1960 Bouchet-El Testament d'Amelia (Llobet)

The guitars of Robert Bouchet are among the most prized and rare, he is renown for being one of the great and certainly unique masters as well as the progenitor of what could be called the French School. This magnificent Bouchet is one I have known of for years and sits at the apex (for me) of the instruments of his own proprietary internal pattern; conveniently known as Bouchet bracing.

When I was offered the opportunity to represent this instrument, I leapt at it as the previous owner had two. I sold the other for him first (to a dear friend and client) and marveled at what an incredible Bouchet it was (is). And of course I had to wonder, if that was the one he let go....imagine what the one he was keeping was like.

Well here it is. As perfect a guitar as you could wish for, the finest Bouchet I know. To be totally fair and honest, that other Bouchet isn't anything to sneeze at, it is still the loudest and most explosive Bouchet with a tone that makes me think of a cross between Bouchet and Miguel Rodriguez. And it is in fact a bit louder than this one. But the nobility of tone of this guitar, the incredible musicality, evenness of response, sustain and it still has impressive volume..if you listed all the qualities that make Bouchet guitars what they are...this is the one, for me, that wins the day.

Thankfully you don't have to take my word for it, Chris is ever so much better at demonstrating this masterpiece more than my words ever could.

Thank you for listening!

[lindatsardakas]

Beautiful! Such soulful playing on a such a lovely guitar. Thank you for sharing this.

[aarongreen]

Hi All, To those who have commented and do not see them here, I apologize. For some reason when I approve comments they sometimes just disappear. Which is greatly annoying since they were such lovely sentiments. In any case thank you all for your kind words!

[Interstellore]

Played absolutely beautifully great touch