Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought, (Used, Comm)

The Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought is a premium boutique acoustic guitar built for players who want power, clarity, projection and the fast note separation needed for serious flatpicking. Inspired by the legendary sound and playing requirements of Tony Rice, this model takes the dreadnought format and refines it for strong treble response, defined mids, clean articulation and a controlled low end that stays musical rather than boomy.

This pre-owned example is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

Supplied with a Martin dreadnought hardcase, this Santa Cruz Tony Rice model is a superb choice for bluegrass, flatpicking, folk, country, Americana, recording, acoustic performance and players looking for a high-end hand-built dreadnought with exceptional musical response.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Santa Cruz Guitar Company
Model	Tony Rice Dreadnought
Type	Steel-String Acoustic Guitar
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Top	Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard	Ebony
Bridge	Ebony
Scale Length	25.375"
Nut Width	1 11/16"
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Included	Martin Dreadnought Hardcase
Main Appeal	Boutique Tony Rice-inspired dreadnought with strong projection and flatpicking clarity
Best For	Bluegrass, flatpicking, folk, country, Americana, recording and acoustic performance

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought is in Very Good condition. This means it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership, but remains fully functional and ready to play.

Very Good condition is ideal for players who want a premium boutique acoustic that has been used and enjoyed, but remains clean, playable and well presented.

What’s Included?

✔ Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
✔ Martin Dreadnought Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows light signs of previous use such as small marks, light surface scratches or minor handling wear consistent with Very Good condition.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

The supplied Martin dreadnought hardcase is included with this guitar. It should not be described as the original Santa Cruz case unless separate provenance confirms that.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Body checked for visible structural concerns
• Top, back and sides inspected
• Neck condition assessed
• Fingerboard checked
• Frets inspected
• Bridge checked
• Saddle checked
• Nut checked
• Tuners checked
• String height assessed
• Acoustic response checked
• General playability assessed
• Martin dreadnought hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned acoustic guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked and assessed before leaving the shop.

This Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Saddle condition checked
• Nut condition checked
• Bridge condition checked
• Acoustic response checked
• General playability assessed

Please note that acoustic guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

For high-end acoustic guitars, we recommend storing the instrument in a stable environment away from extreme temperature or humidity changes.

Why Choose The Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought?

Built For Flatpicking Clarity

The Tony Rice model is designed for the demands of fast, articulate flatpicking. It is voiced to give strong note separation, responsive treble, present midrange and a powerful dreadnought voice that remains controlled.

Boutique Santa Cruz Craftsmanship

Santa Cruz Guitar Company is known for hand-built acoustic guitars with exceptional attention to voicing, materials and musical response. This model is aimed at players who want a premium acoustic with serious professional performance.

Dreadnought Power With Definition

Many dreadnoughts produce impressive bass, but the Tony Rice model is especially appealing because it balances projection with clarity. It has the strength needed for bluegrass lead lines while retaining enough control for rhythm, recording and dynamic acoustic playing.

Indian Rosewood And Sitka Spruce Voice

The combination of Indian rosewood back and sides with a Sitka spruce top gives this guitar depth, richness and harmonic complexity while retaining the clear attack needed for flatpicking.

Ebony Fingerboard And Bridge

Ebony is a premium appointment that contributes to the guitar’s precise feel, clean response and high-end playing experience.

Martin Dreadnought Hardcase Included

The included Martin dreadnought hardcase provides a practical storage and transport solution for this high-end acoustic guitar.

Serious Player And Collector Appeal

Santa Cruz Tony Rice models are highly respected by acoustic players, bluegrass musicians and boutique guitar enthusiasts. This Very Good condition example offers premium tone and craftsmanship in a practical pre-owned package.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Santa Cruz Tony Rice vs Martin D-28

A Martin D-28 is the classic rosewood dreadnought reference point. The Santa Cruz Tony Rice offers a more boutique, hand-voiced interpretation with a flatpicking-focused response and a more specialised tonal identity.

Santa Cruz Tony Rice vs Santa Cruz D Model

The Santa Cruz D Model is a broader dreadnought platform. The Tony Rice model is more specifically voiced around the needs of flatpickers, with a strong focus on note separation, treble clarity and defined projection.

Santa Cruz Tony Rice vs Collings D2H

A Collings D2H is known for precision, power and clean projection. The Santa Cruz Tony Rice offers a different boutique voice, with a responsive, hand-voiced character and a tone shaped around Tony Rice-style flatpicking.

Santa Cruz Tony Rice vs Bourgeois Dreadnought

Bourgeois dreadnoughts are admired for strong projection and refined voicing. The Santa Cruz Tony Rice stands apart through its specific Tony Rice design influence, large-soundhole identity and Santa Cruz tonal character.

Who Is It For?

Bluegrass Players

This guitar is especially well suited to bluegrass musicians who need volume, clarity and fast note response for lead lines and rhythm work.

Flatpickers

The Tony Rice model is built around the needs of flatpicking, making it ideal for players who want clean articulation and strong projection.

Folk And Americana Guitarists

Its balanced dreadnought voice works beautifully for open chords, melodic playing, singer-songwriter arrangements and acoustic ensemble work.

Studio Players

A high-quality dreadnought with strong note definition can be easier to record than an overly boomy acoustic. This model is well suited to detailed acoustic tracking.

Boutique Acoustic Enthusiasts

Players who appreciate Santa Cruz craftsmanship, premium tonewoods and hand-built acoustic guitars will find plenty to like here.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought is well suited to:

• Bluegrass
• Flatpicking
• Folk
• Country
• Americana
• Acoustic blues
• Singer-songwriter work
• Studio recording
• Live acoustic performance
• Acoustic lead playing
• Rhythm guitar
• Ensemble playing
• Players wanting a boutique dreadnought acoustic

Why Choose A Tony Rice-Style Dreadnought?

A Tony Rice-style dreadnought is built for players who need more than just volume. It needs to project clearly, respond quickly and keep individual notes defined during fast flatpicked passages.

The dreadnought body provides power and low-end authority, while the Tony Rice design approach focuses on articulation, treble presence and a cleaner bass response. That makes it especially useful for bluegrass leads, strong rhythm work and acoustic ensemble playing where the guitar needs to be heard clearly.

For players who want a premium acoustic that rewards precision, dynamics and strong right-hand technique, the Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought is a serious professional-level choice.

Looking for advice on choosing the right boutique acoustic, dreadnought or flatpicking guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought

Tony Rice is one of the most influential flatpicking guitarists of all time, known for his speed, clarity, touch and refined acoustic tone. The Santa Cruz Tony Rice model was created to meet the musical demands associated with that style of playing: power, definition, response and balance.

Santa Cruz Guitar Company has long been respected among acoustic players for its hand-built approach and careful voicing. Rather than simply producing a loud dreadnought, the Tony Rice model focuses on musical clarity and dynamic control, making it suitable for both lead and rhythm work.

This Very Good condition example, supplied with a Martin dreadnought hardcase, is a high-end acoustic for players who want boutique craftsmanship, flatpicking authority and a distinctive Santa Cruz voice.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Steel-String Acoustic Guitar
Brand	Santa Cruz Guitar Company
Model	Tony Rice Dreadnought
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Top Wood	Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Indian Rosewood
Neck	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Ebony
Bridge	Ebony
Scale Length	25.375"
Nut Width	1 11/16"
Soundhole Style	Tony Rice / Large Soundhole Style
String Configuration	6-String
Included	Martin Dreadnought Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Specification Note

This listing is based on the supplied product details and Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s published Tony Rice model information. Santa Cruz lists the Tony Rice Signature Model with master grade Indian rosewood, old Sitka spruce, a 1 11/16" nut width and a flatpicking-focused voice.

Santa Cruz instruments can vary by year, build sheet, custom options and individual specification. Exact serial number, year, top grade, back and side set, neck profile, saddle spacing, case originality, weight and any factory options should be confirmed directly from this guitar or through Santa Cruz’s serial/specification lookup before making collector-level claims.

The included Martin dreadnought hardcase is listed as the supplied case and is not described as the original Santa Cruz case.

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is an acoustic guitar and only requires a suitable set of steel acoustic guitar strings.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought is an exceptional boutique acoustic for players who want power, clarity and professional flatpicking response. Its rosewood-and-spruce dreadnought voice gives it depth and authority, while the Tony Rice-inspired design keeps the tone articulate, defined and highly musical.

This Very Good condition example, supplied with a Martin dreadnought hardcase, is ideal for bluegrass players, flatpickers, acoustic performers and serious guitarists who want a premium hand-built dreadnought with outstanding stage and studio potential.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought in?

This guitar is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional.

Does this guitar come with a case?

Yes. This Santa Cruz Tony Rice Dreadnought comes with a Martin dreadnought hardcase.

Is the Martin case original to the guitar?

The Martin dreadnought hardcase is supplied with this guitar, but it should not be described as the original Santa Cruz case unless separate provenance confirms that.

What style of guitar is this?

This is a high-end steel-string dreadnought acoustic guitar designed with flatpicking clarity and projection in mind.

What woods are associated with this model?

Santa Cruz lists the Tony Rice Signature Model with Indian rosewood back and sides and a Sitka spruce top.

What styles does this guitar suit?

It suits bluegrass, flatpicking, folk, country, Americana, acoustic blues, singer-songwriter work, recording and live acoustic performance.

Is this suitable for bluegrass?

Yes. The Tony Rice model is especially well suited to bluegrass and flatpicking thanks to its strong projection, clarity and note separation.

Does it require a battery?

No. This is an acoustic guitar and does not require a battery.

Is this suitable for recording?

Yes. The clear note separation and controlled dreadnought response make it a strong choice for studio recording.

Can I try this guitar in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Santa Cruz guitars, boutique acoustics, dreadnoughts and pre-owned acoustic instruments.