Something to do with Toronto…
Espana guitars were made in Italy at the Crucianelli factory. Some were branded Crucianelli/Elite, some were branded Vox (Britain and US) while those marked Espana were mostly sold in Canada. Although virtually identical, a VOX branded version is worth considerably more.
![crucianelli_elite_sunb[1].jpg](https://losttoronto2.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/crucianelli_elite_sunb1.jpg?w=590)
![crucianelli_elite_fl[1].jpg](https://losttoronto2.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/crucianelli_elite_fl1.jpg?w=590)
![unnamed[3].jpg](https://losttoronto2.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/unnamed31.jpg?w=590)
Years ago I worked on a music video for Ian Thomas’ band, the Boomers.I needed a guitar that could be set on fire so I bought an Espana from a pawn shop on Church for $100.00. I coated the headstock with rubber cement and we set it on fire several times. The video was shot in a warehouse at the foot of Fraser street.
No guitars were harmed in this video.
An excellent site on Crucianelli guitars here.
Lost Toronto 
Sounds like a toxic shoot! I can only imagine the fuss put up my most people, were it attempted today. Still, there’s something so fiercely iconic in the idea of wantonly destroying a guitar. And I remember going through those pawnshops on Church back in the late 70s and early 80s… I got my first electric at Richmond’s trading post in 1981, a ’71 Guild S100. Still have it today and still play it regularly. I’ve heard of the Espana brand but never seen one in the flesh. Were they any good?
March 6, 2016 at 1:00 pm
The Espanas were very well made. I sold the one from the video years ago but bought a replacement last year.
March 6, 2016 at 6:07 pm