1 17

Choro Shop

(B2) Do Souto bandolim, 1985

(B2) Do Souto bandolim, 1985

$2,100.00 USD
$2,100.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Do Souto brand guitars, cavacos & bandolins from Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s through the 1980s are the most sought-after instruments for playing choro and samba. Nearly every important player in the history of choro has played a Do Souto, known for their dry and bright sound-- this is literally the sound of vintage choro recordings.
This 1985 Do Souto bandolim in spruce and imbuia arrived at Adam's shop in excellent condition given, in all fairness, that it is approaching its 40th birthday! This is in part owing to the fact that it was well-cared for, but also that it had been previously restored. It is worth noting that in that process the fingerboard was replaced and widened ever so slightly. Someone will appreciate the additional comfort that offers. Adam replaced the tuners with Rubners (Germany), buffed and set it up with his own Dinâmico São Paulo strings. Buy this bandolim if you are seaching for the traditional choro timbre in an instrument from the most important shop in its golden age.  

Top: Spruce
Back & sides: Imbuia
Neck: Cedro Rosa (Cedar)
Fingerboard: Ebony
Nut: bone+zero fret
Bridge: bone
Scale length: 350mm
Nut width: 32mm
Body depth: 63mm
Widest body width: 298mm
Finish: shellac (top) and polyurethane (back and sides)
Tuners: Rubner (new)
Pickup: no
Case: newer hard case
Strings: Dinâmico São Paulo 
Recent Work: setup and tuner upgrade.
Notes: Previous work: new frets and wider fingerboard; crack repair in top (see photos); fill 1/4 jack hole in side
View full details

  • How else can we help?

    Need strings, songbooks, digital lessons? How about some people to actually play choro with? Be sure to check out the rest of the Choro Shop for other useful resources, then join us at Choro Camp New England. We look forward to making this beautiful music with you!

  • About Shipping and Returns

    We ship UPS or USPS, promptly. Our stress-less return policy: You can return any Choro Shop instrument for up to 3 days from its delivery date for a full refund of all but the cost of shipping. So go ahead -- try it!