Brazilian rosewood B&S, Doble tapa "Contreras" March 26, 2009

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its students

92 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, Doble tapa (Contreras style) Western redcedar top, Gabon Ebony bindings, radiused fingerboard, armrest, and bridge. Soundport, 640mm fret spacing. Embossed leather case included. Marvelous !!!
This his is the first time I offer a Doble tapa (Contreras style) as a "ready to ship" instrument. The system, which was first introduced by Master Luthier Manuel Contreras the II at the end of the 70s and which 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". I improved on the system by using a second back of Brazilian rosewood instead off Cedar and using lighter built pine transverse struts. The second consecutive back is 0.8 mm thick and the main back is 1.8 mm thick. Due to my geographical location, Brazilian rosewood is much cheaper to get than it would have been for Contreras. That is why I can afford to offer a doble tapa made entirely with Brazilian rosewood. This delivers a great response and much sturdiness to the back and sides which in turn enhances the full vibration to the top. The result is a full sound rich with innumerable harmonics and an AMAZING presence. I recommend you add the violin tie. The guitar is engineered to work as it is but I know that the add on will enhance the sound even more. This will only need 4-5 days more for the guitar to reach you. Playing Romance I tried to stress the magnificent separation of voices and the amazing punch of the cedar top enhanced by the doble tapa. Keep in mind that I do not use the rest stroke anywhere during the performance and it is striking how the first string sings fully without the need of this archaic right hand attack style.. The whole instrument vibrates generously sending huge vibrations through my body. Amazing. A truly amazing sound machine.

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 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.

640mm or 650 mm?
Regarding 650mm or 640 mm fingerboard fret spacing, keep the following rule at hand: If the distance between the tip of your thumb and the tip of your little finger is equal or less than 9 in. when fully stretched, use 640 mm. Adapting from one scale to the other takes no adaptation
.

92 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, Doble tapa (Contreras style) Western redcedar top

HEAR this DOBLE TAPA Cedar top Masterpiece

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92 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, Doble tapa (Contreras style) Western redcedar top

Leather case

* ACTUAL PICTURES AND VIDEO

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