Just got my nylon string Giannini from George Kaye. Giannini's haven't been sold in this country for years until recently. This is a Craviola...a really attractive, "unlike guitar" shape. The old ones were pretty rough and these are, too, although this is a relatively inexpensive model. Frets are rough on the edges, there are lots of imperfections in the wood, and the pre-amp is really marginal...very quiet and not really very user friendly. Still, it has that great Brazilian sound (Jobim, Feliciano).

Again, appreciate George Kaye's help. This is why I like to see the wooden instruments...might not have bought this one, because of the poor quality, or would have wanted to pick through a stack of any hand-made instrument. Not pretty at all, but it's a keeper. Trust George completely, but probably will not ever buy a stringed instrument again without playing it first.

No fear, George, I'm wanting,needing LOTS of other new toys!


Russ