Sale Pending - Santa Cruz Tony Rice Professional - German Spruce & Brazilian Rosewood - Signed by Tony

The Santa Cruz Tony Rice Professional – German Spruce & Brazilian Rosewood, signed by Tony Rice himself, is far more than an extraordinary guitar—it is a piece of bluegrass history, a sacred intersection of masterful luthiery and musical legacy. Tony Rice was not only a revolutionary figure in acoustic guitar performance, but also one of the most influential stylists in American roots music. His tone, phrasing, and lyrical approach to flatpicking set a gold standard that continues to inspire generations. This instrument, created in collaboration with Richard Hoover, founder of Santa Cruz Guitar Company, reflects both men’s uncompromising dedication to artistry, tone, and tradition.

Richard Hoover and Tony Rice shared a unique bond—one forged through a mutual respect for the nuance of acoustic sound and the human spirit behind it. Hoover, a revered figure in boutique guitar building, worked closely with Rice to design a model that could honor the vintage spirit of Tony’s famed 1935 Martin D-28 while improving upon it with Santa Cruz’s signature voice and modern craftsmanship. The result is a guitar that doesn’t just play beautifully—it speaks with Tony’s voice, and now, carries his signature, making this a profoundly rare and intimate collector’s piece.

At its core, this guitar is constructed with the most exquisite, Tier 1 Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides—a tonewood both legendary and increasingly scarce, known for its deep, complex overtones, crystalline highs, and powerful projection. The zipper-style backstrip provides a vintage aesthetic touch, while the ivoroid binding enhances the traditional look with elegant contrast. Paired with a master grade German spruce top, this instrument offers a top-end shimmer and harmonic richness that few other tonewoods can rival. German spruce, revered for its elasticity and responsiveness, adds an unmistakable clarity and dynamic nuance ideal for Tony's intricate style.

Every element of the guitar’s construction is imbued with reverence. The top is adorned with a classic herringbone rosette and purfling, echoing pre-war Martin styling. Inside, scalloped bracing ensures the top moves freely, maximizing tonal depth, projection, and responsiveness across the dynamic range. The scale length of 25.375” adds snap and sustain, perfect for crisp articulation and vibrant resonance, whether played delicately or with power.

The neck, carved with a V profile and volute, is both substantial and graceful, lending itself beautifully to flatpicking. The solid square peghead, free of inlay or distraction, is veneered with Tier 1 Brazilian rosewood, showcasing the raw beauty of this rare material. The 1-11/16" nut width and 2-3/16" width at the 14th fret ensure an effortless, traditional feel, especially familiar to players rooted in bluegrass and Americana. A single, subtle SCGC inlay at the 15th fret pays quiet homage to the builder’s name, letting the guitar’s tone and heritage take center stage.

A Dalmatian pickguard ties it all together with visual flair that hints at Tony’s original D-28, while gold Waverly tuners add a touch of luxury and rock-solid tuning stability. The finish is clear and elegant: gloss on the back and sides, matte on the neck for a fast, non-sticky feel, and a clear top that lets the German spruce’s tight grain glow.

Weighing just 4 lbs 10 oz, this Santa Cruz Tony Rice Professional feels light and alive in the hands, a guitar that breathes, responds, and inspires from the very first note. Delivered in a hard shell case and bearing Tony Rice’s signature, this is not just an elite instrument—it is an heirloom, a direct link to one of the greatest acoustic voices of all time.

Owning this guitar is a rare privilege: a meeting of two legends—Tony Rice and Richard Hoover—etched into wood, wire, and tone.

Other specifications include:

• Body Wood Type Tier 1 Brazilian Rosewood
• Back Stripe Zipper
• Binding Ivoroid
• Top Wood Type Master Grade German Spruce
• Rosette Herringbone
• Purfling Herringbone
• Bracing/Voicing Scalloped
• Neck Peghead Solid Square
• Peghead Binding None
• Overlay Material Tier 1 Brazilian Rosewood
• Headstock Inlay None
• Width at Nut 1-11/16
• Neck Shape V with Volute
• Fingerboard Side Dots Black
• Inlay SCGC @ 15th Fret
• Width at 14th Fret 2-3/16
• Binding Ivoroid
• Scale Length 25.375
• Finish Top Clear
• Back & Sides Clear/Gloss
• Neck Clear/Matte
• Pickguard Dalmatian
• Tuners/gears Gold Waverlys
• Hard Case
• 4 lb 10 oz
• #8070

For more information about the Santa Cruz Tony Rice Professional, please contact us.

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