Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all --

I'm kinda new here, but let me say that I've found much useful info here, you are all great resources, and this is a great site. I'm wondering if any of you have heard of a cavaquinho -- it's a brazilian instrument that's about the size of a ukelele, but it has steel strings and a very bright sound. I really like the sound of them and I'd love to build one (I've built a few guitars now)... but I'm having a hard time finding info on them... plans... people that have built them... etc. Does anyone out there have any info? It'd be really appreciated! Thanks.

Ben

Also Try acoustic Guitar forum, www.mimf.com, www.guitarmaker.org and www.luth.org

Never heard of one, but if you say so.... I believe you.

Brazilwood lives in Brazil, maybe he could get you some plans, or heck, just walk to the corner market and get you one.? Ask if he knows, he's around or you can contact him.Dickey38584.6383449074

The other guy who may know something about this is Robbie Obrien, I belive he worked in Brazil as an instrument maker, so may well have come across one of these.

Ben,

Try e-mailing Bill Cumpiano - he makes a lot of the South American stringed instruments:

Cumpiano

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Hi Ben,

I searched the in the Builders Database at the Mandolin Cafe for cavaquinho and came with a list of several builders, ranging from factories to individuals. One thing though, you'd better be prepared to deal with Portuguese language! J.P. Charles looks like a potential source of info for you.

It seems to me that you may be able to draft your own plans based upon pictures, if you can find someone to enlighten you about the bracing. If you're not worried about ending up with a traditional instrument, you could just make a uke with the proper bracing to handle steel strings.

Good luck ... and show us some pictures when you're finished!

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D..

Ben,
I agree with Dave about Bill Cumpiano.
He likely knows about the instrument you speak of.
Maybe he has built one.
I resently made an instrument I call a Mandolele.
An 8 steal string 20.4" scale instrument.
It is real fun to play.

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

Ben,

I got your PM and have replied. I do have plans and can send them to you. Send me your address.

Everyone -- thanks for your help!

Ben

Plans are in the mail as of today Ben. Be sure and post pics of the build.