Lattice Braced DOUBLE TOP top Concert guitar. April 7, 2010.

Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself

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SPECTACULAR BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD B&S, Lattice Braced CEDAR Top, DOUBLE TOP CONTRERAS STYLE. Hawaiian Koa bindings, 16" radiused Ebony fingerboard. Thai Amboina burl, violin tie, armrest & decorated Rosewood bridge. Soundports in upper and lower bout 640mm fret spacing. Embossed leather case included. ROYAL GUITAR !!

Every so many years, some Brazilian Fazendas (Ranches) open their doors to rare wood seekers. Some of these fazendas are the size of some small European countries. Trees that were struck by lightning or fierce storms were logged and transported to the racks where they would air dry for many decades. My dear friend Joao who was invited to one of these fazendas in Mato Grosso in late 2008, was able to choose some amazing billets of Brazilian rose. The picture he took (see below) was used to mark the spot where a huge Jacaranda ( popular name for Brazilian rosewood in Latin America) had fallen. Last month, I received 12 amazing cuts and this is the first of them. The dark, dense chocolate brown grain is simply gorgeous and the tap tone offered was mind blowing. I mounted a cedar top and decided to make her a double top (using a second top of rosewood) and lattice braced her to bring out the most clarity of sound possible. The resulting instrument has an amazing lung and sustain. You can hear those everlasting Es in Asturias as I fly through the piece. The trebles are crisp and clear. Stupendous separation and the richest harmonic web you can imagine. What a pleasure to play these Queen ! I used Hawaiian Koa for the bindings, and extremely rare and expensive Thai Amboina Burl for the Violin tie, armrest headstock and bridge. She is amazingly beautiful and will deliver the most beautiful music for your life's pleasure.

Hear this BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD guitar

African Blackwood B&S, Doble tapa (Contreras style), Lattice Braced

The double top, was developed and introduced by Master Luthier Manuel Contreras the II at the end of the 70s and reached its peak in the 80s. The word "Tapa" in Spanish translates to top in English but it refers to the back of the instrument. Therefore, Contreras doble tapa is actually a "Double back".
Jacaranda sign

Jacaranda' sign in Mato Grosso
Curtesy J.Teixera.

Radiused or flat fingerboard?
The radiused fingerboard has been around the acoustic and the electric guitar since day one. The same is true for most instruments of the Stringed family of instruments (violas, violins cellos, bass). Radiusing (image above) makes barre and left hand stopping A LOT easier. The only drawback is that you will NEVER want to play a flat fingerboard after that. If you are having your custom guitar built, I am all pro radiusing the fingerboard. The standard fingerboard is flat.

The lattice is a concept based on the A frame of grand pianos. The back and sides are kept rigid by means of a sturdy A shaped frame and the top is thinned as much as possible to allow the top to vibrate generously. Lattice delivers a lot of volume a tremendous clarity.

640mm or 650 mm?
Guitar scale lenght

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The images and video depict the actual guitar being sold.

The hand embossed leather case is a work of art on its own right. Built by one of a handful of very talented leather embossers in Latin America. Its built following my specifications for the interior to fit Bellucci guitars like a glove. All Plush interior, key and accessories compartment. You can request an upgrade to a Cow hive front and back version.

SPECTACULAR BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD B&S, Lattice Braced CEDAR Top, DOUBLE TOP CONTRERAS

SPECTACULAR BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD B&S, Lattice Braced CEDAR Top, DOUBLE TOP CONTRERAS

* ACTUAL PICTURES AND VIDEO

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