I own a Santa Cruz Tony Rice model which is a treasure in the bluegrass world. I can't play it to save my life, but I realized it was a great financial investment when I got it in circa 1992. I have talked to Richard once on the phone asking him questions about the guitar, and I got a sense that he was a genuinely nice guy. After watching this video, I feel even more convinced that he is not only a nice guy, but an awesome dude! Keep up the great work, the great guitars, and the awesome outlook on life!
My wife and I visited Santa Cruz guitars at short notice when we were driving through. Richard himself gave us a guided tour which epitomized his statement that he gains happiness from making others happy. I resolved to buy a SC guitar when I got the chance and bought a Model H at Fuller's Vintage Guitar in Houston about a year later.
Santa Cruz may be better (or not), but Taylor makes excellent guitars (just a lot more/ wider variety, and at a price range from inexpensive to expensive). There is no such thing as an inexpensive Santa Cruz Guitar (or Bourgeois or Huss and Dalton or Collings or Lowden, or Olson etc. etc. etc.). I've always wanted a Taylor Cocobolo Guitar.
This man just helps to make the world a better place. Wish there were more like him. Bless Richard Hoover and Santa Cruz for helping bring harmony to our planet!!
Richard Hoover's inspiration is a story of a great American, and innovator, and I greatly look forward to working with Santa Cruz guitars in the future!!
I have 3 Santa Cruz guitars, And Tony Rice with cocobolo back and side and German spruce top, and a DPW, and another Tony Rice '93 model, rosewood and Sitka top, love them all, but the cocobolo is indeed special.
Wonderful video! I felt like I was there and he was talking to me, ha! Love the truck too! Over many years have owned Martin's, Yamaha's, Ovation's, Epiphone's and Gibson's, but had never heard of Santa Cruz Guitars till I played one in the mid 90's. I instantly could tell the difference in the quality of sound, playablity and overall weight of the guitar. What an introduction! I finally purchased a 000 and love it. I took the tour at Santa Cruz Guitars this year and Richard is just as the video shows, a knowledgeable, passionate guitar maker. He's also genuinely open about telling others, what and how he does things, knowing that spreading his knowledge is just good for the craft. No secrets. A great guy, a great tour if you can swing it, and a great guitar company with high standards of craftsmanship and sustainable acquisition of old growth wood.
So here are my guitar came from.Very great guitar btw,been using it for like 6 or 7 years now without having a huge maintenance on it instead of restring.Definitely this brand is one of the top guitar brand out there because of its quality and affordability.
I've spent a lot of time with Richard, even driven around in that old truck, and this really gives you a good taste of what a treasure he is. Thanks. e
I've always been impressed by Luthiers and the patience it takes to build a musical instrument. This video only impacted my impressions even more than before. Richard Hoover is obviously a genius in this art of creating incredible musical instruments. I've only held a Santa Cruz a few times in my life and had no idea about the attentions to detail each one possesses. Thanks, Richard, for this short but eye opening education on what it takes to create a guitar.
Thanks, Richard for my great guitar and for an insight into life that is being left too far behind in today's hurry up world. You are a treasure to us all.
Id believe it more if he didnt keep slagging off other guitar companies. Dude we get that you are a boutique maker, but quit talking shit about higher volume companies! Ever heard of Quality Assurance? its pretty effective.
About six months ago I bought a used Yamaha fg3. The gentleman before me only had it for a week and hardly played it. Anyway long story short it came with a set of Santa Cruz mid tension guitar strings. I play everyday and those strings still sound brand new. I love them
I had the great privilege of visiting the Santa Cruz display at 2011 NAMM in SoCal where I played my all-time favorite flat top, a Santa Cruz Dreadnaught priced ca. $25k USD. It's been so long I can't recall if the back/sides were rosewood or mahogany. I think it was mahogany but frankly it didn't matter. This guitar's performance was beyond wood species preferences. (There might have been two mid-$20k Dreadnaughts there but I doubt it.) What's the price for a similar SC guitar today? What was the exact model? Back/sides wood? What if anything did SC do to age/season the wood? Till proven otherwise I presume only seasoned or actually old wood can make sound like that guitar did. If you come across a SC guitar like that, lack the funds to buy it and don't want to be utterly ruined forever, don't pick up the guitar and walk/don't run to the exit! And if you see a $25k SC guitar and presume it's overpriced, you might change your mind. Prior to that my favorite was a Klein Jumbo at Klein Music in Sonoma. The Klein outperform any Martin D-style I ever played but the SC killed even the Klein. For finger style only one might prefer the nuance and delicacy of an Eric Schoenberg OM-28 or pre-war Martin OM @ Eric's shop in Tiburon, but it's not like the SC lacked anything. And obviously nothing smaller generates the memorable and irresistible bass and dynamic whomp of the biggest guitars. Probably the best sounding flat top I ever heard was Doc Watson's Martin D-18 played by Doc himself of course. Never heard Tony Rick in person (RIP) but his guitar sounds fantastic on Tidal.
Well, we met back in 1994 when I bought my OM. I used to drive that hwy 17 all the time. Please take a look at it on you tube. Little sister blues. One of a kind, with a F model head stock . She is 23 years old now. S/N 347. Thanks, pat.
Agreed on the mahogany. Even the FSC stuff as Martin uses has some loopholes or tricks that cutters use. Wood is absolutely top notch, alot because of what I said and some old stuff slipping through, but still. I mean I love Martin and respect the fsc, just making a point that some slip through. But the fsc is legit and helping. Applaud you for your efforts. My Martin is entirely FSC certified and maybe the best hog Martin has made besides the authentic. But I can't wait to eventually get one of yours. Good man
I first saw a Santa Cruz guitar at a prosperous friend's house... "Never heard of a Santa Cuz" I said. He told me about it and I never even asked to play it but I knew just by looking that it was a beautiful instrument. Now I've got a used SC Mahog and it was the best decision I've made in a long long time. I had a Martin D-35 which I've played for 40 years. It now sits in it's case as my little Santa Cruz puts it to shame. They are worth every penny - buy one!
I've always lusted for a Santa Cruz guitar, but can't afford one. The first time I was the old headstock logo, I fell in love. I know it's trivial, but I was young and thought it looked cool.
He says he can appreciate it when his guitars are used for teaching, charity and worship players. I wonder if he knows the selling price of his guiars?
Dont be like me........and sell a second hand SCGC guitar. Last guitar mistake I'll ever make. Their guitars has ALL the bass and trebles you'll ever need.
Jeremiah Wilson These guitars are for elite guitarists and guitar enthusiasts. Just get something that’s in your budget and make it work for you. There are a lot of great guitars under $500.
Gibson AJ Custom, J-45 and SJ series are really better that this Santa Cruz OM & other models i heard. Gibson is not scattered sound and its bass is authoritative and very distinctive between every notes , in short, overall, Gibson is really authoritative, solid sound, strings vibrations are narrow compared to this Santa Cruz which sounds cloudy and strings vibrate too long. Santa Cruz guitar sounds Nylon strings which mostly cloudy sound. Santa Cruz guitars, Cloudy sound, no good
What an amazing man. “I worship the Creator, but I revere the wood.”
thank you richard . still own my early 90s d and still love it.
I own a Santa Cruz Tony Rice model which is a treasure in the bluegrass world. I can't play it to save my life, but I realized it was a great financial investment when I got it in circa 1992. I have talked to Richard once on the phone asking him questions about the guitar, and I got a sense that he was a genuinely nice guy. After watching this video, I feel even more convinced that he is not only a nice guy, but an awesome dude! Keep up the great work, the great guitars, and the awesome outlook on life!
I'm watching this video as I'm sitting on my desk in a windowless office, and it gives me some sort of hope that I can live the way I want to live.
Richard is a gem!! I love the Santa Cruz Guitar Company!! Great video
I have a great respect for Santa Cruz guitars ....as a luthier myself. I also own one of their guitars.
My wife and I visited Santa Cruz guitars at short notice when we were driving through. Richard himself gave us a guided tour which epitomized his statement that he gains happiness from making others happy. I resolved to buy a SC guitar when I got the chance and bought a Model H at Fuller's Vintage Guitar in Houston about a year later.
Your Company philosophy ought to be adopted and taught in Schools in an ideal World. Power to you.
Fantastic short featuring Richard Hoover, founder of Santa Cruz Guitar Company. Check it out.
Nice video Taylor Guitars
Santa Cruz may be better (or not), but Taylor makes excellent guitars (just a lot more/ wider variety, and at a price range from inexpensive to expensive). There is no such thing as an inexpensive Santa Cruz Guitar (or Bourgeois or Huss and Dalton or Collings or Lowden, or Olson etc. etc. etc.). I've always wanted a Taylor Cocobolo Guitar.
@@kowalski4734 Yeah and you can make a better one!
This man just helps to make the world a better place. Wish there were more like him. Bless Richard Hoover and Santa Cruz for helping bring harmony to our planet!!
Richard Hoover's inspiration is a story of a great American, and innovator, and I greatly look forward to working with Santa Cruz guitars in the future!!
I have 3 Santa Cruz guitars, And Tony Rice with cocobolo back and side and German spruce top, and a DPW, and another Tony Rice '93 model, rosewood and Sitka top, love them all, but the cocobolo is indeed special.
Wonderful example of a “human - being“.
Living true to healthy pace and meaningful quality Vs quantity and greed!
A good life and beautiful guitars!
Wonderful video! I felt like I was there and he was talking to me, ha! Love the truck too!
Over many years have owned Martin's, Yamaha's, Ovation's, Epiphone's and Gibson's, but had never heard of Santa Cruz Guitars till I played one in the mid 90's. I instantly could tell the difference in the quality of sound, playablity and overall weight of the guitar. What an introduction! I finally purchased a 000 and love it. I took the tour at Santa Cruz Guitars this year and Richard is just as the video shows, a knowledgeable, passionate guitar maker. He's also genuinely open about telling others, what and how he does things, knowing that spreading his knowledge is just good for the craft. No secrets. A great guy, a great tour if you can swing it, and a great guitar company with high standards of craftsmanship and sustainable acquisition of old growth wood.
So here are my guitar came from.Very great guitar btw,been using it for like 6 or 7 years now without having a huge maintenance on it instead of restring.Definitely this brand is one of the top guitar brand out there because of its quality and affordability.
I've spent a lot of time with Richard, even driven around in that old truck, and this really gives you a good taste of what a treasure he is. Thanks. e
You are quite the treasure yourself Eric... very cool that you and SC are a good fit.
Billder Inbaja couldn't agree more with you about Eric and Richard! Both!
I've always been impressed by Luthiers and the patience it takes to build a musical instrument. This video only impacted my impressions even more than before. Richard Hoover is obviously a genius in this art of creating incredible musical instruments. I've only held a Santa Cruz a few times in my life and had no idea about the attentions to detail each one possesses.
Thanks, Richard, for this short but eye opening education on what it takes to create a guitar.
Superb ethos ..what goes around comes around: and that's what makes the guitars are so fantastic!
Thanks, Richard for my great guitar and for an insight into life that is being left too far behind in today's hurry up world. You are a treasure to us all.
Very well done. I love my OM Santa Cruz. It's down there now for a tune up. Over 15 years old and just breaking in! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing this story. I do remember him from high school.I learned a lot just from watching this video. Amazing
You're the best Richard~
You're love and instruments will live on forever... -Inspiration Unlimited-
I love that philosophy that the key to happiness is making other people happy. My students are going to journal about that today. Thank you!
Id believe it more if he didnt keep slagging off other guitar companies. Dude we get that you are a boutique maker, but quit talking shit about higher volume companies! Ever heard of Quality Assurance? its pretty effective.
Most makers won't be so open on their builds and approaches. :) Nice to see what goes into a SC acoustic...
Thanks Richard for the great guitars.
A great human being! THX
Absolutely awesome video! Thank you Richard for the great guitars and this snap shot into your world!
Amazing master Richard Hoover! You do a great job there - keep it up!
I love my custom FS. Took a long time to build but, oh so worth the wait. It sings with and through me.
Great outlook on life some great ideas shared.
About six months ago I bought a used Yamaha fg3. The gentleman before me only had it for a week and hardly played it. Anyway long story short it came with a set of Santa Cruz mid tension guitar strings. I play everyday and those strings still sound brand new. I love them
Great video! Thanks for putting this together.
Wow. What a great video. All I want now is to give that guy a hug and buy one of their guitars!
Such a happy person!
I had the great privilege of visiting the Santa Cruz display at 2011 NAMM in SoCal where I played my all-time favorite flat top, a Santa Cruz Dreadnaught priced ca. $25k USD. It's been so long I can't recall if the back/sides were rosewood or mahogany. I think it was mahogany but frankly it didn't matter. This guitar's performance was beyond wood species preferences. (There might have been two mid-$20k Dreadnaughts there but I doubt it.)
What's the price for a similar SC guitar today?
What was the exact model? Back/sides wood? What if anything did SC do to age/season the wood? Till proven otherwise I presume only seasoned or actually old wood can make sound like that guitar did. If you come across a SC guitar like that, lack the funds to buy it and don't want to be utterly ruined forever, don't pick up the guitar and walk/don't run to the exit! And if you see a $25k SC guitar and presume it's overpriced, you might change your mind.
Prior to that my favorite was a Klein Jumbo at Klein Music in Sonoma. The Klein outperform any Martin D-style I ever played but the SC killed even the Klein. For finger style only one might prefer the nuance and delicacy of an Eric Schoenberg OM-28 or pre-war Martin OM @ Eric's shop in Tiburon, but it's not like the SC lacked anything. And obviously nothing smaller generates the memorable and irresistible bass and dynamic whomp of the biggest guitars.
Probably the best sounding flat top I ever heard was Doc Watson's Martin D-18 played by Doc himself of course. Never heard Tony Rick in person (RIP) but his guitar sounds fantastic on Tidal.
Such beauty. Someday I will own one of those great guitars.
Well, we met back in 1994 when I bought my OM. I used to drive that hwy 17 all the time. Please take a look at it on you tube. Little sister blues. One of a kind, with a F model head stock . She is 23 years old now. S/N 347.
Thanks, pat.
I love the perspective of this company! I hope to play a Santa Cruz one day…
Richard Hoover for president!
awesome...what a cool video
A place with no robots ,bliss
That was an incredible video
BEAUTIFUL
Agreed on the mahogany. Even the FSC stuff as Martin uses has some loopholes or tricks that cutters use. Wood is absolutely top notch, alot because of what I said and some old stuff slipping through, but still. I mean I love Martin and respect the fsc, just making a point that some slip through. But the fsc is legit and helping. Applaud you for your efforts. My Martin is entirely FSC certified and maybe the best hog Martin has made besides the authentic. But I can't wait to eventually get one of yours. Good man
i have a friend who has one and he is amazing and i got to try his and it blew my mind
I first saw a Santa Cruz guitar at a prosperous friend's house... "Never heard of a Santa Cuz" I said. He told me about it and I never even asked to play it but I knew just by looking that it was a beautiful instrument. Now I've got a used SC Mahog and it was the best decision I've made in a long long time. I had a Martin D-35 which I've played for 40 years. It now sits in it's case as my little Santa Cruz puts it to shame. They are worth every penny - buy one!
I'll take your martin if you don't want it lol just kidding i wish i could own guitars like yours
Probably because it's a d35.
EXCELLENT VIDEO
Excellent !!
Really great video!
Thanks.
Greta clip. Got any openings out there Richard?
I need to purchase my dream guitar from this custom shop.
They've come a long way since their little hole in the wall shop back in the mid 70s. I think somewhere off Mission?
this is beautiful!
Love this video! Thank you!
Best wsihes
Great video!
I've always lusted for a Santa Cruz guitar, but can't afford one. The first time I was the old headstock logo, I fell in love. I know it's trivial, but I was young and thought it looked cool.
Only in my Dreams
cool ...
Wow what can I say!
well made :-)
What is the song in the 7:01
He says he can appreciate it when his guitars are used for teaching, charity and worship players. I wonder if he knows the selling price of his guiars?
These guitars look awesome but where are the inlay dots? To me that makes the guitar look like it needs to go back to get finished.
Dont be like me........and sell a second hand SCGC guitar. Last guitar mistake I'll ever make. Their guitars has ALL the bass and trebles you'll ever need.
Noice
Guess you cant get cork sniffer tone from a po' boy budget. 4k for an acoustic? Good god man. That's 8 months rent.
Jeremiah Wilson These guitars are for elite guitarists and guitar enthusiasts. Just get something that’s in your budget and make it work for you. There are a lot of great guitars under $500.
These are unbelievable guitars. I can’t afford one but I’ve played many and they are exceptional instruments. Worth 4 months rent any day
They’re worth it. Mine’s old and it just improves with time.
Gibson AJ Custom, J-45 and SJ series are really better that this Santa Cruz OM & other models i heard. Gibson is not scattered sound and its bass is authoritative and very distinctive between every notes , in short, overall, Gibson is really authoritative, solid sound, strings vibrations are narrow compared to this Santa Cruz which sounds cloudy and strings vibrate too long. Santa Cruz guitar sounds Nylon strings which mostly cloudy sound. Santa Cruz guitars, Cloudy sound, no good
Gibson sales manager???