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Savannah Classical Guitar

Portuguese Guitar?

[ 2007 update - This page was created several years ago and I have enjoyed a number of emails about the content.   The instrument was featured with a cover image on an issue of guitar magazine several years ago (after it was found on this page.)  Note that these images were created using digital capture from video back in the 1990's - eons of digital time ago so the image quality is poor by today's standards... ]

A friend has  the following:  a 6 course, Portuguese Guitar, silver tuning mechanism and string attachment on the bottom of the guitar, ivory bridge & nut, estimated to have been built between 1880-1895, rosewood sides & back.  The picture above shows it to be roughly the size of two sofa pillows - it reminded me very much of a mandolin.  The one book that I have that describes instruments from this period indicates that a high degree of ornamentation was common, but the instruments pictured in the reference had a figure '8' shape...  The instrument belonged to the grandfather of a friend.  Supposedly, the instrument was purchased while the grandfather was in medical school, where it was 'in' for such students to play an instrument like this.  Also, the children of the grandfather do not recall hearing their father play the instrument (which was found in an attic several years ago.)   The grandfather died during the early 1920's (while in his 40's.)

The label in the Portuguese Guitar reads:

It was quite common for instruments made in Portugal to be highly ornamented - This guitar has a dragon's head!  If you have an estimate on the value of such an instrument then please contact the WebMaster.

 

If you know of web-based/Internet resources on this instrument I would appreciate hearing about them.  Thanks!

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10/2005 UPDATE - I have received several responses and comments about this page.  Many Thanks! to those who offered information.  The links below may help others in their quest for info about this instrument.  Several of the links below were 'broken' so I am leaving references in place; I suggest searching using the terms in bold.  Many sites offer bi-lingual information on this topic.

The Fado Guitar - Faq, pictures, lots of information. (8/2003 This link is no longer working - http://home.ici.net/~rufus/Fado/FadoGuitar.html - I am leaving the information in case it is useful during a search....)  

Two new links for Carlos Paredes (2006): English content found here with audio samples here:

Academia da Guitarra Portuguesa e do Fado - Information about the Portuguese Guitar and Fado

FADO DE COIMBRA - "Who was Afonso de Sousa? Who modified the structure of Coimbra's guitar? What fado groups exist nowadays? Which music was 1917's Balada de Despedida? All these questions lead us towards a single subject: the Fado / Song of Coimbra. Questions that this site intends to answer, gathering the knowledge of all that have lived in Coimbra and have given a little bit of themselves towards the history of this musical genre. Therefore, this site is the fulfilment of a personal project that was born with the purpose of gathering all available information on this subject, enabling (if possible) a better understanding and insight on all that is associated with Coimbra's Song in all its genres."

Welcome to the University of Minho's Tuna of Science - Azeituna... - " the irreverence on-line. In here we want to transmit to everyone the troubled history of this Magnificent Tuna, as well as other informations about our existence. We will also tell you about other Tunas. You will have acess to the Spanish Song-Book and to the Azeituna's one, as to other informations relationed with Tunas." (the site contains many images of Portuguese guitars as well as other information.) (8/2003  -This link is no longer working - http://www.azeituna.pt/index_p.html - I am leaving the information in case it is useful during a search....)

Legato - Associação de Arte e Guitarra de Portugal is a non profit organisation devoted to the promotion of plucked instruments. Activities include concerts, teaching, music editions, and more

Fernandez Music (CA, USA)  - Portuguese Guitars (guitarras portuguesas) includes: instruments for sale,  a free internet lesson, info on a method, a song book; site also includes CG related offers and information including a well done article on 'custom set-up' of guitars.