Santa Cruz H 1955 50th Anniversary

The H Model is one of Santa Cruz Guitar Company's most important small-body designs, and this 50th Anniversary Limited Edition celebrates it in style. Introduced in 1978, the H was one of SCGC's earliest and most enduring departures from tradition, and it remains one of the guitars that helped redefine what a small-bodied instrument could be.

Inspired by a rare vintage design and brought to life through a collaboration with artist and luthier Paul Hostetter, the H challenged the idea that power comes from size. Instead it proved that balance, responsiveness and tonal complexity could define a new standard. With its distinctive proportions and deeply expressive voice, it quickly became a favourite among players seeking nuance and immediacy, equally at home in delicate fingerstyle passages and dynamic, articulate rhythm work. This 50th Anniversary edition honours that original vision with a refined, modern interpretation.

A small jumbo at heart, the H pairs a Sitka spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides and double-tapered bracing with a bass scallop, for a balanced, responsive voice with real depth. It is dressed with tasteful appointments throughout: ivoroid binding, a herringbone top purfling, an ivoroid rosette and a tortoise pickguard.

As a 50th Anniversary Edition, it carries the details reserved for this celebration: a custom scrimshaw heel cap and the wax-sealed 50th Anniversary label, along with a custom purfling combination top border that ties it visually to the rest of the anniversary collection. It is a fitting tribute to the model that started a small-body revolution.

This guitar has been carefully inspected for condition and playability, then set up to our Gold Standard by a luthier. We make sure it arrives in your hands exactly as it should: sounding its best, playing effortlessly and ready to be enjoyed from the very first note.