2013 John Weissenrieder "Simplicio" SP/SW

A 2013 "Simplicio" classical guitar by John Weissenrieder, with a spruce top and satinwood back and sides, made in his Florence workshop – carved headstock, fine inlays and the deep Simplicio voice.

Satinwood and Simplicio Elegance

Like all of John's Simplicio guitars it is a work of art, from the elegantly carved head to the perfectly executed inlays. Its satinwood back and sides – found on some of Simplicio's most beautiful guitars – look stunning and lend extra focus and clarity to each note. Alessi tuners.

Sound and Playability

A huge, deep bottom end and round, lyrical trebles, with the power and projection for any concert – an old-fashioned charmer in tone, with a graceful neck and easy action. Photos of this guitar just before it was shipped to GSI.

John Weissenrieder: From Champion Cyclist to Florentine Guitar Maker

John Weissenrieder (1964–2017) was an American guitar maker who built his guitars in Florence, Italy. Born in Pennsylvania and later based in Boulder, Colorado, he grew up around woodworking – his father was a gifted amateur woodworker and his grandfather, who had emigrated from Switzerland, a machinist and furniture maker. He took up road cycling at 14, rode for the US Junior National Team, and became a professional mountain-bike racer, retiring in 1996 at 32. He also studied architecture for two years, and built a bouzouki with George Diamesis on the Greek island of Poros.

Apprenticeship with Andrea Tacchi and His Homages to Garcia, Simplicio and Bouchet

In September 1998 he arrived in Florence and began working with Andrea Tacchi, who became his teacher and friend. Together they studied the great makers of the past – a 1999 visit to the Barcelona music museum with Stefano Grondona, Simplicio copies, wood-buying trips in the Alps – and after a few more years in Tacchi's workshop John opened his own in Florence. He became best known for his guitars in homage to Enrique García, Francisco Simplicio and, above all, Robert Bouchet: faithful in spirit to their models, yet with a sound and look of his own. He died in 2017; read Andrea Tacchi's memories of John on our blog.