Robert Bouchet

In 1946, having lost the guitar that he had been using during the war, he decided to make one. This first attempt was a resounding success among guitarists and he started receiving his first customer orders. Around 1957, he took the innovative step of adding what he called a “barre d’âme” to his guitars, obtaining a beautifully balanced and distinctive sound. His renown soared and musicians such as Ida Presti, Alexandre Lagoya and Julian Bream adopted his instruments. He is reputed to have built 154 guitars, highly sought-after today, and his work has had a tremendous influence in the world of guitar lutherie.

Contents
His life
His painting
Influences
Workshop Logbook
His lutherie
Aesthetic signatures
Soundhole cutouts
Labels and numbering
Tools
The influence of Nylon strings
Acoustics
Testimonials
   • Julian Bream
   • José Luis Romanillos
   • Michael Jessett & Robert Bouchet
Bouchet and Japan
   • Stefano Grondona
   • Andrea Tacchi
His successors
   • Antonio Marín
   • Daniel Friederich
   • Dominique Field
   • Jean-Pierre Mazé
Portfolio