Santa Cruz OM "Tree" Mahogany Custom NAMM Model

Description

Over the last 2 years, we have had the artisans from Santa Cruz build us a handful of special guitars with mahogany back and sides from "The Tree." They all sounded and looked incredible, and sold within days of reaching our shop. Late last year, we took a leap of faith and challenged Santa Cruz to make an OM with not only "tree" back and sides, but the soundboard as well. Risky? Perhaps. But we were blown away by its response, and so was the player who was fortunate enough to grab the guitar. Here's round two! Featured at the 2020 NAMM show and a real head-turner, the second all "Tree" OM!

If you regularly visit our website you've probably noticed that we are huge fans of the near-mythical mahogany from "The Tree." And for good reason. This is premium old growth Mahogany of a quality we rarely see anymore, which means it sounds as good as it looks. For those who haven't yet had the opportunity to experience this wood it is open, powerful, and incredibly resonant, with a sound that recalls some of the best vintage guitars we've played. All of the mahogany labeled "The Tree" came from one centuries old tree that fell in Central America over fifty years ago and was discovered to have richly quilted figuring. We've had a few guitars through the shop built from "The Tree" and the figuring here rivals the best of them.

The big unknown for us was how the guitar would sound. You almost never see mahogany from "The Tree" used as a soundboard, but having now played it we couldn't be more impressed. It boasts a wide open sound with a resonance you can feel.  Sometimes a mahogany top can lend the guitar a darker and mellower tone, but it quickly becomes evident that this is not the case here.  The sound is beautifully balanced up and down the fretboard with a surprising amount of growl and power in the bass register. The Brazilian rosewood bindings along with some other tasteful appointment details, beautifully frame and highlight this exceptional wood. A very special guitar.