Santa Cruz Vintage Artist 2026

Vintage Artist 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. 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. This instrument features an advanced, scalloped X-bracing for powerful bass, complemented by the clear tone and definition of master grade Mahogany. 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 Nut1-11/16″ Fingerboard Side Dots BlackInlay2mm dots Width at 14th Fret2-3/16″ Binding I/B/I Scale Length25.375″ Neck Shape V with Volute Finish Top Tinted Back &Sides Clear/Buffed Neck Clear/Matte Setup Pickguard Tortoise Tuners/gears Nickel Waverlys