Santa Cruz Dreadnought Quilted Mahogany Upgrade Acoustic Guitar

The Santa Cruz D Model reimagines the dreadnought as more than just a powerhouse of bass and volume. Traditionally, dreadnoughts of the 1970s were prized for projection but often lacked balance, with overwhelming lows and thin trebles. Santa Cruz Guitar Company addressed this with innovative tapered bracing, carefully voiced to enhance midrange and treble without sacrificing bass response.

This build features a Quilted Mahogany upgrade for the back and sides, paired with a Sitka spruce top, delivering both warmth and clarity. With elegant ivoroid binding, violin purfle rosette, and nickel Waverly tuners, this D Model combines boutique craftsmanship with classic style.

Takeaway

A boutique dreadnought designed for balance and versatility, the Santa Cruz D Model blends traditional power with refined tonal sophistication—perfect for modern players who need projection without sacrificing clarity.

Highlights

• Tapered Bracing Innovation – Enhances midrange and treble while retaining full dreadnought bass.

• Premium Tonewoods – Quilted Mahogany back/sides with Sitka Spruce top for warmth, projection, and sparkle.

• Boutique Craftsmanship – Handbuilt by Santa Cruz Guitar Company using time-honored lutherie techniques.

• Elegant Appointments – Ivoroid binding, violin purfle rosette, tortoise pickguard, nickel Waverly tuners.

• Modern Player Focus – Balanced, versatile voicing suited for both flatpicking and fingerstyle.

Specifications

• Body: Quilted Mahogany back/sides (upgrade), Sitka Spruce top

• Binding: Ivoroid with violin purfle combo

• Bracing/Voicing: Tapered bracing

• Neck: Mahogany, solid square peghead, round barrel profile

• Nut Width: 1-11/16″

• Scale Length: 25.375″

• Fingerboard: Ebony with 2mm dot inlays, ivoroid binding, black side dots

• Bridge Spacing: 2-3/16″

• Finish: Clear top, clear/buffed back & sides, matte neck

• Hardware: Nickel Waverly tuners

• Pickguard: Tortoise

• Headstock Inlay: SCGC logo