I am offering here a Santa Cruz Model F from 1989, a, hand-crafted in Santa Cruz, California (USA), all-solid timber premium acoustic guitar from the elitary acoustic guitar workshop of Richard Hoover with Small Body Jumbo design incl. a Venetian cutaway, fine-grained Sitka spruce top over hand-scalloped X-bracing, sides and back made of impressively figured flamed maple, set mahogany neck with slim “C” neck profile, multi-ply bound ebony fingerboard with custom Art Deco mother-of-pearl inlays and 46.5mm bone nut, ebony bridge with bone saddle, short 632mm scale length and high-quality Schaller M6 tuners in an authentically aged natural high-gloss finish with tortoise pickguard in well-maintained original condition, including black luxury hardshell original case, manufacturer’s papers and professional setup with 12-gauge Elixir strings.

Since its founding in 1976 by master luthier Richard Hoover, the Santa Cruz Guitar Company has established itself as one of the world’s most renowned boutique manufacturers. With the utmost care, select tonewoods, and the finest craftsmanship, the company creates instruments that are valued worldwide for their outstanding responsiveness, excellent dynamics, and exceptional tonal balance. The 1989 Santa Cruz Model F presented here is a prime example of this excellence and has been the talk of the town ever since Eric Clapton placed a personal order for it in the early 1980s.

The Santa Cruz Model F features a fine-grained Sitka spruce top over hand-carved scalloped X-bracing, which ensures dynamic response and tremendous projection. At the same time, the flamed maple body—including an elaborately arched back—delivers powerful three-dimensional depth, nuanced clarity, and rich overtones that create a perfect balance between foundation and brilliance. The guitar is thus ideally suited for any type of fingerstyle and all types of picking, but also impresses when strummed with a beautiful, open, distinctive character. Thanks to the short 632mm scale length, the slim “C” neck profile, and the wide nut width of 46.5mm, the guitar offers ideal conditions for the fretting hand.

A sound sample of a very similar model (only of newer age) can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

Visually, the instrument impresses with an incredible attention to detail. Numerous features, such as ornate Art Deco mother-of-pearl inlays and multi-ply body, fretboard, and headstock bindings, have been meticulously handcrafted and complement the naturally darkened high-gloss finish with exceptional taste.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Year of Manufacture: 1989
• Body Shape: F (Small Jumbo) with Venetian cutaway
• Top: Selected Sitka spruce (solid)
• Bracing: Scalloped X-bracing
• Back / Sides: Selected flamed maple (solid)
• Neck: Mahogany, set-in
• Neck profile: Slim “C”
• Fingerboard: Ebony with custom Art Deco mother-of-pearl inlays, 3-ply bound
• Frets: 20
• Nut: Bone, 46.5mm
• Headstock: Mahogany with rosewood veneer and mother-of-pearl logo inlay, 3-ply bound
• Bridge: Ebony with bone saddle
• Tuners: Schaller M6
• Pickup: Piezo, passive (upgrade)
• Body bindings: Cream with 7-ply (top) / 3-ply (back) purfling
• Rosette: Concentric rings
• Pickguard: Faux tortoise
• Finish: Natural high-gloss
• Scale length: 628mm
• String action (12th fret): 2.3mm (E6) / 2.0mm (e1)
• Serial no.: F-131
• Includes original vintage luxury hardshell case, Santa Cruz warranty card, handwritten letter from John Pearse’s widow, and a handwritten setlist by John Pearse himself

The Santa Cruz Model F is no longer manufactured in this configuration; it is extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, especially with such low serial number. This F-131 featured here also comes from the personal estate of deceased British folk guitarist and TV guitar teacher John Pearse, as evidenced by the enclosed letter from his widow, Linda Pearse, and the setlist handwritten by John Pearse himself.

This Santa Cruz Model F is in very good, well-maintained condition and technically flawless. Due to its age, there is some visible wear which complements each other to create an authentic vintage patina (see photos). The frets are in top condition.

The instrument has received a professional setup with 12-53 Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €49.99 within Germany or €119.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All images shown are of the actual instrument for sale.