The Santa Cruz Tony Rice Model was the flatpicker’s signature instrument for the better part of 30 years. It was designed by Tony and Richard Hoover of SCGC to offer the modern acoustic flatpicker a Dreadnought with much better string balance than the standard Martin style herringbone 28. Santa Cruz builders voice this model for mid-range strength, treble string power, and deep but articulate basses.

This example was built in 1997 and bears Tony Rice’s signature on its paper label. It features straight-grained Indian rosewood back and sides, and a tightly quartered Sitka top with scalloped braces. The oversized soundhole has a 4.25” diameter, which raises the resonant frequency of the body’s air cavity and improves string balance. Herringbone trim and ivoroid bindings, mitred wooden purflings on the back and sides, tortoise celluloid pickguard, and gloss lacquer finish. The fingerboard’s only ornamentation is the SCGC logo at the 12th fret, and the ebony headstock overlay is blank as well. Gold Waverly tuners, bone nut and saddle, ebony pins.

The guitar’s top suffered some kind of impact which has been repaired and touched up. The repair is structurally sound, but remains noticeable. Apart from this flaw, the guitar is in excellent condition and without cracks, repairs, or playwear to the finish. The frets show light wear in the first position and play cleanly. The action is 6 to 8 64ths at the 12th fret, which is high by our standards, but desirable to some flatpickers. The saddle is near the bottom of its adjustment range, and those who want lower action will likely want to have the neck reset on this one.

The neck has a soft V / C carve and a nut width of 1-11/16”. String spread at the saddle is 2-3/16” and the scale is just shy of 25.4”.

With Calton case