Brazilain rosewood B&S, Double top Concert guitar. November 25, 2009.

A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it

94 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, Double top (Contreras style) LATTICE braced Alpine spruce top, African EBONY bindings. 640mm fret spacing, 16" radiused ebony fingerboard. Embossed leather case included. SPECTACULAR !!
This spruce top is the type of guitar that makes you go WOW from the very first note I pluck on her. An amazing sound that projects majestically due in part to the double top (made also in Brazilian rose) and to the lattice braced spruce combination that produces some of the finest instruments o the planet. The set of Brazilian rose is originally from Cascavel (Rattle Snake, Brazil) and I made it a double top using another set of Brazilian rose from Minas Gerais. Contreras used to make the double top in cedar, but in my region Brazilian rosewood is quite affordable. therefore, I indulged in using it for the double top (and sides). Everything on this beauty speaks of art and beauty and you can contemplate her for hours at a time. Asturias felt like it was going to explode and the lung on this babe is simply AMAZING. Swift, easy action to render the piece like the best players out there...

Lattice barcing x-ray X-ray view of a Bellucci lattice braced top
Making the Contreras Double top
Making the Contreras Doble tapa
Italian Alpine spruce

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The doble tapa, 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".
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.
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.

Hear this BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD Concert guitar

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94 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, Double top (Contreras style) LATTICE braced Alpine spruce top

94 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, Double top (Contreras style) LATTICE braced Alpine spruce top

96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, DOBLE TAPA, CONTRERAS STYLE (variation 1)

* ACTUAL PICTURES AND VIDEO

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