Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $4,900

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War, a steel-string acoustic guitar that beautifully marries vintage allure with modern precision. Inspired by the golden era of guitar building, this instrument is a testament to the rich heritage of the pre-WWII era, featuring advanced X-bracing that delivers an unrivaled resonance and clarity. The Santa Cruz OM Pre-War is designed for musicians who crave a warm, articulate sound with a touch of historical charm.

Handcrafted by skilled luthiers, this guitar boasts a carefully selected combination of tonewoods that enhance its sonic depth and sustain. The OM body shape ensures a balanced tonal output, making it perfect for fingerstyle playing or strumming. Its sleek neck design offers comfortable playability, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly across the fretboard.

Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War stands as an exceptional choice for guitarists seeking both aesthetic beauty and superb sound quality. Let this remarkable instrument be your companion on your musical journey, and experience the harmonious blend of past and present.

Key Features:

  • Advanced X-bracing for enhanced resonance
  • Handcrafted with select tonewoods
  • Balanced OM body shape
  • Ideal for fingerstyle and strumming
  • Comfortable neck design for easy playability

Product specs

Brand Santa Cruz
Model OM Pre-War
Made In United States
Categories OM and Auditorium Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material Rosewood
Body Shape Orchestra
Fretboard Material Ebony
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Sides Material Rosewood
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War guitar?

The Santa Cruz OM Pre-War offers a balanced tonal profile with rich, warm lows from the rosewood back and sides, and clear, articulate highs from the spruce top. It's well-suited for fingerstyle and flatpicking, providing a versatile sound ideal for various genres.

Is the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War suitable for live performances?

The Santa Cruz OM Pre-War does not come with a built-in pickup, so for live performances, an external microphone or pickup system would be necessary to amplify its sound effectively.

How does the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War compare to other OM-style guitars?

The Santa Cruz OM Pre-War is known for its exceptional craftsmanship and vintage-inspired tone, making it stand out among OM-style guitars. Its combination of spruce and rosewood provides a classic sound with modern playability, appealing to both collectors and professional musicians.

What is the neck profile like on the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War?

The Santa Cruz OM Pre-War features a comfortable neck profile that facilitates smooth playability, making it suitable for both fingerstyle and strumming techniques. The ebony fretboard adds to the smooth playing experience.

Is the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War guitar suitable for beginners?

While the Santa Cruz OM Pre-War offers exceptional sound and build quality, its premium craftsmanship and price point may be more suitable for experienced players or collectors rather than beginners.

Carter Vintage Backstage

Carter Vintage Backstage

Santa Cruz OM Pre-War Sunburst, Fiddleback Mahogany & Adirondack Spruce | Carl Miner

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM Pre-War Sunburst, Fiddleback Mahogany & Adirondack Spruce | Carl Miner by Carter Vintage Backstage

Santa Cruz OM Pre-War Sunburst, Fiddleback Mahogany & Adirondack Spruce | Carl Miner

Carter Vintage Backstage

Carter Vintage Backstage

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM v Santa Cruz OM  Pre-War by Guitar Gallery

Santa Cruz OM v Santa Cruz OM Pre-War

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM Pre-war at The Fellowship of Acoustics by The Fellowship of Acoustics

Santa Cruz OM Pre-war at The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM Pre-War Acoustic | CME Quick Riffs | Karl Neurauter by Chicago Music Exchange

Santa Cruz OM Pre-War Acoustic | CME Quick Riffs | Karl Neurauter

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM Pre-War by Guitar Gallery

Santa Cruz OM Pre-War

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz "OM Pre War" by GregsGuitars

Santa Cruz "OM Pre War"

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM Pre-War by Guitar Gallery

Santa Cruz OM Pre-War

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Video thumbnail for Santa Cruz OM Pre-War by Guitar Gallery

Santa Cruz OM Pre-War

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Reviews

PROS

  • Spot-on intonation and playability enhance performance

  • Full, rich tone with strong bass and beautiful mids and trebles

  • Excellent note and string distinctiveness

  • Large sound projection despite OM body size

  • Comparable to a mint condition vintage model at a fraction of the price

  • Hand-made craftsmanship based on a 1929 pre-war Martin design

  • Open, resonant, and clear sound quality

  • Perfect for small venues without amplification

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Santa Cruz OM Pre-War.

Setup and maintenance

  • Swapping bridge pins to mammoth ivory and using Santa Cruz low tension strings significantly improved tone and playability.

    Source
  • Cleaning the guitar and allowing it to acclimate in the home environment can improve sound over time.

    Source
  • Sponge humidifiers (D'Addario) paired with a small Bluetooth hygrometer are recommended for humidity control in arid environments, avoiding mold and mineral dust issues.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Switching from plastic to bone bridge pins is a recommended, cost-effective modification to enhance sound quality.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have found that using a Tonerite for a week alters the guitar's resonance, making the entire instrument vibrate more cohesively.

    Source
  • A Santa Cruz OM is praised for its longevity and sound quality, with one user maintaining it as their best-sounding guitar after 10 years.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Santa Cruz OM Pre-War, after specific modifications, was preferred by one owner over a Goodall RGC in terms of sound quality.

    Source
  • Owners suggest that a Santa Cruz OM Pre-War offers superior craftsmanship compared to Martin's factory models, particularly above the $4,000 price range.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Purchasing used boutique models like Collings or Bourgeois can provide significant savings, as they're often priced around $3,000 to $5,000.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users who flatpick and fingerpick with natural nails find the OM size and longer scale length beneficial for a balanced tone and dynamic range.

    Source

Other

  • Heavier players might prefer Adirondack spruce tops for extra headroom, while those with a lighter touch might enjoy the warmth of Engelmann spruce.

    Source

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