The Gigliotti Custom Guitars Pro Team
Innovation
The development of the Gigliotti electric guitar is the result
of Patrick Gigliotti's (pronounced, Jill-au`-tee) unique experiences
combined with an entrepreneurial spirit. Pat's lifelong interest
in guitars began with his first guitar in 1967. Over the years,
Pat has worked with wood, metal, painting, finishing and guitars.
In the mid-70's Pat learned about stains and lacquers while working
in his dad's cabinet shop painting kitchen cabinets and pre-hung
doors. He also started painting cars for extra cash. During the
80's he spent some time pulling steel for naval ships at a local
boat building company and continued painting for extra money. He
painted cars at night and houses on weekends to support his family.
In 1989 he started his own business, painting houses full time.
Around 1995, Pat went to a vintage guitar shop to buy a guitar
for his son's birthday. He met Joe Riggio and bought a used guitar.
Pat decided it would look better with a new finish. He painted it
"Lake Plasic Blue" and it looked great!
He took it back to Joe to have it setup. Joe thought it looked
so good thathe asked Pat if he could do some of their guitars. The
money wasn't that good, but Pat had always loved guitars, so he
started painting guitars when he had the time. He enjoyed working
with the different guitars and over time began to learn more about
what made a great guitar.
Around 2000, Pat began thinking about creating his own guitar.
He wanted something unique, something no one else had. He also wanted
something classic, he wanted a vintage look. His experiences working
with wood, metal, finishing and guitars lead him to design the Patient
Pending system for top attachment - combining the classic look of
the 50's with the future!
With the help of Tommy & Andy at USA Custom Guitars, they created
the first Gigliotti electric guitar, crafted from fine tonewood
with a metal top. Not a purely decorative top, but one integrated
into the guitar face. This first guitar was fitted with a smooth
aluminum top. The combination of the wood body, integrated metal
top and special chambers produced a unique tone - something different
than any other guitar they had heard.
Pat got more than he expected. Not only did he love the amazing
sound of his guitar, but so did everyone else that heard or played
it. People started telling him they wanted one and, "Hey, you
can sell these!" Pat realized that he had created something
special. He began looking into patenting his design. Along the way,
he developed the distinctive swirl pattern and later the brushed-look,
that makes a Gigliotti guitar as incredible to look at as the sound
it produces.
To hear a sample jazz, country, blues or rock track,click
here!
Woodworking
Today the woodwork is still handled by USA Custom Guitars. They
hand select the fine Honduran Mahogany & Swamp Ash tonewoods
that become the guitar bodies and the Honduran Mahogany, Maple &
Rosewood that is crafted into the guitar necks. They carve the innovative
semi-hollow tone chamber and the ledge into the body that allows
the flush mounted installation of the select metal tops. The bodies
are CNC top machined and everything is sanded by hand in craftsmanship
style. For more information about the quality craftsmanship of USA
Custom Guitars and see custom options like neck profiles, visit
their site ...
Painting & Finishing
That first Gigliotti guitar was painted by Pat. Now, the finishing
duties are handled by the pros at Roxy Guitar Finish. Between them,
they have many years of experience in spraying custom guitar finishes
and have finished around 7200 bodies and 8600 necks in their careers
for different companies. They use a polyester base coat and polyurethane
for the color and topcoats. The finish coats are kept as thin as
possible so as not to affect the tone of the instrument. Using a
"hotbox" raises the temperature, accelerating the drying
process, and avoiding finish shrinkage. They do amazing work and
offer you more than 60 finishing options in clears, satins, solids,
tints, dyes and sunbursts. For a sample list of colors available,
click here!
To learn more about Roxy Guitar Finish and see a complete list of
finish options, including digital images of sample colors, visit
their site ...
Assembly
Assembly and setup are by Service Guitar Repair. They hand carve
each bone nut and use only the best electronics. They've been in
the biz for 10 years and they're part of the reason each guitar
that we make comes to you playing and sounding like a million bucks.
Answers
We will answer all your questions about features and options, assisting
you from first contact, to placing and filling your order, to shipping
and beyond. Our job is to help you! Write to us at: Gigliotti
Custom Guitars.
All for one price
Although many people and several specialized businesses play a
part in the construction of your Gigliotti guitar, you pay just
one price; the one we quote you. Even if you select additional options
or custom work for your Gigliotti guitar, you pay us the quoted
price and we take care of everyone else.
To learn more about Patrick Gigliotti and his breakthrough guitars,
read the ToneQuest Report interview and review of the Gigliotti
GT Special,click
here!
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