Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $6,226
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Immerse yourself in the rich, resonant tones of the Santa Cruz D Pre War, a guitar that channels the timeless appeal of vintage craftsmanship with modern precision. This meticulously crafted instrument draws inspiration from the golden era of acoustic guitars, delivering a sound that is both robust and deeply nuanced. With its pre-war type X-bracing, the D Pre War offers a superior bass response that enriches every chord and note, making it an ideal choice for both seasoned performers and passionate hobbyists alike.
Santa Cruz is celebrated for its attention to detail and commitment to creating custom, high-quality instruments. The D Pre War is no exception, featuring a Sitka Spruce top paired with Indian Rosewood back and sides, ensuring a balanced tonal palette that resonates with clarity and warmth. Whether you're strumming in a cozy living room setting or performing on a grand stage, this guitar provides an unmatched auditory experience that captivates audiences.
Designed for the discerning musician, the Santa Cruz D Pre War embodies traditional craftsmanship with a modern edge, making it a standout choice for any music enthusiast looking to invest in an instrument that promises both aesthetic and acoustic excellence.
Key Features:
- Body Style: Dreadnought
- Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
- Back & Sides Wood: Indian Rosewood
- Bracing: Pre-war type X-bracing for enhanced bass response
- Customizable options available for personalized builds
Product specs
| Brand | Santa Cruz |
| Model | D Pre-War |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars |
| Active Preamp | No |
| Back Material | Rosewood |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | None |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Sides Material | Rosewood |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Spruce |
FAQs
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What is the tone profile of the Santa Cruz D Pre War guitar?
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The Santa Cruz D Pre War offers a rich, balanced tone with enhanced midrange and treble, while maintaining strong bass response, making it versatile for various playing styles.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Santa Cruz D Pre War?
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The Santa Cruz D Pre War features a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and an ebony fretboard, contributing to its robust sound and durability.
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Is the Santa Cruz D Pre War suitable for fingerstyle playing?
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Yes, the Santa Cruz D Pre War's balanced tone and responsive dynamics make it suitable for fingerstyle as well as flatpicking.
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Does the Santa Cruz D Pre War come with a pickup system?
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No, the Santa Cruz D Pre War does not come with a built-in pickup system, maintaining its traditional acoustic sound.
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How many frets does the Santa Cruz D Pre War have?
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The Santa Cruz D Pre War is equipped with 21 frets, allowing for a wide range of playability across its fretboard.
Videos
Carter Vintage Backstage
Santa Cruz D Pre-War Acoustic Guitar - Played by Carl Miner
Santa Cruz D Pre-War Acoustic Guitar - Played by Carl Miner
Carter Vintage Backstage
Santa Cruz D Pre-War Brad Paisley at The Fellowship of Acoustics
The Fellowship of Acoustics
Santa Cruz D Pre War played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo @ The Fellowship of Acoustics
TFOA Demos
Santa Cruz D Pre-War at The Fellowship of Acoustics
The Fellowship of Acoustics
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional tone quality surpassing top-end Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons
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Outstanding build quality with glued neck enhancing tone
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Highly responsive and balanced sound, perfect for diverse playing styles
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Made with unique old wood, offering distinctive character and resonance
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Excellent neck and action for comfortable playability
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Surprisingly powerful volume for its size
CONS
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Santa Cruz D Pre War.
Comparisons
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Santa Cruz D Pre-War is often compared with Atkin and Boucher, highlighting its vintage sound appeal, though personal preference can lead to choosing Atkin instead.
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Owners mention that the Santa Cruz D Pre-War offers a similar tonal quality to vintage Martin D-28s, especially in terms of bass response and projection.
Source
User experience
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Owners report that the Santa Cruz D Pre-War gets better with age and maintains rock-solid reliability, with some users having owned them since 2002.
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Despite its high quality, some owners prefer other boutique brands after testing, indicating that personal sound preference plays a significant role in satisfaction.
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It's been reported that Santa Cruz guitars, like the D Pre-War, have a rich, resonant tone that excels in studio settings, particularly for bluegrass and fingerstyle genres.
Source
Value and pricing
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Used Santa Cruz Pre-War D guitars can be found in the $3,000-$4,000 range, reflecting their strong market demand and appreciation over time.
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Though priced similarly to other high-end guitars, some buyers highlight that the Santa Cruz D Pre-War offers superior tonal quality and craftsmanship, justifying its premium cost.
Source
Build quality
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A few owners note that Santa Cruz guitars, including the D Pre-War, have a very high level of craftsmanship, comparable to custom luthier-built instruments.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
1391
The best
I was introduced to Santa Cruz when inquiring about a Gibson SJ-200 (a favourite of mine) in a local shop. The salesman showed me that guitar and let me play it. But then he insisted I also play a tiny guitar from a brand I didn’t know. It was made from old wood that had been in a swamp for many many years. There was a whole procedure to dry the wood and use it to make some sort of parlor guitar. I was completely blown away. How could this tiny guitar sound so overwhelming and intense? After this, he introduced me to several other Santa Cruz guitars he had in the shop. I played them all, although way beyond my budget. The Pre War Dreadnought was the one for me. The top end Martins, Taylors and Gibsons ceased to exist near this absolute winner of a guitar. Try one and allow yourself the same experience I had. You won’t be disappointed.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the video titled "🎸 Rig Rundown: Tom Lodewyckx’s Gear Setup met Clouseau in het Sportpaleis Antwerpen 🎸" by Ed Struijlaart on YouTube, Tom Lodewyckx explains his use of the Santa Cruz D Pre War guitar during his gear setup review.
Dave Stamey is pictured using a Santa Cruz D Pre War 12-fret acoustic guitar in its natural finish. This model, which may no longer be in production, was available with several customization options.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Santa Cruz D Pre War, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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