2015 Federico Sheppard "Camino Dos Bocas" SP/AR

This instrument was built in Sheppard's workshop in Carrion de los Condes, Spain which is about midway between Burgos and Leon, and situated right on the "Camino de Santiago" - the 500 mile trail to Santiago de Compestela that pilgrims have been walking since the Middle Ages. The area of Carrion de los Condes is littered with Medeival churches and castles built largely in the austere and breathtaking Romanesque style. Sheppard has walked the trail in its entirety 3 times, and has become enamoured with the rich artistic history, Catholic mystical tradition and pilgrim culture that is associated with the area. Not surprisingly, he infuses these elements into a series of instruments that he calls the "Camino" guitars.

The most obvious and striking thing one notices about this guitar at first glance is the two soundhole "Dos Bocas" system fitted around either side of the fingerboard (which being slightly longer, has a full-length 20th fret). This is inspired by guitars of the same design from Francisco Simplicio (one of Sheppard's heroes) who built several of these in the 1920s and early 1930s. Federico has always kept a standard Simplicio and a "Dos Bocas" on hand in his shop. So although the label bears the date 2015, this guitar has been in Federico's shop and used for filming including a film of Pavel Steidl in the "Spanish Sistine Chapel" performing on it (see below). He was finally ready to let it go and so did some finish touch-up before sending to us. This was made as part of a series of guitars built in his 59th year, hence the number "59" on the label. Barrios, Esteso, Carulli and many others died at 59. Simplicio augered in at 58. The head carving is from the famous castle of the Knights Templar in Ponferrada Spain, on the camino of course.

And the instrument itself? Federico Sheppard is a veteran of the craft, having built for many years from his storage of high-grade wood that he has amassed over several decades. His deep love of traditional guitars, pre-modern repertoire and old-world craftsmanship firmly places this instrument in the early 20th century Spanish schools of Madrid (Manuel Ramirez/Santos Hernandez/Domingo Esteso) and Barcelona (Garcia/Simplicio) in its style of sound production, quality of tone and playability. It has a beautiful, singing and dark, mysterious sound that is perfect for late 19th-century and early 20th-century Spanish music. Overall this is a very inspired maker with an incredibly unique (yet traditional) approach to guitar making that harkens back to what many would call the golden era of Spanish guitar making. We are incredibly pleased to be offering this instrument and as Federico Sheppard's exclusive US dealer, we look forward to many more of these in the future.