Santa Cruz - Artisan Guitars

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Specs and Options: Santa Cruz Case Options for Standard and 1929 Series Guitars

The 1929 Series “0”, “00”, & “000” models include a black TKL 5 latch case, with plush green lining, and twin neck rests. (Upgrade available, see below)

All other Santa Cruz models include their signature Ameritage case, which is trimmed in black vinyl with brown corners, 6 nickel latches, a much nicer plush green interior, twin neck rests, and a brass Santa Cruz Guitar badge on the exterior. (Note: This case is available for upgrade on all 1929 Series models at the time of order for an additional $125).

Santa Cruz offers an optional humidification chamber for their signature Ameritage case, which can be retrofitted.

There is a Deluxe Ameritage Case upgrade available, which is more heavily constructed, trimmed in Gray Cordura Exterior with Green vinyl corners, 6 brass plated latches, plush green interior, twin neck rests, headstock support, and built-in humidification chamber. This optional case is available for all Santa Cruz models for an additional $495 (allow as much as 6 to 8 week lead time).

Specs and Options: Hot Hide Glue – What’s So “Hot” About it?

Animal glue was the most common woodworking glue for perhaps hundreds of years prior to the mass production of guitars in our last century. Many of the more collectible vintage guitars, prized for their distinctive "heads above the rest" projection, clarity, & light weight - were all assembled with hide glue, before the introduction of man-made poly resin glues.

Hide glue is water soluble, is applied with a brush, using a glue pot which is heated. It sets up quickly when the temperature drops below 120 degrees, in less than a minute. Some early methods of use included heating the wood materials prior to joining them, to allow extra time to work with the joint. After set-up, hide glue crystallizes, bonding the joint to make 2 pieces of wood into a solid unit.

Unlike hide glue, man-made glues never quite setup as a solid material, and always retain some pliability. As you can imagine, since the age of manufacturing guitars, man-made glues have certainly made the job quicker - but perhaps trading off the big, open, airy tone we enjoy from vintage instruments of the 19th century. Thanks to some of our contemporary bench builders, hide glue is once again being offered as an option in crafting guitars made by hand. This can only add to the rich tone of these instruments as we pass them down to our children.

View our guitars featuring Hot Hide Glue here.

Tags: bourgeois, hot hide glue, santa cruz

Specs and Options: Herringbone vs. Non-Herringbone Guitars… Do they sound different?

There is much discrepancy when one begins to compare the tonal differences that a herringbone top purfle can make on a guitar. Various luthiers have different opinions on what these tonal differences are, some going as far as stating there is absolutely no difference in sound between a herringbone and non-herringbone guitar.

With the recent arrival of a few D1HA models from Collings, we were presented with the perfect opportunity to compare this particular feature side-by-side on two otherwise identically spec'd instruments.

We believe our recording speaks for itself... there certainly is a difference in tone!!! The guitars tested were a Collings D1HA and a Collings D1A. Same tonewoods and bracing... the only difference between these guitars is the herringbone.

Now you decide...