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Found this on E-bay - I thought it might be fun to play around with. I know it is an all laminate guitar and I'd probably have to replace the top. Worth $100 or not??


http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Giannini-Craviola-12-String-Rosewood-damaged_W0QQitemZ170450210361QQihZ007QQcategoryZ118979QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3911.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8127191861488595002#ht_5338wt_1167

I wouldn't bother. That top looks pretty deformed to me.

I'd say no.

I say yes. It's not in bad shape and these Gianni guitars are actually quite good. Jimmy page played one.

Well, it might be worth $100 as a project but with an opening bid of $195 + shipping (at least $40) it's starting to get into 'whoa' territory for me.
That said, I've made plenty of crazier purchases myself!
It took a few of those to convince me that it's a lot more fun (for me) to build something from scratch, even 'on the cheap' , than to struggle with some of those rebuild jobs.
It is cooler than those Kay/Harmony junkers you see all the time on eBay, IMO.

Cheers
John

I've seen a lot worse projects. Truly depends on whether you want one of these to mess with I guess. Too bad this one got so abused. That's a lot for a project potential wall hanger.
Kent

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I have looked into these on ebay as well, I like the odd shaped guitars and occasionally look for a bargain 12 string. I have watched a few auctions on these guitars, and the ones that are in good shape still don't sell for much. If you are hoping to fix it and turn it, you will not likely get much. To fix it and play it could be fun, but on my own limited lutherie budget, I would opt for some cheaper stuff to butcher, the shipping cost of $40 is what I want to pay total for a practice guitar.
Rob

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For $100 I would take a flyer and buy it, but I would not pay $200. Mainly, because I can't tell which type it is. I don't know what year (years) they changed their designs. As I understand it, the older versions were made of a hardwood with rosewood veneer. Well worth repairing. The newer guitars are laminated. The older guitars have a slotted headstock. Newer guitars have a solid headstock, but do not have the point on the top above the bass side tuners. This guitar has a solid headstock and the point. My uneducated guess is that this is a transition model. Since I can't tell if it is solid wood or the less desirable laminate, I would assume it is the laminate and bid accordingly.

FWIW... a guy who plays regularly at my church has one of the newer models and it sound good in his hands.

I would not spend over $100 for it. I emailed the guy and told him if it did not sell that I would give him $100 for it. There are only 7 hours left to go w/o any bids so who knows

I think that it's worth $100 too if for no other reason than it's interesting to talk about....

If i liked it, i would go for it at that price.You can always use it for a pattern to build your own with better woods.

That's exactly what I was thinking