1981 Gurian CRH

Here we have here a Gurian model CRH (cutaway, rosewood, herringbone).  It’s essentially a size 3 (roughly OM size) with a cutaway and electronics.  Like all Gurians, the tone is simply wonderful.  And despite a few scars picked up along its 45 year history, the materials and build quality are so good it’s ready to outlast another owner ! These guitars are coveted by professionals, because they have the elusive tonal balance, sustain and overtones that work so well in the recording booth.  That’s why Gurians caught on with the likes of Paul Simon, John Sebastian, Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Stephen Stills, ABBA, and others who could play any guitar they wanted.  (Google “Paul Simon, Surfer Girl” if you want to see what I mean.)  This is a hand-built instrument, made by a small group of luthiers under the direction of a man who remains a giant in the world of boutique guitars, Michael Gurian.  Only about 5,000 Gurian guitars were ever built, all before 1982. The cutaway wasn’t even introduced as a model until about 1977, and as one of the more expensive models, none too many were built … I’d estimate that, on the high side, there were no more than 200 Gurian cutaways built.  Those made of rosewood with a factory-installed FRAP pickup were probably less than 100, and less than 50 may be more like it.  Needless to say, they don’t come along that often. A word about the FRAP electronics.  The version put into this guitar was actually a good system, even though it was a pretty early acoustic pickup.  There are professional musicians that still search out FRAP technology to use today.  But no, I won’t sell it separately !

This one was built in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, probably in 1981. It’s got a Sitka spruce top; ebony fretboard and bridge pins with MOP dots; Honduran mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood bridge and bridge plate; Indian rosewood back, sides, headstock veneer, heel cap, binding and tail wedge; bone (quite likely ivory) nut and saddle; half herringbone (rope) purfling on the front and back; and full herringbone for the rosette and backstrip.  The nut width is a tiny bit less than the standard Gurian 1-5/8″, and with a relatively shallow contour, the feel of this neck will instantly remind you of an electric guitar.  It has gold Schaller tuners, and an original, working FRAP pickup system with a brass volume knob mounted on the bridge.  What’s perhaps more amazing, I see no indication that this guitar has ever had a neck set, and it still doesn’t need one.  The neck angle is near perfect, and it still has a bit of extra saddle in case you ever want to lower the action a bit.  The frets appear to have been recently dressed, and have no visible wear.  It comes with a period but non-original case.