D'Alegria
Encyclopedia
D'Alegria is a Brazilian company specialized in manufacturing custom-made electric bass
es and guitar
s, all handmade with the best wood
s in Brazil.
Totally handmade in Brazil with non-endangered certified Brazilian woods of high quality and beauty, the D'Alegria instruments are different from many others by their high level of customization. The 15 plus years of study and practice of woodwork contributed for the development of techniques that allow them to obtain the maximum in terms of visual and technical characteristics from several types of woods. The special care when choosing the woods to be used combines the aim for an odd sound and the need to help the protection of our environment. It's important to mention the use of new wood species not traditionally chosen in the manufacture of musical instruments, such as the Andiroba (recommended as a substitute for Mahogany
), the Ipê
(one of the most stable and stiff wodd species), the Freijó (typically used for fine furnishure), the Muiracatira, the Purpleheart
, the Cumaru
, the Garapa
, the Marupá, the Tauari amongst others, contributing at the same for the obtention of specific tones and the dissemination of a culture that will relieve the pressure on endangered species.
All that helps to include the Brazilian woods among the preferred ones as standards in the manufacture of such instruments, putting Brazil in an important position in the international market for the volume of its reserves. This process has already happened with the Brazilian Rosewood
and the Mahogany
in the past, for example, although the uncontrolled extraction and illegal exportation have put them under extinction risk. The controlled use of Brazilian materials of low cost will help the industrialization process in this segment making the country play an important role as Korea has been doing for years, and now China.
Among the direct musical characteristics we should mention the search for a perfect project and manufacture of D'Alegria bass and guitars, aiming the creation of eclectic instruments that will work in all musical styles. The exclusive D'Alegria active preamps allow adjustments as specific as the choice of woods used for each instrument, and all that together should be in fine tuning to provide the ideal sound for each musician.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
es and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, all handmade with the best wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
s in Brazil.
History
After 10 years of work in the telecommunications area, two engineers who graduated from the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992, Daniel Alegria e Rodrigo Werneck, decided to join forces and begin a new and unexpected business venture considering their professional past: the manufacture and distribution of top notch, custom-made bass and electric guitars.Totally handmade in Brazil with non-endangered certified Brazilian woods of high quality and beauty, the D'Alegria instruments are different from many others by their high level of customization. The 15 plus years of study and practice of woodwork contributed for the development of techniques that allow them to obtain the maximum in terms of visual and technical characteristics from several types of woods. The special care when choosing the woods to be used combines the aim for an odd sound and the need to help the protection of our environment. It's important to mention the use of new wood species not traditionally chosen in the manufacture of musical instruments, such as the Andiroba (recommended as a substitute for Mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
), the Ipê
IPE
Ipe or IPE can refer to:* Ipê, trees in the genus Tabebuia and their wood* Ipe , an extensible drawing editor* Individual Plant Examination in nuclear power plant probabilistic risk assessment* Institute of Public Enterprise in India...
(one of the most stable and stiff wodd species), the Freijó (typically used for fine furnishure), the Muiracatira, the Purpleheart
Purpleheart
Peltogyne, known as Purpleheart, is a genus of 23 species of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, native to tropical regions of Central and South America, where they occur in tropical rainforests....
, the Cumaru
Cumaru
Cumaru is a city located in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Located at 132 km away from Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco. Has an estimated population of 13.812 inhabitants.-Geography:* State - Pernambuco...
, the Garapa
Garapa
Garapa or Caldo de cana is the Brazilian Portuguese term for the juice of raw sugar cane. Sugar cane juice is consumed as a beverage worldwide, and especially in regions where sugarcane is commercially grown such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Latin America...
, the Marupá, the Tauari amongst others, contributing at the same for the obtention of specific tones and the dissemination of a culture that will relieve the pressure on endangered species.
All that helps to include the Brazilian woods among the preferred ones as standards in the manufacture of such instruments, putting Brazil in an important position in the international market for the volume of its reserves. This process has already happened with the Brazilian Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
and the Mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
in the past, for example, although the uncontrolled extraction and illegal exportation have put them under extinction risk. The controlled use of Brazilian materials of low cost will help the industrialization process in this segment making the country play an important role as Korea has been doing for years, and now China.
Among the direct musical characteristics we should mention the search for a perfect project and manufacture of D'Alegria bass and guitars, aiming the creation of eclectic instruments that will work in all musical styles. The exclusive D'Alegria active preamps allow adjustments as specific as the choice of woods used for each instrument, and all that together should be in fine tuning to provide the ideal sound for each musician.
Basic models
- Dart - 4, 5 or 6-string bass, presenting the Dart, A-Dart ("Acoustic Dart") and Double Dart versions
- Defender - 4 or 5-string bass, presenting the JB and JB Deluxe versions
- Dragster - 4 or 5-string bass
- Discovery - 4-string electric upright bassElectric upright bassThe electric upright bass is an electronically amplified version of the double bass that has a minimal or 'skeleton' body, which greatly reduces the size and weight of the instrument. The EUB retains enough of the features of the double bass so that double bass players are comfortable performing...
(EUB), with piezoPiezoelectric sensorA piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, strain or force by converting them to an electrical charge.-Applications:...
pickups - Dimension - 6-string electric guitar
- Dragon - 4, 5, 6 or 7-string bass
Signature models
- Defender TB - 4-string fretted bass, Trevor Bolder's signature model
- Defender TP - 5-string fretted bass, Trae Pierce's signature model
- Dimension JD - 6-string guitar, Jan Dumée's signature model
- Defender JP - 5-string fretted bass, Jorge Pescara's signature model
- Dart FA - 6-string fretted bass, Felipe Andreoli's signature model
- A-Dart FA - 6-string fretless bass, Felipe Andreoli's signature model
- Dart AN - 6-string fretted bass, André Neiva's signature model
- Dynamo AG - 4-string fretted bass (short fingerboard, 32 inches), André Gomes's signature model
Musicians who play D'Alegria instruments
- Trevor BolderTrevor BolderTrevor Bolder is an English rock bassist, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his long association with Uriah Heep and his tenure with The Spiders From Mars, the one-time backing band for David Bowie, although he has played alongside a variety of musicians since the...
(Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
, Wishbone AshWishbone AshWishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
and David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
) - Trae Pierce (Blind Boys of Alabama, and James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
's and Dr. Hook's bands) - Jan DuméeJan DuméeJan Dumée is a Dutch rock/jazz guitar player, composer and record producer.-With Focus:*Focus 8 *Live in the USA *Live in South America -External links:* * * * *...
(On The RocksOn The Rocks (band)On The Rocks is an international rock band formed by British, Dutch and Brazilian musicians with different musical backgrounds, leading to a unique style.-History:...
, FocusFocus (band)Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia"...
) - Jorge PescaraJorge PescaraJorge Pescara is a Brazilian Bassist and Megatar player, specializing in Fusion, Progressive, Experimental and Brazilian Jazz.-Setup:* Basses: D'Alegria Defender Jorge Pescara signature 5str bass; Condor/D'Alegria BC8000JP fretless 8str; Megatar Toneweaver 12str; Megatar Dragon 12str * Strings:...
(Ithamara Koorax, Dom Um Romão, Eumir Deodato, Luiz Bonfá, ZERO, Fernando Girão, solo) - Felipe AndreoliFelipe AndreoliFelipe Andreoli is a heavy-metal bassist known for playing in bands like Angra, Karma and Almah.In 2006, along with Angra and Hangar's members, he participated in Fábio Laguna's Freakeys project....
(AngraAngra (band)Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
and KarmaKarmaKarma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
) - Arthur Maia (Gilberto GilGilberto GilGilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
's band) - Ako Kiiski (Wishbone AshWishbone AshWishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
) - Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69Pink Cream 69Pink Cream 69 is a German hard rock band founded in 1987 in Karlsruhe, Germany by Andi Deris, Dennis Ward, Kosta Zafiriou and Alfred Koffler. The band gained their first contract by winning music magazine Metal Hammer 's newcomer competition in Ludwigsburg one year after forming. In 1994, Andi...
) - Dudu Lima (Stanley JordanStanley JordanStanley Jordan is an American jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and pianist, best known for his development of the tapping technique for the guitar....
's band) - André Gomes (Pepeu GomesPepeu GomesPedro Anibal de Oliveira Gomes, better known as Pepeu Gomes is an accomplished Brazilian guitar player and composer...
's band, and Cheiro de Vida)