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96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top.  Ebony bindings, 16" radiused ebony fingerboard, violin tie, armrest & bridge. 640mm fret spacing. Embossed leather case included. MARVELOUS !
Asturias is always the best testament when you need to put an instrument through the "acid test". Demanding passages, fast response and HUGE punch are badly needed when I play the Spanish classic. This cedar top is not only up to the task but it soon becomes my best ally during the performance. Amazing !  The strings are back under my fingernail with a n amazing speed and I am able to push the speed up by 20 on the metronome. The swift 640mm radiused action helps a lot and working in conjunction with the fast responsive sound, makes this instrument the "perfect type of guitar". She's simply beautiful ! Full of amazingly gorgeous artistic details that will entertain your eyes for many hours. An instrument for life !!
Lattice barcing x-ray
X-ray view of a Bellucci lattice braced top
Making the Contreras Double top
        Making the Contreras Doble tapa

Bellucci guitars
 Brown plush interior

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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.

96 year old Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced Alpine DOUBLE Cedar top
Hear this BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD Concert guitar

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96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top

96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top

96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top

96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top

96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top

96 years air dried Brazilian rosewood B&S, LATTICE braced adoble tapa (Contreras style) Cedar top

 
 

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

* ACTUAL PICTURES AND VIDEO
 
 

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