(C5) Sampaio Evangelista, 2011

(Luiz) Sampaio Evangelista is a luthier who has been recommended to us for the last several years, but there have been few of his instruments on the market. When we found this one, we snatched it up with an assist by Pedro Cantalice of the Memória do Cavaquinho Brasileiro project. It was built in 2011, apparently when Sampaio was still in Belem and building under the name Luiz. He has since relocated to Rio where, in addition to building under his own name, he builds for the fabled Do Souto label. The instrument has seen a lot of use, but those signs of wear are also signs of love -- it is a terrific sounding cavaco, with a rich low-mid range, good punch and plenty of volume. Adam has brought it into tip-top playing condition. It's now someone else's turn to play, and love, this fine cavaquinho. Top: European Spruce Back & sides: Flamed Maple Neck: Cedro Rosa (Cedar) Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood Nut: Bone with zero fret Saddle: Bone Scale length: 345mm Nut width: 31mm Body depth: 85mm Widest body width: 231mm Finish: PU Tuners: import Pickup: yes Case: Gig bag Strings: Dinâmico São Paulo cavaco Condition: Good with signs of wear (Photos Coming!)