Gretchen Menn Plays "Going to California" on a 1997 Santa Cruz D | Acoustic Guitar Auction

With classic mahogany dreadnought specs and a high-quality build from a pioneering guitar maker, this mid-’90s Santa Cruz dreadnought sounds like you’d expect. The slim, modern neck shape feels fast, and the binding gives it a deluxe look. This guitar shows some honest, but very minor, play wear but was well cared-for, so it is in very good condition. The Brazilian rosewood headstock face adds an especially lovely look to the guitar.
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This guitar sold for $2,600 in our February guitar auction (store.acoustic...)
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[@koishooter]

I'm from California. This is a Northern Cali Spring morning. Driving west through the hills of Napa... It's a little chilly, dew on the Golden Hills, sun rising into a blue sky... getting warmer, until it's a perfect 73 Fahrenheit... suddenly the ocean comes into view, a few minutes later you can smell the sea... You start to realize the thousand possibilities at once, but you are not manic, you're totally at peace.

[@DriftwoodBeachMom]

Absolutely! I have felt that same feeling ....yep, Northern Cali...like nowhere else.

[@pcatful]

Reminds me of Big Sur. But it is also my theme song, because I returned to California 40 years ago. On my own, just pulling out of my past life, looking for something new, nothing going at all in my life, and I met my wife within a couple weeks. 40 years going strong. And we live in Sonoma now.

[@MrBlahdiblahdi]

Good morning brother. I'm in The Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia and getting that same vibe. Our grapes make some very good wine too. Sometimes they are actually the same grapes that do well in the Napa Valley. It works for the song too; Goin to Shenandoah with an aching in my heart.

[@koishooter]

@@MrBlahdiblahdi Thanks for the tip! If If get a chance to get out that way, I am for sure visiting!

[@james.simpson020]

I so appreciate that delightful word picture

[@dariushshikhaboolhassan783]

I have only one word to describe the guitar playing skills of Gretchen Menn, amazing.

[@christopherhanna5754]

Ok she's top notch and this recording performance is stunning and spotless.

[@drd1924]

I know, freakin amazing!

[@Skribblez_Entertainment]

And so is that guitar 😍

[@curtisduncanmusic7645]

She's also drop-dead beautiful, but, hey...

[@Krispy1011]

Gretchen - she is wonderful and very talented - great job Gretchen - thx!

[@cavaturnagesh]

that is like mind blowing wow

[@stevejazzband]

I remember coming home from a brutal boarding school in Idaho, driving my pickup across the state line back home into California with this song playing. Every time I hear it, I'm right back to that feeling of freedom. And that guitar is probably worth $5,000...

[@mwj5368]

Hi Steve! Thanks for your moving story! I was in Job Corps in the Cascades of Oregon in '73. A small radio in a distant room from our once a week indoors class with carpentry was playing Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heavens Door". It was distant, faint, but especially ethereal in the kind of acoustic-like space. It had a very moving effect on me where I can relate to your story. Job Corps could be brutal too, but I was 19, much older, and I could leave, quit, whenever I wanted which would've been probably not even possible for you, yet I can relate to your story. Really though you would get $14 a month spending money and more difficult to hit the road and leave. (I did and hitchhiked, gone for a week). The song with the acoustic effect, really putting up with a lot of mistreatment in JC, gave me a feeling of a good kind of spookiness, a kind of liberation, like laying under a stand of sunlit golden aspen in a breeze against a clear blue mountain sky kind of feeling of liberation. Gretchen Menn is amazing. I feel she's right up there with Leo Kotkke. I see it's a Santa Cruz guitar... I like finding videos from guitar makers as it's fun to see how they design guitars and make them. It's a fantastic sounding guitar.

[@espada9]

California is the last place to go for freedom in 2022.

[@darrenadams3383]

Music ,is as close as you will come to a time machine !

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Never heard of that brand of guitar, and the tone is fine but I am sure I have heard better.

[@dieselman7453]

Yes the guitar is expensive but listen to the sound sounds like my lowden guitar!! Her fingers are magic

[@gregcarter2302]

Someone told me there’s a girl out there…with love in her eyes and…some serious guitar chops! Nicely done. Captured the spirit of the song

[@pauladcock6458]

It's always interesting to watch someone playing Jimmy's compositions for open tunings. He was really a master at writing in this style & expanding the horizons of the instrument.

[@wlodell]

This performance takes me back to the magic of my years of innocence.

[@Scott-hq3jq]

You played that so wonderfully. I am 51 years old and the older I get the MORE I understand how great that era was - Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Velvet Underground. You floated it out in the air, a cascade of butterfly wingbeats fluttering in my ears. You played it wonderfully! There is nothing like Led Zeppelin. (And the Doors. :))

[@axs62]

Never get tired of watching the focus Gretchen exhibits as she plays. A true pro to be admired.

[@basiczyn]

I think the prettiest guitarist of the world. :)

[@orangescout1967]

That is one fantastic left hand and an otherworldly right hand…..beautiful…..brava!!!!

[@NoWayOut55]

That Santa Cruz has incredible tone.

[@josefcosta8267]

Wow...beautiful, serene, transcendent

[@jadeedmundson5715]

Gretchen Menn is an amazing player, wow! I have to say, l have never heard one single finger style performance on YT for guitar demos, tutorials, covers or anything at all, where the player did not flub a note or two, or some of the notes were not played crisply, but this was perfection, on a not so easy to play song. Well done Gretchen🙌👏💐🙏🏻🐶 BTW, nice guitar, Santa Cruz!

[@daddio307]

I appreciate your appreciation, but obviously you've never seen or heard Carl Miner on the North American Guitar channel. Check it out

[@steveb9325]

@@daddio307 you beat me to the punch. That was awesome by Gretchen though. We know what it takes and appreciate awesome players like Gretchen and Carl

[@iqosuser2754]

This was really nice enjoyed it.

[@001USA001]

Flubs are normal for us humans.

[@fredsmith6324]

Beautiful. Such a beautiful tune. Never would've thought, it's better without the mandolin.

[@Guy-pu3nb]

I know music, can't play it, I sure do listen, you give me goosebumps. That's very rare with me, Thanks and you very special

[@MrMattyflower]

Possibly the most beautiful song ever written, played superbly. Thank you Gretchen 🙏

[@TuckerPastor]

She's married Matt. Go take a cold shower, and release your loins. Smdh

[@jimmysupafly1547]

When I learned to play this song I felt like my fingerpicking had gone to a new level. Great song to learn.

[@dano1234v]

What tuning is it played in?

[@ishaanrtiwari5663]

@@dano1234v Double drop D

[@dano1234v]

@@ishaanrtiwari5663 Thank you

[@donmac5918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z57Gq5d8Zcujpqs ❣️

[@TimTheMusicMan]

She was perfect !!!!!!!!

[@NexusDL12]

Beautifully played! Love that song. Gretchen, can you do a tutorial lesson of that song?

[@leonrmerian4864]

very very nice as a guitarist my hat is off for you , totally one of a kind thank you leon r

[@JSProjectWild]

Can we talk about the incredible memory capacity that musicians have? Also, Gretchen truly loves to listen as she makes the guitar sing. And Jimmy Page, I find myself thinking, what the heck kind of a thought process has to occur to assemble all those notes into a masterpiece such as this? Mind blowing to us non-musicians!

[@SuperEdge67]

All that’s missing is John Paul Jones on a mandolin to accompany you.

[@beemelonhead1]

You're so right.. all I kept hearing in the background of my mind was his mandolin. It really brings the song together. John Paul Jones is terribly underrated in Zeppelin fandom in my opinion.

[@randomprecisionmotors3130]

@@beemelonhead1 no he ain't...he's just as appreciated as Jimmy Page or John Bonham or Robert Plant...without ANY of them Led Zeppelin simply wouldn't have been. Proof of this is an attempted remake with Jason Bonham...it was good alright, but it just wasn't the same, and the same would be true if any other was taken out of the lineup...

[@Davilow]

On live versions of this song (1975 and 1977) Page plays the mandolin and JPJ plays the six-string on his three-neck guitar.

[@coryCuc]

@@randomprecisionmotors3130 Such a long-winded comment over someone's subjective opinion.

[@randomprecisionmotors3130]

@@coryCuc Long winded is the spoken word. What you're looking for is 'Run-On-Sentence', which isn't present, as I used proper punctuation. You want 'long winded'? I'll do about 7 paragraphs next time, without any punctuation at all, and then you may have a valid observation...in my experience brevity invites criticism...

[@paulrandall2564]

Ok, so this is what being born with everything looks like!

[@Moonshot568]

What a beauty, I’m in love .

[@jamesmonahan1870]

Wonderful performance. ❤

[@joolslaloosh]

I've never seen or heard anything so beautiful. Flawless. ❤

[@sprezzatura8755]

Beautiful, immaculate and soulful. Her guitar-playing is wonderful as well. She makes it look effortless.

[@kirksings]

Beautifully done Gretchen.

[@anxiousbeachbums]

C'mon people.........Be a little more generous with those "Thumbs Up". Pretty girl playing a wonderful rendition of a great song. What more can you ask for?

[@jasonmears4393]

Wow! Absolutely stunning. This is most definitely going on my playlist. When I listen to this, I just want to turn off all the lights...and put this version on repeat and let it take me away to pure bliss.

[@alecolson9169]

Dude I hear ya on that

[@thomasbrown6169]

This was the first finger picking song I ever learned, still one of my favorites to play. Well done

[@startreker8591]

Liked that ax y the axer y the thing she axes, Go Cal!(: Ty too!

[@dieselboatman5357]

Always enjoy listening to a player with a talented right hand.

[@jameskratz4612]

Beautiful playing.

[@bghill1000]

Thank you for this! I have taken inspiration from this version of the song because you made it so easy to see and learn. I appreciate that. I'm from California but live in Nashville now. It still takes a teacher to help me learn songs, and I am grateful for you tube videos like this that make it simple to absorb. ❤👍☺

[@geraldcurtis9646]

i could listen to Gretchen all day. Just amazing.

[@LutherKrank]

Stunningly beautiful performance, Gretchen is incredible...

[@toddscheler7194]

When a video shows up in your feed you just feel compelled to watch.......❤

[@sla68495]

Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years of exercise and sacrifice, but it's worth it. Congratulations.

[@michaeldoucette]

Everytime I think of quitting,I think of Gretchen!!!

[@billvill61]

Beautiful! The guitar's not bad either...

[@malthus101]

😃

[@clivetaylor27]

what makes this performance divine is your Mona Lisa smile as you transmit the beauty of the piece.

[@jc.5513]

No matter what you play DAN I REALLY INJOY IT. Those little extra notes you put in.Love it-gives me incentive, to keep on studying and practicing. Thank you and keep on rolling.

[@aussiefarmer8741]

Lovely playing Thank you.

[@stevemitchell5389]

Saw zep perform it in 76 and John Paul Jones played guitar and page was on mandolin.

[@janrandles8683]

This was my theme and dream song for years and finally moved to CA. Beautiful performance Gretchen, I aspire to fingerpick like that on my Breedlove! Loved it!!

[@RichardFriendartist]

beautifully played!!

[@bmac1205]

How in the world have I never heard of this amazing talent?

[@jackheslin5237]

WOW that's gorgeous Gretchen. Thank you!

[@danabiondo9243]

So Beauty Filled ! Thank You Brother Jimmy, Sister Gretchen !

[@PeterMurr-sl9gu]

just beautiful playing! Thanks!

[@jeffersonjcoat]

Nice job !

[@quicksandproductions]

Nice to hear Gretchen before closing my eyes for the night with that melody and her soft touch on the strings - thanks

[@lemaitrethemonk]

Love this lady's chops. Just what I needed; a serotonin hit...

[@lindsaythomas2283]

Fantastic playing. I play lefty style and had the chance to play a lefty Santa Cruz, Tony Rice and a Santa Cruz D-12 at Jerry's Lefty Guitars in Sarasota Fl a few years ago. They were the 2 best sounding guitars I have ever laid hands on. I kick myself in the ass for not buying either one of them.

[@wladimirfoltran9511]

Fantastica

[@keoni927]

Thank you for brightening up the world with your beauty and your beautiful music Gretchen.

[@JGonzales52]

Thank you for sharing. I had forgotten how beautiful this song is.

[@markrose5968]

Gretchen Mann, WOW, fantastic, gonna watch this over and over again so I can it down. Going to California is one of my favorite Zeppelin songs.

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Start by tuning your guitar to double drop D: DADGBD….

[@gcarlton]

Even J. Page used a thumbpick to play this. What a beautiful sounding guitar. Going to be looking for some more Gretchen Menn videos.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Great job!!! I used to perform this song ( among many other Zep tunes ) decades ago.......I played and sang it at the same time. Being the perfectionist that I ( once ) was.........I can honestly say: she NAILED it. Sweet guitar too.

[@embmargiotta4706]

gretchen kills it great job ❤

[@wlodell]

I never get tired listening to this.

[@imoffthehillma8013]

Beautiful version mate: thanks for sharing this!

[@markwaxham7682]

That was awesome

[@StevieOcean]

Excellent played with feeling and emotion Stevie Ocean 😎🇯🇪💯⭐️👏👏❤️👍

[@b1j]

Lovely. Nice work. Thanks also for the lesson. We can follow your tuning and fingerings. You have spawned a new cohort of people who know how to play this dreamy classic.

[@clivetaylor27]

Awesome, one of my favourites, now immortalized by you,

[@jrockofages5413]

Wonderful! Made my day. Fluid and soft...like a waterful

[@chrississon2646]

Awesome

[@randallgargan8369]

Not sure if the comments are ever read by Gretchen however, I will say what an amazing Talented Artist and Teacher. Thank you so much for the inspiration and education.

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

We passed your message along to Gretchen; she says "How lovely, thank you!"

[@genoadams2463]

Oooh.... That felt good....

[@MrLbd1921]

Soulful playing

[@leontoolbelt4559]

listn again. juss so beautiful!!!! and for the record, Gratchen im chill. thank you.

[@trevortoop5166]

Never mind the playing. I can't stop LOOKING at her.

[@maxkelter3561]

Didn't know the title of that song. But kept listening......then I knew who it was. Thanks for sharing.

[@Richard-po6fl]

absolutely awesome. replaying over and over playing my j45

[@rgrbmac3066]

Awesome flawless performance Gretchen!

[@adamskaboy]

Awesome! Whoa! Really excellent! I’ll have to subscribe!

[@geoff1685]

Beautiful

[@andydinesguitar]

Fantastic rendition, thanks Gretchen!😊😊😊😊

[@sparkster65]

Fantastic!!!

[@michaelsingley5641]

Simply wonderful 🌷❤️👏

[@traubentaucher4035]

Pretty wonderful 🌹 I love this song ! Timeless

[@uddielad]

Exquisite and immensely tasteful. Love it gold performance 💗.

[@markmartin3221]

This is how I fell in Love with this instrument, a beautiful woman playing exquisitely well.

[@jessebfly]

This is perfection. Wonderful

[@Yarcman6245]

Amazingly graceful guitarist

[@ricomon35]

Happy ears... :)

[@tedwilson5713]

Wow. Thank you.

[@Skribblez_Entertainment]

I love that string squeal when she goes back to the G. Beautifuuul!

[@andrewangeli2657]

Beautifully played

[@artemisnite]

Every time I hear this song it just crushes me that the most beautiful melody ever can't be written anymore because here it is.

[@MrPiglet247]

wonderful rendition

[@johntucci5908]

Absolutely glorious. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@georgegarbutt8853]

What a peaceful song Gretchen. Awesome!

[@georgegarbutt8853]

I have listened to this time and time and time again. Zep needs to travel a bit

[@matthewserkert4401]

Simply beautiful.