Bucolo/Symphonia 1955 O-hole

Bucolo/Symphonia 1955 O-hole
This fantastic instrument was built sometime mid 1955 by Horace Bucolo. Bucolo was one of the many famous Sicilian luthiers to make his name in France (along with Busato, DiMauro, Catania, Anastasio, Oliveri, etc.) These luthiers all hailed from the city of Catania which was an active center for string instrument making in Sicily. All those luthiers shared an approach to instrument making which produced some of the most revered and coveted "Gypsy" guitars of all time. This Bucolo guitar is an outstanding example of this unique legacy. It was constructed using many of the signature techniques of the Sicilian school, including a three piece neck, both top and back arches, unique brace configuration, and florid ornamentation.This instrument features Selmer like dimensions: 670mm scale, a 15 3/4" body depth, and a 4 1/8" body deep. The back and sides are highly figured walnut, the top is spruce, the neck is walnut with a maple spline, and the binding is a maple-walnut rope. The tailpiece has a "B" insignia and there is also an insert engraved with the initial "B A" or "C B A." It is fitted with SB tuners which still turn smoothly after all these years. This guitar has only three internal braces, a feature also used by Castelluccia. Obviously Bucolo knew what he was doing as the pliage is still perfectly arched.Like many guitars from this era, the label is that of the retailer, not the luthier. This guitar bears a "Symphonia" label which was the name of a prominent music store of the time.
Bucolo 1955 side
Bucolo 1955 side
Bucolo 1955 O-hole side
Bucolo 1955 soundhole
Bucolo 1955 soundhole
Bucolo 1955 O-hole soundhole
Bucolo 1955 head
Bucolo 1955 head
Bucolo 1955 O-hole head
Bucolo 1955 tuners
Bucolo 1955 tuners
Bucolo 1955 O-hole tuners
Bucolo 1955 label
Bucolo 1955 label
Bucolo 1955 O-hole label
Bucolo 1955 back
Bucolo 1955 back
Bucolo 1955 O-hole back side
Bucolo 1955 cutaway
Bucolo 1955 cutaway
Bucolo 1955 O-hole cutaway
Bucolo 1955 front
Bucolo 1955 front
Bucolo 1955 O-hole front
Bucolo 1955 neck
Bucolo 1955 neck
Bucolo 1955 O-hole neck
Bucolo 1955 headstock
Bucolo 1955 headstock
Bucolo 1955 O-hole headstock
Bucolo 1955 front close
Bucolo 1955 front close
Bucolo 1955 O-hole front close