APC Viola Braguesa 250 Simple Round Sound Hole

The APC 250 Viola Braguesa is the materialization of the festive spirit of the people of the North of Portugal . Simple model, of national manufacture.

The tradition continues to be what it was with this guitar from Braga manufactured by APC, one of the most prestigious Portuguese brands of traditional acoustic instruments.

The APC 250 is a simple braguesa model with solid spruce top and laminated walnut sides for a solid construction, bright and present sound. The neckis in mahogany and the fretboard is in black African wood.

Simple and appealing, this model has the round mouth, the oldest format known in this instrument, as an alternative to the traditional sting mouth. It is an accessible instrument, of excellent quality, very useful for the explorers of the sonorities of the traditional chordophones of Portugal.

The brave viola has witnessed a renaissance in recent years, being used by bands in more contemporary styles, incorporating its rich musical legacy in modernity.

Originally from Braga, Portugal, the viola braguea has animated the popular festivities so characteristic of Minho, giving the rhythm and harmony to the chulas and vines and even to sing to the challenge. Although it shares similarities with other typical chordophones of this region, like the amaranthian viola, the breeding viola has a belted body, smaller than a traditional viola.

Of shorter scale, it is played predominantly in strumming. The braguesa viola has 10 strings, arranged in five pairs, with the two pairs more acute tuned in unison and the three pairs more serious tuned in octaves.

The most popular tunings in the Brazilian guitar are Mouraria Velha (from the treble to the bass) G3-E3-B3-A2-E2, and the tuning of Moda Velha (from treble to bass): A3-F#3-B3-G2 -D2.

The latter is indicated as being the oldest tuning of the instrument, and the one that best adapted to the strident songs of the minhotas that accompanied the viola braguesa in the traditional celebrations.

Founded in 1976 by the hand of António Pinto Carvalho, who began to learn the art of building guitars and cavaquinhos by the hand of his only 10-year-old grandfather, APC is the largest national company in the industry, with approximately 50 employees. give authenticity and a personal touch to each instrument.

Manufactured with the experience and deep knowledge of tradition and using the most advanced construction technologies, APC instruments proudly promote Portuguese musical culture.

Specifications: 

• Model: 250 simple

• Soundhole: round

• Top: solid spruce

• Back and sides: laminated walnut

• Neck: mahogany

• Fretboard: African blackwood

• Finish: matt