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Mainly curious about bracing type and top thickness. Also, what kind of strings are typically used?
I'm yet to get a full idea of the sound of these violas, as the recordings I've found usually have portuguese guitars playing circles around them constantly (not that there's anything wrong with that). I assume they pack a good punch in the lows and low mids, as that seems to be what comes through in fado ensembles.
there are quite a few solo lessons on "viola de fado" on youtube , where we can get an idea of their solo sound -though in a few, the teachers may be using nylon top strings....
I've seen the term "violao de fado" and "viola de fado" used seemingly interchangeably, I'm unclear on the exact differences, if any - violao sometimes seems to imply larger acoustic guitars, or Brasilaian style 7 -string acoustic.
I've never seen anything about the actual bracing & construction differences, but I have read that they're braced differently to support the higher tension of the full set of steel strings. Some of these fado violas look a little longer-bodied than typical sizes of Spanish classical or flamenco guitar, but all use a fixed bridge in the top.
I don't doubt there are many more expensive luthier options, but the Viola-de-Fados I most commonly see for sale are from makers like APC and Artimusica. see some pics & prices for e.g. here: https://www.salaomusical.com/pt/1060-violas-de-fado
I have a guitarra Portugessa from APC , their cheapest Lisboa-style model, for learning on, and it's a nice little instrument: resonant, playable and well constructed.
I'd imagine that many of our gypsy guitars would serve well to get the sound close to the fado accompaniment sound, needing perhaps a change of strings & a fingernail-picking / palm-muting approach
(and much more basic chord voicings :-) )
I too would be interested if @Bill Da Costa Williams spoke to his luthier friend about the bracing and other differences from the Spanish guitars.
Update on viola de fado queries:
Talked with luthier Vitor Paulo this week and these were his comments:
Although steel string violas de fado are common, accompanists in fado groups may alternatively play a classical nylon string. These would be strung so as to provide higher tension than used by classical players;
The steel string violas have a stronger construction to allow for higher tension: traditionally with a steel rod in the neck, though many use a carbon fibre rod today;
The lower priced models may not be a good choice - pro models tend to be in the 3000 to 4000 € range
Top thickness is similar to that of classical guitars.
He was working on a 1980s viola de fado (pictured) as we spoke, its currently
strung with nylon strings, and on having had a look at the bracing he reports that its similar to that of classical guitars.
Incidentally the term violão is used in Brazil to refer to acoustic guitars
Thanks for that Bill. I used to travel to Portugal a lot in the '70s to '90s and caught many Fado artists and the line up always seemed to be singer, Portuguese guitar and what I always thought to be a standard nylon strung Spanish or classical guitar. The latter usually had a nice strong tone though, is that coming from what you mean by 'higher tension'?
As in just a set of high tension strings or do they use heavier than normal strings or tune differently?
Whatever, I certainly never remember any steel string guitars being used.
At the fleamarket for musical instruments today. Sold my little Framus, bought a ukulele for my nursery school groups, and saw several charming guitars:
My market stall: Stevens custom built electric slide bouzouki, 1963 Framus Capri or Stella, 1960 Framus Studio, Baton Rouge baritone uke, signal horn, 1963 Besson Stratford trumpet (fine instrument!), and a walking stick trumpet.
Framus.
Wolfgang Hüttl (Pique Dame?).
Neumann.
Couldn't get more precise information about the guitars.
The Hüttl in fact is a Pique Dame model, which was produced in the 50ies and 60ies.
Most pictures of Pique Dames that I found in the internet show them with this type of tailpiece:
But there is a catalogue picture that shows that the tailpiece of the fleamarket Hüttl should be original:
http://www.schlaggitarren.de/home.php?text=hersteller&kenn=68
Gosh - rich pickings.
I recall that the Pique Dame was one of the fanciest of the Huttl range.
Willie, do you recall how much they were asking for this one? I like the Black Rose finish.
No, Bill, I did not talk to the seller. These are examples from the internet:
Another vote for the Huttl here. I have never caught one yet, obviously rare in Australia, I will have to buy from Europe, but yes, a lot of the fancier German archtops look best in the Black Rose finish. As for the tailpiece, I wouldn't worry, as with other brands they often changed, I think both of these types were made by a separate supplier, they are often seen on Hofner, Hoyer etc and maybe they simply used whatever was in stock? I had one similar on a Hoyer I sold recently.
Another flea market, this time the guitars I took photos of are of no collector's interest -but colorful:
Looks like someone prepared several cheapos for selling them at markets.