Vintage Artist

Below are the standard specifications for this particular model. This model comes available with a long list of custom options that can be added for no additional charge. Click here to see all the options available to you, and design your own.

Doc Watson, who owned the prototype of the Vintage Artist, said, “This is the Dreadnought I’ve been looking for all my life.” In 1991, Richard Hoover collaborated with vintage experts to identify the most desirable qualities of the iconic Pre-War D-18. Maestro Watson’s contributions to the concept were born of an appreciation of the clarity of Mahogany’s tone and his requirements for playability. At the time, Doc had put as many hours into Rockabilly on a Les Paul as he had on the Dreadnought. His lack of preoccupation with a particular vintage model played perfectly with SCGC’s philosophy to ‘combine, not copy.’ After Doc’s test pilot duties on the prototype, he offered this thoughtful testimonial: “Son, what do I have to do to keep this guitar?”

We present this instrument as the tonal equal and technical superior to the most respected Pre-War guitars. To achieve the characteristic EQ and tone of the legendary Doc Watson, aka ‘the Vintage Artist,’ this instrument features an advanced, scalloped X-bracing for powerful bass, complemented by the clear tone and definition of master grade Mahogany.

Body Wood Type Mahogany
  Back Stripe Zipper
  Binding Ivoroid
Top Wood Type Sitka Spruce
  Rosette Ivoroid
  Purfling Herringbone
  Bracing/Voicing Scalloped/Advanced X
Neck Peghead Solid Square
  Peghead Binding I/B/I
  Overlay Material Brazilian Rosewood
  Headstock Inlay SCGC
  Width at Nut 1-11/16
Fingerboard Side Dots Black
  Inlay 2mm dots
  Width at 14th Fret 2-3/16
  Binding I/B/I
  Scale Length 25.375
  Neck Shape V with Volute
Finish Top Tinted
  Back & Sides Clear/Buffed
  Neck Clear/Matte
Setup Pickguard Tortoise
  Tuners/gears Nickel Waverlys

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Santa Cruz Guitar Company