If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already decided you want a cavaquinho. The harder question is which one.
That’s a fair question, because the price range is wide. You can find a beginner model for under $400 or an electric professional instrument pushing $1,150, and the honest answer is that both are the right choice for somebody. This guide walks through what actually changes as the price goes up, so you can match the instrument to what you’re going to do with it, not just to what looks nicest in a photo.
A quick note on names before we start: you’ll see this instrument called both “cavaquinho” (the full Brazilian name) and “cavaco” (the shorthand most players and shops use day to day). Same instrument. We use both here. You can browse the full range in our Brazilian cavaquinho collection as you read.
Start With What You’re Actually Going to Do With It
Before tiers and prices, ask yourself one question: are you learning, or are you already playing something and picking up a second instrument fast?
If you’re starting from zero, you don’t need your first cavaquinho to be your last one. A solid beginner instrument will teach you everything you need for the first year or two of playing samba and choro rhythms. If you already play guitar, ukulele, or cuatro and you’re adding cavaquinho to what you do, a mid-tier instrument will reward the technique you’re bringing with you and won’t hold you back once your ear gets sharper.
Beginner Tier ($375–$487)
This is where most first-time buyers land, and for good reason. These instruments are built to be reliable and easy to keep in tune, without extra cost for features a new player won’t notice yet.
- Giannini CS14 ($375): the most accessible entry point in the catalog.
- Giannini CS1 ($387): a step up in finish, same beginner-friendly build.
- Cavaco Rozini Estudante ($389–$487 depending on case): Rozini is one of the most recognized names in Brazilian cavaquinho, and the Estudante line is their standard student model. If you want a first instrument from a brand that Brazilian players actually use and trust, this is it.
Any of these three will get you through your first chords, your first samba strum patterns, and your first months of frustration-then-breakthrough. Don’t overspend here just to feel serious about it. Spend on lessons and practice time instead.
Mid Tier ($397–$598)
This tier is for two kinds of buyers: players ready to commit past the beginner stage, and experienced musicians on other stringed instruments who want an instrument that won’t limit their technique.
- Giannini CST1 (Gonçalo Alves) ($397–$468 depending on case): better tonewood than the CS line, noticeably warmer sound.
- Cavaco Rozini Studio Acoustic ($459–$598 depending on case): Rozini’s step-up acoustic, built for players who are practicing seriously or starting to perform.
This is also the tier we’d point most cuatro and ukulele players toward if they’re adding cavaquinho as a second instrument. You already have the hand strength and the ear. Give yourself an instrument that keeps up.
Electric and Professional Tier ($548–$1,148)
This tier exists for players who perform, record, or simply want the best instrument available. It includes both acoustic-electric models, for players who need to plug in, and top-tier acoustic builds.
- Rozini Studio Eléctrico ($548–$638)
- Rozini Professional Light Electric ($737–$835)
- Rozini Professional Dark Electric ($817–$925)
- Rozini Show Electric ($745–$879)
- Rozini Estilo Electric ($792–$888)
- Rozini Presença Brasil Electric ($787–$867)
- Rozini Concertista ($965–$1,148, including an electric hardshell option): a professional acoustic build for players who want maximum tone, with an electric version available.
- Cavaquinho Master, Alfonso Sandoval ($1,100): the top of the catalog by craftsmanship. This is an instrument for someone who already knows exactly what they’re listening for.
If you’re not sure whether you need this tier yet, you probably don’t. Come back to it once you know what you’re missing from a mid-tier instrument, not before.
What You’ll Need Alongside It
A cavaquinho on its own isn’t quite ready to play. Budget a little extra for:
- Strings: D’Addario cavaquinho strings, sold as a single set ($9.96), a 3-pack ($27.90), or a 6-pack ($52.98). Buy at least a spare set. Cavaquinho strings are a specialty item and you don’t want to be stuck waiting on a replacement mid-practice-streak.
- A clip-on tuner: the Snark SN1X ($17.97) is the standard recommendation. Cavaquinho tuning takes some getting used to if you’re coming from guitar or ukulele, and a tuner removes the guesswork while your ear adjusts.
- A case, if it isn’t already bundled with your instrument (the Rozini Estudante includes one; check before buying separately).
One Honest Thing Before You Order
Cavaquinhos in this catalog are built to order rather than pulled from a warehouse shelf, so plan for a real wait between ordering and delivery, not next-day shipping. That’s normal for handmade Brazilian instruments, not a sign anything’s wrong with your order. If timing matters for you, for a gift date or a performance, reach out before ordering so we can give you a realistic window.
Whichever tier you land on, the same rule applies: the best cavaquinho is the one you’ll actually pick up and play. Start honest about where you are, buy for that, and let the upgrade come later, once you’ve earned the opinion to know what you want next. Browse the full cavaquinho collection to compare instruments side by side.
