Tony Blews

Ukulele or Cavaquinho?

Possibly you may recall that back in June 2007 I got hold of what I assumed to be a Ukulele. I bragged about it here.

Recently, however, I've become convinced that it is, actually, an antique Jose Alvarez Cavaquinho. This suits me fine, as a cavaquino is tuned to DGBD (or DGBE), whilst a ukulele is tuned to GCEA. Being an approximate guitar player, anything that makes life easier for me is good.

But, which of them is it?

Lets have some pictures.... of my little instrument (oh behave).....

.....and in comparison take a look at these pictures.

Could they be the same thing? I don't really care about the antiqueness... I just want the thing done right.

Now I'm led to believe by the internet that I should steel string this little beauty, but i'm too chicken to try it. It doesn't seem to be braced enough to handle the stress, and I don't want to wreck it.

So, after much pissing about and nicking strings from my various other guitars, I've strung it with nylon.

And it sounds like this: (listen)

Note please that i'm shitfaced, I've lost my tuner somewhere, and I haven't quite sorted out the right strings... still, I like it!

(Oh, and it was Am and G).