Cavaquinho Rajão Madeirense APC 550 5 Cordas

Play Madeira-style cavaquinho with the five-string APC 550 rajão cavaquinho. Made in Portugal.

The cavaquinho is one of the most popular traditional Portuguese instruments, which can be found in several variants throughout the national territory. The APC 550 is a Madeiran cavaquinho or rajão, a five-string version that flourished on the island of Madeira.

The APC 550 meets all the requirements required for the construction of this specific model. The body is made with two woods: solid spruce for the top, with walnut bottom and sides. These materials provide great strength and solidity, as well as a natural and brilliant resonance.

The neck is made of mahogany, and the fingerboard of 18 frets is made of black African wood, so that you can make the chords with greater comfort and confidence. The head has five tuning machines, with an asymmetric three / two layout, which gives it a very interesting and modern look. The simple finish allows the wood texture to take center stage and give this model a traditional look.

The cavaquinho rajão is typical of Madeira island folklore. Its five strings have the tuning A-E-C-G-D, from the 1st to the 5th string, with the C being the lowest string, which gives it a distinctive sound personality from the cavaquinho on the continent. It is widely used to accompany traditional island songs and dances, such as Madeira modas.

The APC 550 Madeiran cavaquinho is manufactured by APC, a Portuguese company with decades of experience in the construction of traditional instruments. António Pinto Carvalho, the founder of APC, began to learn the art of guitar and cavaquinho construction, by the hand of his grandfather, only 10 years old.

In 1976 he created APC, specializing in the construction of cordophones. Nowadays it is the largest national company in the industry, with about 50 employees, who give authenticity and a personal touch to each instrument, manufactured with the most advanced construction technology, for greater precision and rigor. Modernity and tradition are the key to this company that proudly promotes the Portuguese cultural tradition.

Take a trip to other corners of the Portuguese musical tradition with the APC 550 rajão cavaquinho. Made in Portugal for all those who have a passion for our musical tradition.

Specifications: 

• Top: solid spruce

• Back and sides: walnut

• Neck: mahogany

• Fingerboard: African blackwood

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

Note - the colors of the images presented on the website may change due to the brightness or settings of your monitor. Changes can also result from the user's own perception.