A one of kind 50th Anniversary build, the D Custom Clementine Cowgirl from Santa Cruz Guitars was the cornerstone of their display at the 2026 NAMM Show. The Cowgirl inlay has a unique place in Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s history- both as a visual motif and as a symbol of the company’s independent spirit. First introduced on their 35th anniversary guitar, the “Clementine Cowgirl” inlay wasn’t just decorative, it celebrated a moment in SCGC’s history. It evokes the rugged individualism of the American West and pioneering spirit that parallels SCGC’s own journey- forging a path outside the factory system, focuses on artistic purpose rather than mass production. For the 50th Anniversary Dreadnought guitar, SCGC founder Richard Hoover chose to bring the Cowgirl motif back because it resonates perfectly with this milestone. It ties together past and present: honoring a design from a meaningful previous anniversary while representing enduring values. There are extra added elements as well that point to the company’s past including figured Koa body, SCGC’s S29 purfling, and their famous Georgia Peach Sunburst with a “Southern Belle” style soundhole finish.
The Santa Cruz D 50th Anniversary is built with highly figured Hawaiian Koa back and sides paired with a premium Bearclaw Italian Spruce top with Georgia Peach Sunburst finish. Features Include Clementine Cowgirl Pearl and wood headstock inlay and star at the 5th fret inlay, Ivoroid heelcap with 50 inlay, 50th Anniversary interior label with wax seal signed my Richard Hoover, Ivoroid full body, fretboard and headstock bindings, S29 top purfling, rosette and backstrip, Adirondack Spruce bracing with Hot Hide Glue, Mahogany neck with haircut headstock, Ebony fretboard and bridge, Waverly Gold tuners with Ivoroid butterbean tuners, Ebony headstock overlay, Bone pins, 1 11/16″ nut width, 2 3/16″ saddle spacing, 25.375″ scale length and more.
The Dreadnought: the design that introduced boutique lutherie. In the early 1970’s, it was the rare player who would consider any guitar smaller than a dreadnought. Stellar players were handicapped by the traditional D’s predominate bass and thin trebles. The strength of the typical dreadnought guitar is in its power and volume, which is achieved by the guitar’s large body size. The increased air space also gives the instrument a predisposition to the bass range, an asset to some playing styles and a detriment to others.
The Santa Cruz D Model has a unique tapered bracing, voiced to enhance the midrange and treble without compromising the bass volume. This voicing gives the D Model a more even balance and a greater versatility than traditionally braced dreadnoughts. The Santa Cruz Guitar Company dreadnought model was carefully conceived to accommodate the modern player’s need for sophisticated balance with more substance in midrange and treble. To deliver these qualities in the acceptable dreadnought-sized body required a very non-traditional approach, as compared to the factory offerings of the day. Using time honored lutherie skills, SCGC created a Trojan Horse – familiar on the outside, dangerous on the inside. SCGC’s innovative D Model remains a mainstay of artists who require acoustic volume without compromising the quality of higher frequencies.
Includes hardshell case and Lifetime Warranty.
Free shipping in the continental United States.
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