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Join us for a celebration of 50 years, featuring performances by The Brothers Comatose, James Nash, Hustle Souls, Ron Artis II, and Catfish Keith, hosted by Nick Forster.
The historic Santa Cruz Guitar Company (SCGC) 50th Anniversary Concert is a landmark celebration honoring a half-century of world-class acoustic craftsmanship. Founded in 1976 by master luthier Richard Hoover, the company is commemorating five decades of building bespoke, high-caliber instruments “one player at a time”.
The monumental event takes place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the iconic Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, California. The block party begins in the afternoon, leading into the main stage performances starting at 5:30 PM.
The Landmark Venue
The celebration is anchored at the Rio Theatre, a beloved historic venue in Santa Cruz that perfectly matches the organic, community-driven spirit of SCGC.
- Location: Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz, CA
- Schedule: Doors open for General Admission at 5:00 PM, with the main showcase running from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
- Ticketing: General Admission tickets are $50 ($10 more at the door). Preferred seating is available for $75, and a $100 VIP Package offers premium access, special merchandise, and an exclusive artist meet-and-greet. All tickets are held at will-call.
Commemorative 50th Anniversary Guitars
In tandem with the concert, SCGC has launched a highly anticipated “Greatest Hits Collection” featuring five of their most iconic, historically significant models built in limited supply. To make the milestone accessible to the community, these instruments are offered with a special “retro price tag” of $6,450 at authorized dealers like the Chicago Music Exchange and Rudy’s Music Soho.
- The 50th Anniversary H Model: A standout centerpiece of the collection, this small jumbo guitar balances pristine comfort with incredible projection. It features a tight-grain Sitka spruce top, dark Indian rosewood back and sides, and an elegant ebony fingerboard.
- Exclusive Detailing: Each guitar in this rare anniversary run features a custom interior label hand-signed by Richard Hoover with a wax seal, alongside a distinct “50” inlaid directly into the neck heel cap
Where to buy:
Key Specifications
- Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
- Back & Sides: East Indian Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany with an ebony fingerboard
- Scale Length: 25.375 inches
- Nut Width: 1-11/16 inches
- Tuners: Waverly Nickel
The Star-Studded Lineup
The festival-style event spans across an outdoor neighborhood gathering and an indoor theater showcase, bringing together musicians whose careers have been shaped by these world-class guitars.
- Main Stage Artists: Curated performances by acoustic titans including The Brothers Comatose, guitar master James Nash, retro-soul outfits Hustle Souls, virtuoso Ron Artis II, and delta-blues icon Catfish Keith. The evening is hosted by legendary Live from Here and Hot Rize veteran Nick Forster.
- Pre-Show Block Party: An outdoor street fair packed with local food trucks and live music from SambaDá, SONiA, Shane Hall, Steve Palazzo, Adam Traum, Diggin Trails, Colin Cotter & Sumaia Jackson, and Ben Torres, all kept moving by M.C. Matt Weir.
Beyond the concert, fans can explore the company’s legacy locally through October 4th at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH), which is hosting a dedicated [Santa Cruz MAH Exhibit](https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2026/07/16/santa-cruz-mah-exhibit-celebrates-50 years of santa cruz…) highlighting historic instruments from the workshop.
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