BRASILIAN RICKS (NOT)
Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:42 pm
Ths topic was covered in the company Forum overf a year ago, but never here on the RRF, and a recent foray into the wilds of mercadolivre.com (Brasilian Ebay) uncovered these gems for sale.
First we have the Gianninis, who hit it big in the late '60s with the odd-shaped but nice-sounding "Craviola" acoustic guitar. They grew quickly, and due to a 100% tariff on imported manufactured goods, low Brasilian labor costs and a plentiful supply of local woods, both hard and soft (many exotic), branched out into making knockoffs of popular brands of electric guitars and basses. First, of course, were the Fender Strats and Jazz basses, and it didn't take long (early-to-mid 1970s) before they were copying 4000s and 4001s. These are currently listed on mercadolivre, and are apparently quite sought-after for "high quality". They are mostly in the US$1000-1500 range, which of course would get you the real item here:
First we have the Gianninis, who hit it big in the late '60s with the odd-shaped but nice-sounding "Craviola" acoustic guitar. They grew quickly, and due to a 100% tariff on imported manufactured goods, low Brasilian labor costs and a plentiful supply of local woods, both hard and soft (many exotic), branched out into making knockoffs of popular brands of electric guitars and basses. First, of course, were the Fender Strats and Jazz basses, and it didn't take long (early-to-mid 1970s) before they were copying 4000s and 4001s. These are currently listed on mercadolivre, and are apparently quite sought-after for "high quality". They are mostly in the US$1000-1500 range, which of course would get you the real item here: