APC Viola Campaniça VTR CAM Round soundhole Simple

The "viola campaniça" generally measures about 94 cm. It is the largest of the regional Portuguese violas.

Currently the "campaniça" has 10 strings (5 orders of double strings). It is assumed that the original instrument would have 12 strings, but this feature no longer appears in the current violas. The current instrument is a ten string chordophone that is believed to have evolved from the "viola de mano medieval".

It has the following tuning (from the sharpest to the most serious chord): ré ré - si si - sol sol - do sol dó sol.

It is a typical viola of the region of Baixo Alentejo, in Portugal.

Although its origin is uncertain, it is known that it was played in the old days for dances, folias, "rodas", the despique, to accompany the song.

Manufactured in Portugal by APC, a company founded in 1976 by António Pinto Coelho, who comes from a centenary school of luthiers from Oporto. The company has about 45 craftsmen who build different types of Portuguese traditional chordophones and other origins. APC is the largest national company in this field, producing and selling instruments for more than twenty countries.

Specifications: 

• Model: VTR CAM

• Soundhole: round

• Top: solid spruce

• Back and sides: solid rosewood

• Neck: mahogany

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