If Santa Cruz know one thing, it's large-soundhole dreadnaughts - and while this 1996 Vintage Artist may not quite have the same size jaws as the company's famed Tony Rice Signature, a very slightly larger hole gives this one the wash of rich low end and long sustain that bluegrass pickers adore. That powerful bass response is paired with a Sitka spruce top and a mahogany neck, back, and sides for bright and punchy mids that help the Vintage Artist leap to the forefront when you take a solo. Overall cosmetic touches are fairly traditionalist, with herringbone purfling and an ivoroid-bound body and fingerboard, plus Santa Cruz's distinctive SCGC logo on the headstock.

This instrument arrived in our store on the upper end of very good condition. Cosmetic and structural condition is very good, with only a few minor chips and dents in the finish, isolated almost entirely to the top. There is no structural damage or evidence of significant repair, and all parts appear to be original. Playability is excellent, with a straight neck, comfortable action set to a true medium for bluegrass flatpicking, and a uniform response up and down the neck in all positions. Included in the price is the original hard-shell case.

Specifications

Top Wood: Sitka spruce
Back and Sides Wood: Mahogany
Width at Nut: 1.69"
Bracing Pattern: Scalloped X bracing
Scale Length: 25.38"
Frets to Body: 14
Fingerboard and Bridge Wood: Ebony
Body Binding: Grained ivoroid with herringbone purfling
Rosette: Antique white multi-ring
Headplate Material: None
Headstock Inlay / Logo: SCGC monogram logo in mother-of-pearl
Neck Binding: Grained ivoroid
Neck Shape: Modified low oval
Fingerboard Side Dots: 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets 
Fingerboard Inlay: Mother-of-pearl dots at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, and 15th frets
Pickguard: Tortoise celluloid
Tuners: Original Waverly closed-back with nickel buttons
Electronics: None
Case: Original hard-shell case