Braguesa Guitar

Name: Braguesa Guitar
Brand: Ra-Ro
SKU: 07PT05IVA0004
Price: 1920.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

1.920,00 €

Made to order · Ships in about 8 weeks

Small‑batch craft production. The time counts from your order.

Ra-Ro IndexVery RareWhat is the Ra-Ro Index?

The Viola Braguesa, from the luxury range, is a work of art in constant reinvention: from the moment it is built to the moment it is played, string after string, note after note, year after year.

Read the story of the piece

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Shipping to Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil
Free returns within 30 days
Secure, encrypted payment

Handmade byInstrumentos Valente

Dimensions

Length > 90 cm
Width > 30 cm
Height > 10 cm

Care

Handling
Due to the unique, handcrafted nature of this piece, please handle it with care to avoid accidental knocks or drops.

Storage
If used for decorative purposes, use a dry cotton cloth or soft brush to remove dust.

Store in a safe place where it is protected from possible impacts.

Shipping and returns

Shipping time: About 8 weeks

We ship to Portugal, the rest of Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil. You have 30 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.

A string instrument from Minho

Braguesa Guitar

A viola braguesa made by hand, piece by piece, in about a month and a half.

Story of the piece

Braguesa Guitar

To the tune of Portuguese popular music.

The first time Diogo Valente built a string instrument alone, he was sitting on his porch with a handful of generic tools and half-baked ideas. The result produced a rather mediocre sound, but his calling echoed louder: he wanted to get better and do this for the rest of his life.

From a purpose, he carved talent. From talent, he carved dedication.

At 29, through self-taught learning and the shared experience and knowledge of José Gonçalves - whom he considers his master with over 30 years of experience - he mastered his craft and became a young national prodigy. Today, we can think of him as the rock star of string instrument making, which is the exact opposite of a rock star. He lives in quietude. Solitude is his greatest success. He is only known within the niche of musicians (professional or leisure). It takes him a month and a half to finish an instrument. We are serious - do not order if you are in a hurry.

The Braguesa Guitar, from the luxury range, is a work of art in permanent reinvention: from the moment it is built to the moment it is played, string after string, note after note, year after year.

It is made to last. It is something that all owners of a Valente instrument know: it will very likely outlive them. That is part of its beauty.

In numbers

The piece in facts.

Per instrument6weeks

About a month and a half of work for each viola.

Of experience30years

Of master José Gonçalves, with whom Diogo learned.

Recognition2023

Diogo is named honorary member by the Cavaquinho Museum.

String after string. Year after year.

See the piece

See every detail.

Overview

The viola braguesa

From the luxury range, a work in constant reinvention.

1
The soundholeWith a decorated rosette around it.
2
The moustachesThe typical ornament by the bridge.
3
The headWhere the strings are tuned.

Front view

The soundboard

The face of the instrument, where the sound takes shape.

1
RosetteFrames the soundhole.
2
The moustachesTraditional ornament of the viola braguesa.
3
BindingThe finish around the soundboard.

The technique

ABOUT WOOD

Diogo Valente uses woods such as Engelmann spruce and Cameroon ebony, among others. All are hand-carved, ensuring that each instrument not only has exceptional sound quality, but also unique aesthetic beauty.

Meet the maker