Topic: Ernest Stoneman Galiano copy

[Cambio]

I just finished this copy of Ernest V. Stoneman's Auditorium sized Galiano.  I worked off of old photos of Stoneman and a couple originals made by Antonio Cerrito and Raphael Ciani.  Stoneman's guitar was probably made in the shop of Raphael Ciani.  Stoneman most likely bought it on a recording trip to New York in 1926 or 27'.  Raphael Ciani died in 1923, so when Stoneman bought it someone else was running the shop.  Some folks think that the someone was John D'Angelico, who was Ciani's nephew.  D'Angelico would have been 17 years old at the time of his uncle's death.  By today's standards it's hard to imagine a 17 year old running a shop of a dozen or so employees, but it is nevertheless possible.  Whatever the case, some of  the Ciani guitars did start to look a little wilder during this period, which may have been due to a youthful influence around the shop.
The guitar is about 15 1/2" in the lower bout and 4 1/2" deep.  It has a German spruce top, maple back and sides, Brazilian binding and ebony bridge and fingerboard.  It's the seventh model in the Fraulini line, named after the last of the sisters, Fenezia, which means "finished" in Italian.  It sounds like a big old hog.

[Prof Scratchy]

Mmmmnnnn...that looks very nice indeed!

[pete12string]

Looks like a whole-lotta-guitar!  I'll bet the Maple sounds great.  Will it be added to the Models page on your site soon?

[Johnm]

Wow, Todd, that guitar looks fantastic!  I know from the picture that you showed me of Stoneman playing his that it was quite fancy-looking.  With maple back and sides and being 4.5" deep in the lower bout, I can see how it would sound like a big old hog.  That would really be something if John D'Angelico was involved in the construction of the original.  Congratulations on adding to your line.
All best,
Johnm   

[Mr.OMuck]

I'd be happy to break it in for you free of charge!
A Beauty!

[Dave in Tejas]

Hi Todd.
Well, it's as big as a hog! Is it ladder braced? Is this your biggest?

[Cambio]

Frankie had been telling me to make a maple guitar for a while and when I finally did I was hooked.   I'm really liking the sound that it has and I'm looking forward to finishing up my first maple 12 string. 
This isn't the biggest model that I have, but it's up there.  The depth of it certainly contributes to the tone.  When I make a second one, I'm not sure I'll make it as deep.  It is ladder braced.
Sorry Mucky, this one is long gone, like a turkey through the corn.
Here's a picture of Ernest V. with the original.

[Slack]

What a beaut!  Damn!  Maple is great stuff - I'm a big maple fan as well.

[Stuart]

Didn't know much about Ernest Stoneman's life...

http://www.amazon.com/Stonemans-Appalachian-Family-Shaped-American/dp/0252063082/105-6568841-6393216?SubscriptionId=1NNRF7QZ418V218YP1R2

Maybe Todd will throw in a free copy when you buy one of his beauties. 

[Bald Melon Jefferson]

 Wish I had a German spruce and maple Fraulini out here in California!

    Lucky for someone, Ernest didn't have a pickguard. 

Cheers!
Gary 

[Pan]

Fenezia seems to be smiling. She must know something we don't, just like Mona Lisa? Anyway, a fine piece of artwork she is! 

[frailer24]

Does anyone know what happened to Ernest's original Galiano?

[Tom Mylet]

frailer24: According to Pops daughter Ronnie, it was accidentally left on the roof of the car and subsequently backed over....

[frailer24]

Yeowch! Been there before!

[onewent]

We've recently acquired what appears to be the exact same guitar as Stoneman's, except it's a Grand Concert size, 14 3/4" across.  Long scale, fat body.  Amazing guitar.  Tom