Robert Bouchet 1898-1986 Peintre & luthier
Language: English/French
Paperback
Publish Date: 2025
No. Pages: 216 pages 4-colours book
24 x 32
Weight 1,6kg
DESCRIPTION & CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION & CONTENTS
A new book as well-crafted and full of information and interest as those Alberto Martínez has accustomed us to in his series of publications already available at MaderaGuitarras.com, dedicated to the most important guitar makers in history. This time, it focuses on Robert Bouchet.
This French guitar maker introduced structural and construction elements of great importance (especially the under-bridge bar raised above the braces on the guitar’s soundboard) creating a very distinctive sound and that have influenced major figures in the history of the guitar, such as here in Granada the Marín family (Antonio Marín Montero and José Marín Plazuelo), among many others in Spain, France and beyond.
Robert Bouchet began his career as a painter. Between 1935 and 1937, he discovered the guitar and became interested in its construction while visiting the workshop of the Spanish guitar maker Gómez Ramírez.
In 1946, having lost his guitar during the war, he decided to build one himself. This first instrument met with great success among guitarists, and he soon received his first orders. Around 1957, he introduced an innovation by adding a barre d’âme (harmonic bar) to his guitars, achieving a highly balanced and distinctive sound. His reputation grew, and musicians such as Ida Presti, Alexandre Lagoya, and Julian Bream, among others, adopted his instruments. He built a total of 154 guitars, which are now highly sought after, and his work has had a strong influence on many guitar makers.
CONTENTS
Sa vie / His life – Catherine Mariat
Sa peinture / His painting
Les influences / Influences
Cahier d’atelier / Workshop Logbook – Dominique Field
Sa lutherie / His lutherie / Aesthetic signatures – Richard Bruné
Signatures esthétiques / Aesthetic signatures
Les rondelles / Roundhole cutouts and numbering
Étiquettes et numérotation / Labels and numbering – Richard Bruné
L’ouïe des cordes en nylon / The influence of nylon strings – Richard Bruné
L’influence / Acoustics – Juan Fernández Manjarrés
Acoustique / Testimonials
Témoignages / Testimonials
Julian Bream
José Luis Romanillos
Michael Jessett & Robert Bouchet and Japan
Bouchet et le Japon / Bouchet and Japan
Stefano Grondona
Andrea Tacchi / His successors
Ses successeurs / His successors
Antonio Marin
Daniel Friedrich
Dominique Field
Jean-Pierre Mazé
Portfolio / Portfolio
Bouchet Guitars
Santos Hernández 1939
Daniel Friederich Book Luthier d'Art
