Salvador Cortez CS-60-CB

The Salvador Cortez CS-60-CB is a six-string classical contrabass guitar, designed primarily for classical guitar ensembles and orchestras. Rather than using a conventional bass-guitar layout, it uses the tuning and general playing approach of a standard classical guitar while extending the scale length to 750mm. It is tuned E-A-D-G-B-E, one octave below standard guitar tuning.

Salvador Cortez was founded in 1979 and specialises mainly in classical and flamenco guitars. The brand has produced a broad range of traditional nylon-string instruments, including less common ensemble instruments such as alto, baritone, extended-range and contrabass classical guitars. The CS-60-CB belongs to this more specialised side of the range.

Construction is based around a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides. The 750mm scale is considerably longer than a standard 650mm classical guitar scale, while the body is also enlarged to support the much lower tuning. Despite the larger dimensions, the nut remains a fairly conventional 52mm wide, so the basic left-hand feel is still recognisably classical.

This example has standard minor playwear and a few small dings. Weight is 2000g. It includes a brown hard case with some wear, but fully working. It also looks great.

The CS-60-CB is an unusual instrument, but a practical one for players looking for a true classical bass voice rather than a standard acoustic bass guitar. Its familiar six-string tuning makes it straightforward for a classical guitarist to approach, while the octave-down register gives it a very different role in an ensemble.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Salvador Cortez CS-60-CB
• Series: Solid Top Concert Series
• Instrument type: Six-string classical contrabass guitar
• Top: Solid spruce
• Back: Rosewood
• Sides: Rosewood
• Body construction: Classical acoustic
• Scale length: 750mm
• Tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E, one octave below standard guitar tuning
• Number of strings: 6
• Nut width: 52mm
• Fingerboard width at 12th fret: 64mm
• Upper bout width: 303mm
• Waist width: 258mm
• Lower bout width: 412mm
• Body length: 536mm
• Body depth: 115mm
• Nut: Bone
• Saddle: Bone
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Neck joint: Dovetail
• Truss rod: Yes
• Finish: Gloss
• Headstock: Classical slotted design
• Tuners: Classical open-gear tuners