The Thrill of Acquisition Part Deux - The Joy of Receipt
Starting Point
Back in November, I wrote this, which discussed my year long quest to shop for and purchase a guitar. After three months and eleven days, I received my new Santa Cruz Guitar on February 16th. This post is more of a photoblog (would that make it a plog?). I wanted to share - with those who are interested - pictures documenting the construction starting with the last picture from my previous blog, which was a photo of Richard with the pieces of wood I had selected for my instrument when I visited Santa Cruz Guitar Company. The week following my visit those pieces were cut and shaped into what would become the guitar's body. The week before Christmas, the following pictures arrived showing the constructed body without the neck. The beauty of the sunburst is already stunning coupled with how well the rosewood pieces really stand out on the back of the body. By late January, the neck had been added and the instrument entered the finishing stages.
The Pieces
The Back with bracing
Bracing
Preliminary Front
The Back
Finishing
The neck
The Head
Chuck w/ my guitar
Arrival
The guitar was finished in early February and SCGC shipped it to Apple Music Row in Portland, OR - the store I purchased thru. My new friend and fellow SCGC fan, Chuck Johnson received it and after checking it out had it repackaged and shipped to me in North Carolina.It arrived at my office in Mount Airy. I texted my wife with the above picture. She replied back - "Wait until we get home tonight so we can open it together." Recalling that it was a gift from her and my daughters, it seemed only fair that we should all be together. So, I waited until that night.Upon removing it from the case, I immediately fell in love - it is a gorgeous instrument and sounds beautiful. I started to play the first song that came into my head - Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open The Door." My wife and daughters were so excited for me as I began to strum. It didn't take long before they quickly fell in love with it too.My thanks goes out to Richard and the entire Santa Cruz Guitar Company crew for their dedication and skill. A special shout out goes to Carolyn - who was very patient and accomodating of my eagerness as I routinely e-mailed her, requesting status and new photos. I also want thank Chuck at Apple Music in Portland for making this possible and allowing me to use one of his available SCGC build slots. In addition, I owe him thanks for encouraging me to travel to Santa Cruz to select the woods with him and Richard, allowing me to experience the "Thrill of Acquisition." Now it's on to the thrill of enjoyment and playing.
Playing