Admittedly, none of us really knew exactly what to expect when we first learned we would be recieving one of Santa Cruz's 1934 D. Would it live up to the hype, the legend, the reverence that we have read about? We all patiently awaited the arivial. Allow me to be the first to say that, out of all the many rosewood dreadnoughts that have come through our store - this is, hands down, one of those be all end all instruments. Words do not do much justice, but I will give my best to convey just how special this guitar truly is.
The late 1930s were a exhilarating era for guitars, one that hasn't quite been repeated. It was the dawn of the 14 fret dreadnought, a concept that has since been used time and time again - but never in with the same magic. Much of this is due to the available wood at the time. Pieces of Brazilian rosewood and Adirondack red spruce cut in that period and prior evolved, over time, into something spectacular. The secret to the desirable tone of vintage instruments lies in aged wood (crystallized resins) and the relaxation of tensions built in during manufacturing. So, to sum it up, it's not just the species of wood - but the era in which it grew and was cut, and the method in which you build it.
That is where the basis for Santa Cruz's 1934 D comes in. Not only replicating the methods and techniques used in the 1930s, but using pieces of wood cut then as well. Each piece of Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce were cut in the 1930s - that's over 75 years of aging and crystalizing to allow the intense, balanced, rich, and unbelievably loud tone that Brazilian and Adirondack together are known for to shine. According to Richard Hoover, the Brazilian used on this guitar was downed using a method abandoned by about 1950; dating it to as early as the 1930s. Based on the growth rings, the living tree itself was over 150 years old.
Once prepared for construction, the 1934 D is pieced together using hot hide glue - an appropriate glue for the 30s that sets like glass. The use of hide glue adds to the resonance and punch associated with vintage dreadnoughts. Make no mistake about it; this isn't like a vintage guitar, boys and girls - this IS a vintage guitar. It just so happens it was made in this century.
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This instrument has been spoken for. Please call 866-265-5993 or email info@artisanguitars.com to inquire about a similar instrument. Tags: 1934D, adirondack spruce, brazilian rosewood, dreadnought, enlarged soundhole, hot hide glue, santa cruz
