Mandolin Guitarrinha BD40GC Spruce Top Simple with Standard Tuning Machines

This instrument has the sound of the mandolin in a form similar to that of the  Portuguese guitar, which gives the name to this ve ry original instrument, manufactured by one of the most renowned brands of traditional instruments in Portugal: Artimúsica.

The woods to manufacture this mandolin were selected and treated for greater longevity and superior sound quality. The top is in solid fir, which gives it a clear tone in sound and appearance, the bottom and sides are in walnut, cherry or solid maple, for greater depth and solidity, both sonic and structural.

The neck is in mahogany and the scale is in panga panga, a dark and very resistant wood, surmounted by eight chimes of traditional shape.

The mandolin appears in its modern form in the romantic period, around 1830, with the introduction of strings and metal pegs, which allowed for a more perfect tuning. The Portuguese version resulted from the evolution of the original instrument of Italian origin, which in turn descended from the lute.

It was an instrument both popular and luxurious, traditionally played by ladies of high society, but that was transversal to all Portuguese society, falling into disuse throughout the 20th century, but being recovered by musicians who wanted to revive the Portuguese musical tradition and, particularly, as an integral part of academic tunas.

Artimúsica manufactured a mandolin that respects the original sound of this instrument, but with a Portuguese guitar body, which gives it another charm. Despite being very similar to the Brazilian mandolin due to this format, the neck has the length of the Portuguese mandolin, which is shorter than in the Brazilian version.

Founded in September 1992, Artimúsica is one of the benchmarks in the artisanal construction of traditional Portuguese instruments. It is a family business, which follows the construction method started by master Joaquim José Machado, more than 100 years ago. His grandchildren, masters Manuel Carvalho and José Carvalho, manufacture each instrument as if it were a true work of art, making each piece unique and of high quality.

The Artimúsica BD40GC guitar mandolin is a perfect instrument for musicians who like to take the Portuguese musical tradition with them everywhere, whether in their traditional music group or by the hand of students serenading with their tuna.

Specifications:

• Top: spruce

• Bottom and sides: walnut, cherry or maple, simple

• Neck: mahogany

• Fingerboard: panga panga

• Bindings: 1

• Finish: gloss

Portuguese traditional instruments can present differences to the picture shown in the website due to it's artisanal manufacturing, specially in it's decoration.