1927 Francisco Simplicio No. 161 SP/MH

This 1927 Francisco Simplicio is a spruce and quilted mahogany classical guitar from Barcelona, No. 161 – his most deluxe model, with a gilded carved ebony head and a mahogany tornavoz.

In the videos above, Sondre Hoymer plays Tárrega's "Vals en re mayor" and Celil Refik Kaya plays "Loretta" on this guitar.

Simplicio's Most Deluxe Model

This is Simplicio's most deluxe model, and features a high degree of breathtaking decoration including golden highlights in the carved ebony head, gold engraved German machines with mother-of-pearl oval buttons, and multiple layers of purfling (including rope inlays in the back and side purflings, and mosaics in the top purfling) – all very tastefully and exquisitely done. The materials are striking as well – most notably a set of gorgeous quilted mahogany for the back and sides.

A Wooden Tornavoz

The sound of this Simplicio is particularly magnificent – great depth to every note up the entire register with a big bottom-end and lyrical trebles. This effect is enhanced due to its being fitted with a "tornavoz", a conical tube attached to the soundhole, which adds a sonic boom to the bottom end and gives the trebles a brilliant clarity. Normally these are made of brass, but Simplicio often used wood, as in this case – mahogany.

Condition

The guitar is in almost perfect condition – with only a small amount of playing wear, there is only one repaired top crack. But the nut, saddle and frets are still original, as is the French polish on the entire instrument. Some of the original shellac is still visible on the fingerboard, a popular option in Simplicio's era. 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.