1970 Giannini Craviola Classical Guitar

I worked on this Craviola a while back but decided to simply post this fresh. It's a Brazilian-made Giannini Craviola classical guitar -- the name referring to this body shape rather than a specific model. This is early-on in the production run and it even still has the cool "mustache" bridge shape that was later swapped-out for a standard, rectangular shape.

These are all-ply, fan-braced instruments that are extremely well-thought-out and despite the odd looks, they're completely comfortable and have a wide, full, clean voice. They're also sturdy, functional instruments you can travel around and gig with while having little complaints -- sort-of like an upscale Yamaha ply-body classical from the same decade. The cutaway affords easier fret access and the treble-side waist cut hugs the knee really well. The bass-side mandolin/oud-like shape provides a lot more uninterrupted soundboard and so the bass response is full and even. It's a smart design.

Yeah, and all of this serves to look cool, too! For me, it both looks futuristic and also very retro and almost "Celtic" with the D-shaped soundhole and "big cittern" vibe.

I'd previously leveled/dressed the frets, fit a new saddle, installed a K&K acoustic pickup (jack at the endpin), and set it up so all I had to do this time around was restring it and adjust the setup just a bit. It's playing perfectly and is ready to go. It's nice when you haven't seen a guitar in years and the only thing you have to do is restring it and start playing... anything that wasn't ply like this would not be as easy to just get up and go like that.

And... when I say ply, I don't mean super-cheapo ply like you'd see on current, sub-$100 Walmart guitars with a mealy middle layer... these are built with quality materials (ply spruce top, ply Brazilian rosewood back and sides) and a nice "middle" layer of the ply (seems to be something like birch) and, as such, simply sound better.

Repairs included: (previously) a fret level/dress, K&K pickup install, cleaning, and setup -- currently a restring and minor setup adjustments.

Top wood: ply spruce

Back & sides wood: ply Brazilian rosewood

Bracing type: fan

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" overall (quick, standard classical height)
String gauges: medium-tension nylon

Neck shape: medium D

Board radius: flat

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-lower

Scale length: 25 3/8"

Nut width: 1 7/8"

Body width: 15 3/8"

Body depth: 4 1/8"

Weight: 4 lbs 5 oz

Condition notes: there's plenty of usewear throughout but overall it's in good order. There are small nicks and dings to the binding and edges of the finish on the top and back, there are lots of finish cracks running with the grain on the top, and it shows handling/playwear. However, considering its age, it looks great -- and the rosewood on the back and sides is simply gorgeous.

It comes with: an original Giannini chip case.