{"id":123580,"date":"2021-05-20T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/?p=123580"},"modified":"2023-05-31T20:08:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T03:08:43","slug":"great-acoustics-a-2021-santa-cruz-om-custom-with-a-storied-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/great-acoustics-a-2021-santa-cruz-om-custom-with-a-storied-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Acoustics: A 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom with a Storied Past"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Though this custom Santa Cruz OM was completed earlier this year, its story really begins with what would be the last Old West train robbery. On October 11, 1923, three criminally inclined brothers, Hugh, Ray, and Roy DeAutremont, made a disastrous and deadly attempt to rob Southern Pacific Train No. 13 as it made its way through a tunnel in Southern Oregon\u2019s Siskiyou Mountains. The debacle resulted in the murder of four rail employees, and the tunnel was heavily damaged from the explosives used to break into the mail car. All three brothers were captured and imprisoned for their crimes after a four-year manhunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Body of a 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom acoustic guitar made from Tunnel 13 Redwood\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-123512\" data-id=\"123512\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Tunnel-13-Redwood-2.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Tunnel-13-Redwood-2.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Tunnel-13-Redwood-2.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Tunnel-13-Redwood-2.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Closeup of binding, soundhole, and bridge of a 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom acoustic guitar made from Tunnel 13 Redwood\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-123509\" data-id=\"123509\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1492.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1492.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1492.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1492.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Closeup of binding, strings, and soundhole of a 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom acoustic guitar made from Tunnel 13 Redwood\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-123510\" data-id=\"123510\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1491.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1491.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1491.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1491.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Closeup of pickguard, soundhole, and bridge of a 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom acoustic guitar made from Tunnel 13 Redwood\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-123511\" data-id=\"123511\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1482.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1482.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1482.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/IMG_1482.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Figured maple back of a 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom acoustic guitar made from Tunnel 13 Redwood\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-123514\" data-id=\"123514\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/The-Tree.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/The-Tree.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/The-Tree.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/The-Tree.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The tunnel\u2019s large support beams were removed and tossed down an embankment. Realizing that they were made from old-growth redwood and had a remarkable story behind them, an enterprising luthier named Rob LaCoste salvaged the beams. The wood from these 2,000-year-old virgin-growth trees is exceptionally tight, with a dense and uniform grain, and after seasoning in a dark, temperate tunnel for over a century, the wood resins have polymerized, qualities that stood out to Santa Cruz Guitar Company founder Richard Hoover, who selected the redwood for the top of the guitar featured here. \u201cThe Tunnel 13 stuff we used was stiffer and denser and had a better velocity of sound than most of the redwood you could buy,\u201d says Hoover. \u201cYou pluck a string, and you get the response <em>quickly<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-store-books-videos-magazines.png?resize=600%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"the acoustic guitar store - books, magazines, gear, songs, videos, downloads, more\" class=\"wp-image-122569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-store-books-videos-magazines.png?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-store-books-videos-magazines.png?resize=300%2C100&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This Santa Cruz OM was actually made with several varieties of storied woods, including Tunnel 13 redwood for the top; Brazilian rosewood for the binding, back strip, and rosette; and uniquely figured mahogany sourced from \u201cthe Tree\u201d\u2014a legendary, centuries-old source of mahogany discovered in Belize\u2014for the back and sides. (<a href=\"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/welcome-to-the-jungle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See a feature on \u201cthe Tree\u201d in the March 2016 issue.<\/a>) Hoover says, \u201cThese rare woods are not only cool stories, but they\u2019ve become part of SCGC\u2019s story for the last 45 years, using responsibly harvested and salvaged woods. It\u2019s not only the right thing to do, but they sound better and make for a superior guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; padding: 20px 0px 0px 0px; margin: 0px 5%;\"><a style=\"pointer-events: none;\" tabindex=\"-1\" href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/back-issues\/products\/no-329-july-august-2021\"><br><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 198px; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/001_329_Cover_150px.jpg?w=1290&#038;ssl=1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><\/a>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15px 0px;\"><em>This article originally appeared in the <a style=\"pointer-events: none;\" tabindex=\"-1\" href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/back-issues\/products\/no-329-july-august-2021\">July\/August 2021<\/a> issue of <\/em>Acoustic Guitar<em> magazine.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Santa Cruz OM Custom was made with several storied tonewoods, including Tunnel 13 redwood; Brazilian rosewood; and figured mahogany sourced from the Tree.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":123513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"This Santa Cruz OM Customwas made with several storied tonewoods, including Tunnel 13 redwood; Brazilian rosewood; and figured mahogany sourced from the Tree.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[1146],"tags":[524,1314],"ppma_author":[1556],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Tunnel-13-Redwood-1.jpg?fit=750%2C1000&ssl=1","authors":[{"term_id":1556,"user_id":12,"is_guest":0,"slug":"greg-olwellstringletter-com","display_name":"Greg Olwell","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5e8dada80c5c5ebffe48b5a4cfd35f33?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Olwell","first_name":"Greg","description":"Greg Olwell is <i>Acoustic Guitar<\/i>'s editor-at-large. He plays upright bass in several bands in the San Francisco Bay Area and also enjoys playing ukulele and guitar."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123580"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123580"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123580\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139493,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123580\/revisions\/139493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123580"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=123580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}