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Luthier: Bucolo
Neck: Walnut with maple spline
Year: 1950s
Fingerboard: Ebony
Condition: Very Good
Binding: Ebony/Maple (Rope)
Serial: None
Finish:
Soundhole: Oval
Tailpiece: B
Model: Oval Hole
Tuners: SB Nickel Plated
Body Size: 15 3/4 inch
Truss Rod: None
Body Depth: 4 1/8"
Action: 2.8mm
Scale Length: 670mm
Strings: Argentine 1510MF
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Case: TKL
Neck: 14 Fret
Pickup: None
Top: Spruce
Weight: 4.15 lbs
Back and Sides: Walnut
This fantastic instrument was built sometime in the 1950s by
Horace Bucolo. Bucolo was one of the many famous
Sicilian luthiers to make his name in France (along with Busato,
DiMauro, Catania, Anastasio, Oliveri, etc.) These luthiers all hailed from the city of Catania which was an active center for string instrument making in Sicily. These luthiers shared an approach to instrument making which produced some of the most revered and coveted "Gypsy" guitars of all time. This Bucolo guitar is an outstanding example of this unique legacy. It was constructed using many of the signature techniques of the Sicilian school, including a three piece neck, both top and back arches, unique brace configuration, and florid ornamentation.
While the price of guitars made by Busato (along with other Italian
makers such as Favino and Maccaferri) have skyrocketed in recent
years, the prices of Bucolo's instruments have remained relatively moderate (which is due at least in part to their extreme scarcity.) However, after playing
this instrument, I think anyone would agree that this Bucolo guitar is on par with most of it's higher priced peers.
This instrument features Selmer like dimensions: 670mm scale, a 15 3/4" body depth, and a 4 1/8" body deep. The back and sides are
highly figured walnut, the top is spruce, the neck is walnut with a maple spline, and the binding is a maple-walnut rope. The tailpiece has a "B" insignia and there is also an insert engraved with the initial "B A" or "C B A." It is fitted with SB tuners which still turn smoothly after all these years. Like many guitars from this era, the label is that of the retailer, not the luthier. This guitar bears a "Symphonia" label which was the name of a prominent music store of the time.
This guitar has only three internal braces, a feature also used by Castelluccia. Obviously Bucolo knew what he was doing as the pliage is still perfectly arched.
This guitar is one of the best preserved examples I've seen from this era. It has numerous dings, scratches, and finish wear but miraculously there are no cracks. Our tech Josh replaced the fingerboard, frets, and bridge. It is setup with very low 2.8mm action. As you'd expect, it plays very easily, much like that of a new Dupont. Playability is one of the biggest challenges with vintage guitars, so it's a relief this one is setup so well.
Tonally this guitar ranks alongside some of the best, and usually much more expensive, vintage Busatos, Selmers, Favios, etc. It has everything people look
for in the best Gypsy guitars: good projection, dryness, clarity, and
balance. This instrument posses Busato like "hard trebles" which are tempered with a nice gutsy bass register. It is certainly one of the loudest guitars I've ever had in the shop and it speaks with a confident authority that I just love. You simply can't find new guitars that posses this rare combination of qualities. Only 50+ years of age and old world materials and building techniques yield such exquisite results.
This is the CASH price...add 3% if you'd like to pay with a credit
card. 4% for International orders.
