn Sills discuss the process of ordering a custom guitar. Read More

Santa Cruz OM Grand 12-String A powerful 12-String from California’s custom guitar specialists. Read More