African Blackwood B&S, Alpine spruce top Concert guitar. Octobre 15, 2009.

The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it

African Blackwood B&S, Alpine spruce top, Doble tapa (Contreras style) Variation 1. Walnut bindings, 16" radiused ebony fingerboard, violin tie, armrest & bridge. 640mm fret spacing. Lute type soundport in upper bout. Embossed leather case included. AMAZING ! MASTERPIECE !

Players who studied and learned Asturias will know how important it is to have a guitar that offers powerful yet malleable basses. Such is the case with this African Blackwood masterpiece. The deepest, almost human like quality of the bass responds wonderfully to the different attacks of the right hand thumb. The intensity changes instantaneously and the player is rewarded with a flawless interpretation... The radiused 640mm action adds ease of play to the interpretation and even the most swift position changes feel natural and easy. The Doble tapa adds a flavor to the sound that is hard to describe in words...The spruce top sends huge vibrations to the Cedar top that is anchored halfway between the main top and the back and it adds the punch typical of cedar to an already magnificent and clear Spruce type of sound. Wonderful marquetry made with African Walnut, African Padauk, Spruce and Gabon Ebony to enhance her magnificent curves and make art at every inch. The player knows that the only limit to his interpretation will be his imagination...

Making the Contreras Doble tapa

View of the second top

Bellucci guitars
Brown plush interior

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".

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.