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I have a 'Craviola' by Gianinni and it's been a go to instrument for me for a long time along with my Larrivee rosewood OM.
Like all factory guitars, if you get a good one, they're really good. But most are very average.

Brent

I have a 'Craviola' by Gianinni and it's been a go to instrument for me for a long time along with my Larrivee rosewood OM.
Like all factory guitars, if you get a good one, they're really good. But most are very average.

Brent

Hi Waddy,
No problem. I knew you were too much of a southern gentleman for such "mud slinging"

Off topic, are you going to GFA 2013?

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Matt Jacobs

"Don't tase me bro"

Already signed up!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I don't have one handy at the moment but I did not thin the top. I left it a full 3+ mm and just used a simple X.


At the time I felt bending the sides was hard and something I probably wouldn't get right. So in instead of bending sides, I cut three rings in the shape of the body and stacked them. Also I did not use a transverse brace. Because of these I am noticing the action getting higher and higher and there is a dip in the top under the neck, as the neck moves.

The headless bridge system works pretty well but if the strings are not wound carefully they start to slip, and eventually you pull the wing nut down all the way and there is not more room to tighten the string.

The slots in the headstock should instead be ferrules or something. They haven't slipped yet but it needs a better design for the low strings where there is not much difference between the string thickness and the ball on the end.

The lack of a cutaway on the top side makes it a little uncomfortable. I should consider a Manzer wedge or a "stomach rest".

The bridge is not glued to the top, which makes intonation easy, but probably costs some sustain. And gives it a sort of 'banjo' sound.

Originally I had an internally mounted mic, but the under bridge piezo sounds much better.

The top should be thinner and the body deeper. One design goal was that disassembled it fit into a 22" suitcase, so that kept the scale length down to 25" and 23.5".

I plan to build another one using my improved knowledge. Where else can you buy an acoustic 8 string ? (for $350)


Maple neck (a mistake due to weight)
Spruce top
Poplar carved sides
Rosewood headstock plate
Ebony neck
Maple bridge
Home depot paneling for the [removable] back (I know you guys are shaking your heads)

In this video you can see more construction detail:

Rush Rocks! Been a fan since 1975 (when everyone hated them).Your video just made my day. Rock on!

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I applaud your efforts and creativity and even though you took some strange turns away from traditional guitar building it still sounds like a guitar - amazing to me. Thanks very much for sharing your experiences. I'll post my finished guitar ASAP and we can have look see how it comes out.

Thanks again for taking the time.

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Thank You and Best To All