It's my view that the small shop builders custom build for their dealers. A high end dealer will call up Santa Cruz and order all kinds of custom features tailored to their clientele. So you get exotic woods matched with 400 year old reclaimed redwood tops they know they can sell for a large margin. I wonder how many entry level D PWs they make with no alterations. There are a lot of boxes to check that are no extra cost options. Mine was ordered with bear claw and herringbone and mahogany back and sides.
I guess every small shop has their own way of dealing. Comparable to Martin is not a concept these builders want to think about, for their existence depends on the perception of better.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom
1970 Guild D 35
1965 Epiphone Texan
2011 Santa Cruz D P/W
Pono OP 30 D parlor
Pono OP12-30
Pono MT uke
Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic
Fluke tenor ukulele
Boatload of home rolled telecasters
"Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa
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