Happy Traum was taking full advantage of Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s custom shop capabilities long before it became their norm.  His first Santa Cruz was a Cocobolo/Adirondack H/13 model with a custom neck and finish; years later he worked with Richard once again to design an all Mahogany OM with wood bindings, abalone appointments and custom inlay.  When Richard proposed they collaborate on an official Happy Traum Signature Model Guitar, they combined the tonal, aesthetic and playability elements that Happy enjoyed in both custom builds to come up with a winning recipe, now forever known as the HT/13: Genuine Honduras Mahogany back/sides paired with salvaged, old growth Redwood and Adirondack bracing/hot hide glue in a small but deep bodied guitar delivers a bright, rich and clear tone with quick responsiveness, hearty low end and exceptional volume. The guitar is tastefully bound in ivoroid with abalone appointments and a custom top finish, rendering the HT/13 as stunning to behold as it is to play.

“I love my new Santa Cruz H-13. It has amazing sustain, plays smoothly and evenly up and down the fretboard, and sounds rich and full. (It’s also a joy to look at.) I’m finding notes I didn’t know existed on the guitar. Thanks to Richard and his staff for building a superb instrument that I’m proud to own.”  Happy Traum, Homespun Tapes

Stunning Redwood top!!