Giannini 12 string?

Subject: Giannini 12 string?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 27 Oct 04 - 11:24 AM

Hiya
I have got a 12 string Giannini guitar that I wish to sell. However I have trawled through the net and cannot find a reference to the guitar that I have got anywhere not even on the Giannini site.

It is not a craviola in shape, it is shaped the same as a normal guitar. It dosen't have any serial numbers on it either for me to check for a model. It is in reasonable condition a few bumps and bruises and slight cracking of the varnish in the neck area. The sound hole is inlaid with an attractive design, the sound hole has a black scratch guard with a flower motif and the fretboard is inlaid with mother of pearl. It definitely needs re-stringing.

If anyone has any info about this guitar I would be really greatful and also any idea on what price I should aim to get for it.

~Debs~

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 01:34 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 06:51 AM

No news yet then. Someone out there will come up with something I have every faith in the Mudcatters astounding reservoir of knowledge. :-)

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Mooh
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 07:20 AM

A bit more information is useful. Age, solid or laminate, woods? Try the online Blue Book listings, my outdated copy wasn't very useful. I had a Giannini 6 string years ago and it was a decent quality solid top Brazilian made dreadnought, which I would dearly love to have back for sentimental reasons.

Good luck, and I'll keep looking.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 04:26 AM

Dipsodeb, the only Giannini's I've seen have been the funny shape, but they were all good.

I suggest you take it to Denmark Street, say Andy's and see what they'd recommend putting it up for as a commission sale, look disappointed and take it away again. You might also see what one of the other places valued it for for insurance purposes (but you usually have to pay for insurance valuations - but you can always ask them what the insurance value would be, then ask them thier charge for a written insurance valuation, look disappointed and take it away. I think Hank's do comission sales as well. Hobgoblin in Rathbone Street are very helpful.

DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR MAIRANTZ. WHen I was trying to get an insurance valuation for Jacqui's Hagstrom when Jacqui was pregnant with Rachel, I took it there and they told me it was no better than some lump of Japanese plywood, about £100. It wasn't the old man, it was his son. THey tried to tell me the "tombstone" frets were worn out - I have had them dressed twice and they are still on there. 5 years later I saw a really beat up one in Andy's with the side cappings taken off the neck (!) up for £400.

Then take it to Brian Rodgers to be fully sorted (not TOO low in the action) and then try to sell privately at a little above the recommended commision sale prices. It is unlikely to realise value on ebay as it is too specialised. Be patient.

Alternatively, once you have the commission sale prices, lend it to a good player and have him take it round the clubs and tell people it's for sale.

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 04:31 AM

PS - you might try emailing Giannini and then send them a picture...

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 08:35 AM

Thanks Richard your a star. I have already contacted Giannini and they haven't emailed me back as yet, even though it's been over a week.
Hiya Mooh I think it's a solid top probably Rose wood unfortunately I brought it second hand from a boot sale so I have no idea on age. I spent ages on the web last night following posts that people have mentioned Giannini in but nothing that sounds like this one.... it's a mystery I don't know wether to be excited that it must be rare cause there is no mention of it or not. Watch this space.
~Debs~

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 10:14 AM

Rosewood top would be very, very unlikely. Solid rosewood top would likely have been a special order custom job, and dear indeed!

I assume it's a pegbridge, not a tailpiece and the bridge is non-adjustable.


Other clues are: which end is the trussrod (headstock end or in through the soundhole)

What are the bindings like?

Looking in through the soundhole how is the kerfing made?

What disposition and what shapes are the struts?

I assume it has a strap button at the bottom, but has it got one on the heel?

Is there anything distinctive about the bridge?

Is if full dreadnaught size (or monstrous goliath size) or is it smaller?

I assume it's conventional nut and not a zero fret.

Can you post some pictures?

If I got a Giannini in a bootsale, I would not be upset!

Subject: RE: Giannini 12 string?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 10:16 AM

PS - sometimes you get some numbers on the inside of the neckblock or tailblock.