Giannini Craviola 6 String

Mid 70's Nylon string with the asymetrical shape making upper registers accessable. Laminated, but no problesm with that and the mahogany back on mine is the most beautiful I have seen. Wide, flat fingerboard.

No strap pins. This is strictly a sit on lap classical. Excellent balance and feel for that, though.

Came with case which is a must. Of course, this was hard paperboard which has been dented. Pretty and functional gold velvet fabric inside.

As with others, first semi good guitar so has sentimental value and I emjoyed going back periodically after raging on a new toy. Since doing more recording, it has returned as an essential piece (see below.)

The sound has sweetened, ripened and enriched over the years. It was called a viola since the designer thought thats how it sounded and this is close. Highs are mellowed significantly with nylon. Lots of upper midrange. Just OK for wide range of nylon string music, but has an outstanding, unique sound for certain applications. I record by adjusting position of guitar to the mike while playing (duh) but have found some stunning harp like sounds. Just something real lovable about its sound. Surprisingly good projection for its size. Also pretty dynamic.

Some slight flaws in joining but hardly noticable. Matched top and back and what a back.

As mentioned before, just begs to be played, everyone loves it.

Bridge reglued twice due to my stupidity with dry winter climate of Wisconsin and Minnesota. No other problems at all. Finish has prevented minor scratches and nicks well. No soiling or staining through. Would a repectful artist perform for pay without back up equipment? I think not.

Can find them online now but have never needed anything. Repaired reasonably by Dave's Guitar in LaCrosse Wisconsin before they were big. Nothing special needed.

Nice sounding. Sturdy. Very beautiful woods no longer available. Recently saw a 12 string on ebay which matched year and looks very closely, but regretably lost track due to death in family. Low prices for these make for a good buy for a beginner guitarist, as well as a good buy for sentimental value, certain appications, or frankly to just have on the wall or stand for looks (only when showing off- put it back in the case now for the future!) If you can find one. And if you can find one in good shape.

Standard rosewood and spruce acoustic classical. Purchased in 1971 for $185. Just pure luck. Was the first guitar I purchased, found at the first store I looked at. The style was so intriguing that I was drawn to it. I paid $10 more than I paid for wife #1's engagement ring one month later. Problem.

I've only seen one other in preson, that being recently at an antique shop. I once saw Jose Feliciano play a Craviola on the Tonight Show back when Johnny Carson was the host.

Maybe there were acoustic guitars with built-in electronics back then, but I didn't know about them. As far as I know, it had all the features that it was possible to have on an acoustic 35 years ago.

I play a variety of music, and it sounds good in all of them. I have now given this to my son, and when I visit him, I am amazed at how rich it sounds, even after he put multiple dents in the top with a pool ball when he was about 2 years ago.

I play a D-major alternate tuning much of the time, and the sound is wonderfully rich.

Tuning pegs started getting a little looser than I like after 20 years or so.

I used to play it in church, Madrigal dinners and Christmas Eve and such.

Never needed. That is the best customer support of all.

I have been playing 38 years. I also have an Ovation classical acoustic, a Taylor "Big Baby" standard acoustic, and a "Fox Hollow" standard acoustic by Alvarez.

I just purchased a 6 string craviola for $500. It's was made in 1978 and has rosewood sides and back, mahoghany neck, rosewood fingerboard, jumbo frets, and laminated spruce top. The tuning pegs have been changed. The sound is as unique as its shape. The bass tones really punch out and the higher strings are well balanced with great attack and bright sound. Overall the sound is excellent,there are no buzzes.

The look of the instrument is what sets in apart, the finish is in excellent condition, clear varnish and nearly a scratch on it. The only defects are the bridge which is at about a 30 degree pitch forward, normal for an instrument of this type and age. There are also stress cracks on the top behind the bridge, a condition of the laminated spruce.The action is excellent and plays beautifully. The nut and bridge have apparently been reglued and repaired.

The craviola is very sturdy and I would have no problem using it for gigs, the overall fit and finish is good. Although it is now 28 years old it still has a lot of life in it and plays great.

Never have contacted factory

I have been playing guitar for 30 years and have owed several acoustic guitars, the craviola has a unique sound and is fun to play. It is not comparable to a Martin, which I own, because they are two completely different instruments. I think the shape is very appealing and comfortable to play and I hope it becomes a valuable collectible item.

It was made in about 1972 in Brazil. Has rosewood back and sides and I believe a mahogony top

I play mostly folk and country. As far as I'm concerned, it has a better sound that many I've played with that had very expensive (Guild Martin) guitars. The finish has held up very well even though I've had it in Florida, CT, and the southwest.

I've only played occasionally, but it still looks and sounds as good as when I got it. I don't know how it would stand up to continuous hard playing.

I've never needed to contact the factory.

I would look for another Giannini just like this one if I had to replace it. It is beautiful, gets lots of comments on its shape, and has great tone for the type of music I do. The only other guitar is a $300 Fender so I have a steel string option. I would much rather use the Giannini

I have one of the new models a 2005. This Gianinni model GWSCRA6-EL acoustic-electric steel 6-string Craviola comes with Giannini's "B-Band" 3 band preamp. It's beautiful solid Sitka Spruce top, Pau-Ferro/Morado back and sides, is accentuated by it's gold plated machine heads. It also features an adjustable truss rod.

When I saw this gem hanging from the wall at the Music Zoo in Little Neck New York, I was eye struck by it's beauty. The shape alone convinced me to pick it up and try her out. To my surprize it sounded rich and warm and natural sounding. Bought it on the spot. It's not a Martin but it just plays so well.

The set-up was excellent, nice low action and no buzzing anywhere across the fret board. The playability was fast and easy no matter what position your in. The woods in this guitar are simply plush and lush and thats why it sounds so good. Where I did find problems was in the finish. The center line on the back and anywhere else that a line met another line flaws were evident. The pre-amp which is called the B Band worked well when played thru my Crate 25 watt acuoustic amp. No feed back and a rich tone.

I see no problems in reliability if you take care of it, and yes I would use it without a back-up. It's on the lite side in weight but a close inspection shows that it's solid all the way around.

Have no idea. It has a 3 year warranty.

Been playing to long to remember. All in all this is a beautifull guitar that plays quite well and sounds even better. If lost or stolen I would buy it again. Oh by the way if you play out with it expect to meet new friends, it's a conversational pieace also. Excuse me what is that called?

Made in 1973/74 in Brazil.
Laminated top I believe.
Mohogany sides and back.

Plays all genres great.
Has been played in concerts, club gigs, everywhere from California, Georgia and NYC.

Bought off the shelf (new) Only had the bridge changed twice. The under bridge was made of softer wood and the steel string balls pulled through.
No flaws, except for heavy use, in some wild places.
Some dings, but doesnt' affect the playability of sound.
D-Hole worn on bottom, some inlay worn out.

This instrument just keeps on playing and playing and playing. I've been playing for over 40 years, all brands and types. This is still one of my all time favorites.

Who knows.

Wish I had another, in original condition. It was beautiful, and actually still is.

It was made in 1978. It also has the date but you got to know how to read Portages for the month.
It has a total of 20 frets, and the neck joins the body at he 14th fret.
All the hardware works great.
It has a very unique shape that no other accoustic guitars have which also makes it alot easier to reach the high notes.

The sound is amazing. It is rich and full. The tone of the guitar is warm where it needs to be and bright where it needs to be. I play blues, jazz, and rock, but I use this guitar for mostly blues and jazz because it is an accoustic guitar. I have other accoustic guitars (Taylor, Takamime), and the tone and sound of this guitar holds its own with my other guitars, but I use this one for gigs the most because of its easy to play shape.

When I got it the bridge was set up a little too high for my likings, but that was a easy to fix problem. After I fixed that problem, the guitar feels like my EVH electric guitar.
I think the only flaw is that there isn't a pickup, maybe in 1974 they didn't think a pickup was needed, being that it was a handmade guitar.

As to reliability I have to give this guitar a two thumbs up. This baby has gone thru rain, oven temperture, drops, everything you can think of, and that is just going from where I live to a gig. It has never failed me. After so many years since it was made, the only signs on the guitar are just you average wears over time. There are no cracks or any damage that could affect the sound of the guitar. The clear paint job looks like a paint job that was done 20 some years ago. No complain here!!!

Don't know, never had to contact them.

I had this guitar for around 12 years. I been playing for 15 years. I have around 9 guitars that I bought the years.
The only thing I wish I had asked before I bought this guitar is "Where did you get it, and where can I find another one like this if I lose this one?"
Take my advise, if you can find one of these, "GET IT."

Built in 1978, hand made Brazilian Craviola style steel string guitar with a two Piece solid spruce top, Brazilian rosewood two piece back and sides with 6 piece binding on top and single binding on back. 14 clear frets and 20 total. Transparent gloss finish throughout. Great wood inlay around "D-shaped" sound hole. Black plastic pickguard. Medium thick neck with trussrod, rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets. Good schaller tuners. Plastic nut, bridge (adjustable height), and pins. Custom hardshell case! Unique shape makes it easy to play for long periods of time but you'll want to play on a good stool.

I play many styles (alternative, Rock, Blues and even a little jazz) and have played for 26 years. I mostly play electric but this is my acoustic. I typically will use a pick and alternate between picked and strumed techniques with strong dynamics. Strange as this guitar may look, it sounds great - especially at the lower registers. It has a very balanced sound rich in overtone, resonance and sustain (similar to a D28). I've used Martin Marquis, but have aset of elixors on right now (a little tinny). My friends with Martins rave about the sound (though not the volume). Above the ninth fret there is a distinct fall off of volume on the three highest strings. This is not a loud guitar. That may have to do with the shape and the fact that it had a neck crack repaired belore I bought it.

I bought it used, and had Mike Lull set it up for me 10 years ago. No need to do anything to it since then although I'll probably replace the nut, bridge and pins with bone. Getting it used, I noticed the high-quality repair in the neck and the two dings (not breaking finish) on the top and because of the sound bought it anyway. It really does sound great and records well. As with any truly had made guitar, you can notice the hand work. But all the inlays are great. The most anoying thing hear is the trussrod cover is crooked. Action, bookmatching, etc... are high quality.

This guitar has been gigged extensively, as do all of my guitars, and holds up well. Stays in tune really well after aclimating to the stage heat. It gets miked on stage. The guitar is now 24 years old, but it hasn't deteriorated in the 14 years I've owned it. It is a workhorse and my only complaint is that I don't change the strings often enough.

Never tried it, Can't tell you if they are in business.

I've played (mostly electric) for 26 years. I own a 1974 Telecaster Custom, (2) G&L ASAT's, Gibson 335, Les Paul Class 5, Rickenbacher 12 string, and a custom Ibanez. I play through an Ampeg & Fender amps. IF it were stolen, I'd get another although I've never seen another of it's quality. I love the sound! I wish it had a little more volume, a thinner neck (neck is similar to 55 les paul profile), and an electric pick-up. I love the shape, it is really nice to not have the shoulder in the way.

made in brazil, odd looking duck , hardware is less than perfect, although i've had no problem with it, I tend to baby it. It's really a "craviola" and not a guitar
D shaped sound whole nice inlay around it.

great sound, keeps up with my martin, warm and freindly tones, e-z access to all the fret board

plays like a dream I got her used, so I don't know if the factory did it, finsh is out standing, shape is not normal for guitars but just right for craviola's, semi lute, with a cut away, Mine doesnot have the slotted head stock which is nice!

I've palyed out with her once or twice butbeacause of its odd shape I get nervous that some one will steal her ,, only one starp button on its bottom, I guess they want you to used the neck??? I don't think I'll do that

none

I've been playing since the secound grade and I'm 38 now,Never had one like it before If it where ever stolen I'd have to find another or the return of mine.
I believe that the Angels in heaven took pitty on me one day and set my path on the way to find this gitar so I could live a long happy life and music for all to enjoy, and die with this "craviola" in my arms