2024 - Santa Cruz H/13 Custom - Dark Forest Ancient Cypress & Bryn Athyn Indian Rosewood

The 2024 Santa Cruz H/13 Custom in Dark Forest Ancient Cypress and Bryn Athyn Indian Rosewood is a striking example of Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s ability to blend historical inspiration with modern refinement. Designed under the guiding hand of Richard Hoover, this instrument reflects his lifelong pursuit of balance, responsiveness, and musical honesty. Every detail speaks to intent, restraint, and deep respect for the player.

The Dark Forest Ancient Cypress top sets the tone visually and sonically, offering a rare, aged character with a quick, articulate response and a dry, woody clarity that feels immediately alive under the fingers. Paired with Bryn Athyn Indian Rosewood back and sides, the voice gains depth, harmonic richness, and a lingering sustain that elevates both fingerstyle and light flatpicking. Scalloped and tapered Adirondack spruce braces add power and headroom while preserving nuance and touch sensitivity, allowing the guitar to bloom effortlessly with even the lightest attack.

Visually, this H/13 Custom is elegant and confident without excess. Curly koa binding around the body, neck, and headstock adds warmth and contrast, while abalone top purfling, backstrip, and rosette bring a subtle glow that shifts beautifully in changing light. The ebony fingerboard and pyramid bridge anchor the aesthetic, complemented by diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, abalone side dots, and the abalone SCGC fingerboard logo. A slotted headstock with ebony overlay and Waverly nickel tuners with ivoroid buttons completes the vintage inspired presentation.

The H/13 body dimensions deliver comfort and projection in equal measure. With a body length of 19.25 inches, a lower bout of 14.5 inches, and a body depth ranging from 3.875 to 4.875 inches, this guitar sits naturally against the player while producing a surprisingly expansive sound. Thirteen frets clear of the body and a 25.375 inch scale length contribute to its unique feel and tonal balance. The V neck profile, 1 3/4 inch nut width, and 2 3/16 inch bridge spacing offer a confident, articulate playing experience that rewards precision and dynamics.

This guitar is used but in great condition, having been well cared for and preserved with respect. The fully buffed finish on the top and peghead contrasts nicely with the smooth matte finish on the neck, enhancing both feel and playability. It includes the original unattached firestripe pickguard in the case, ebony bridge and end pins with abalone dots, and comes housed in a premium Ameritage hard case. Weighing just 3 pounds 12 ounces, it feels incredibly alive in the hands.

This Santa Cruz H/13 Custom is more than a beautifully appointed instrument. It is a thoughtful expression of Richard Hoover’s philosophy, built for players who value nuance, balance, and a deep emotional connection to sound.

Other specifications include:

• Dark Forest Ancient Cypress Top
• Bryn Athyn Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
• Adirondack Spruce Braces Scalloped & Tapered
• Curly Koa Body, Neck & Headstock Binding
• Abalone Top Purfling
• Abalone Backstrip
• Abalone Rosette
• Diamonds & Squares Fingerboard Inlay
• Abalone Side Dots
• Ebony Peghead Overlay
• Slotted Headstock
• Ebony Fingerboard & Pyramid Bridge
• Abalone SCGC Fingerboard Logo
• V Neck Profile
• Body Length 19.25″
• Body Depth 3.875-4.875″
• Number of Frets 21
• Frets Clear of the Body 13
• Lower Bout 14.5″
• Waist 8.75″
• Upper Bout 10.375″
• 1 3/4" Nut Width
• 2 3/16" Bridge Spacing
• 25.375" Scale Length
• Fully Buffed Finish on Top & Peghead
• Matte Finish on Neck
• Firestripe Pickguard - Unattached in Case
• Waverly Nickel Tuners w/ Ivoroid Buttons
• Ebony w/Abalone Dot Bridge and End Pins
• Ameritage Hard Case
• 3 lb 12 oz
• #1909

For more information about the Santa Cruz H/13 Custom, please contact us.

Product Images

Product Videos

Play

Behind the Scenes at the Bourgeois Guitars Factory with Master Luthier Dana Bourgeois