1926 Francisco Simplicio No. 78 SP/CSAR

This 1926 Francisco Simplicio is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Barcelona, No. 78 – an ornate model with a carved floral headstock and a brass tornavoz, sensitively restored by Yuris Zeltins.

In the videos above, Laurel Harned plays Manuel Ponce's "Theme Varié et Finale" on this guitar, followed by a short presentation of the guitar.

A Piece of Art: No. 78

This guitar is a fine example demonstrating the best of Simplicio's qualities and is one of his more ornate models with extra detailing, including mosaics in the top purfling, inner and outer rosette purflings and tie-block inlay. There are also half-herringbone inlays in the purflings for the sides and back. And perhaps most obviously, there is a beautiful carved floral pattern in the headstock. This is truly a piece of art in every way, and not just for its appearance.

The Sound of a Brass Tornavoz

The sound of this Simplicio is magical – there is great depth and rich overtone content in every note. Thanks to the inclusion of a brass 'tornavoz', it has a deep bottom-end and lyrical, harmonically rich and singing trebles. This guitar also has ample volume to fill any hall.

Restored by Yuris Zeltins

Being nearly 100 years old, it is in remarkably excellent condition – it recently had some cracks in the body stabilized by Yuris Zeltins without removing the back or tornavoz. He was able to view the inside of the guitar and perform all repair work with an arthroscopic camera that he ran internally between the tornavoz and back. He also used a variety of customized tools to access the interior made with everything from coat hangers to magnets – really a triumph of modern, conservative repair work, leaving it with all original elements intact including wood thicknesses and Simplicio's finish. Even the tuning machines are original and still in great working order. Overall, a highly desirable guitar from this famous builder.

Orfeo article on Simplicio – the French guitar magazine Orfeo devoted a feature to Francisco and Miguel Simplicio in its first issue.

Francisco Simplicio: Enrique García's Only Pupil

Francisco Simplicio (1874–1932) was brought up in Barcelona and was a cabinet-maker before he turned to guitar making in the workshop of Enrique García, the founder of the Barcelona school. He joined García in 1918, and the guitars of García's last years were built by the two of them together. When García died in 1922, Simplicio took over the premises at Paseo de San Juan 110, and his labels proudly state that he was García's "successor and only pupil" – "Suc. y único discípulo de Enrique García" – with García's Chicago 1893 medals.

Carved Headstocks and Art Nouveau Ornament

Simplicio was known not only for the beautiful tone of his instruments, but also for his exquisite workmanship and use of extravagant ornamentation. The ornate purfling and rosette detailing are immediately recognizable features of his work, as are the heavily and beautifully engraved headstocks, very much in the Art Nouveau taste of Barcelona at the time. His standard head was based on the Torres pattern, he often fitted a "tornavoz" (a conical tube attached to the soundhole), and in 1929 he won a gold medal at the World's Fair in Barcelona. He died in January 1932 and his son Miguel carried on the workshop.

The Simplicio Sound

The famous 'sound' of Simplicio is perhaps the most unique of the great makers of the twentieth century – it has a very "old-world" charm, and players of these guitars often remark how they are transported psychologically to another world when playing a Simplicio. His guitars left their mark on later makers such as Ignacio Fleta and Daniel Friederich, and they are sought after by collectors because despite their age they continue to play well.