Paul Fischer - 1994 Simplicio

Born on the Isle of Man but brought up in the city of Oxford, it was here that he began his career under the tutelage of the renowned harpsichord maker Robert Goble, making instruments within the finest European tradition. Further study at the Oxford College of Art and Technology completed his training. Paul is rare in having this skill with different instruments but his love of the guitar led him to a chance meeting with the late David Rubio, at Duns Tew, Oxfordshire, a renowned place visited by Julian Bream and John Williams. As chief instrument maker and manager he remained with Rubio for a number of years. Success with his own instruments during this period under the Rubio label and stamped P.F (which can still be seen in use today), led him to establish his own studio in 1975. In 1983 he was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to extend his research into the forest of Brazil. Paul Fischer has served as an advisor to the crafts Panel for the Southern Arts Association, and also as a Technical Advisor and Panel Member of the Crafts Council of Great Britain. He still dedicates his life to making fine instruments with a panoramic view of the Cotswold Hills from his workbench. As the classical guitar has joined the mainstream in the second half of the 20th century, he has been one of the figures in the vanguard and at the cutting edge of the evolution of the modern concert guitar. His instruments have been featured in many publications including the best seller ‘The Complete Guitarist’ by Richard Chapman (Dorling Kindersley 1993), and ‘The Classical Guitar: A Complete History’ by John Morrish et al (Balafon 1997).

This 1994 Paul Fischer guitar is a meticulously crafted copy of a Francisco Simplicio design, known for its innovative divided sound hole. Simplicio, who created at least nine guitars featuring this unique design, aimed to enhance the instrument's acoustic properties by allowing more room for the top to vibrate. This design also facilitated longer bracing, which in turn produced deeper bass resonances. The top of this guitar is constructed from spruce, paired with strikingly figured birdseye maple for the back and sides, combining aesthetic beauty with exceptional sound quality. Despite some playing wear, the guitar remains in very good condition without any structural issues. It comes equipped with high-quality Rodgers tuning machines and includes a hard-shell case for protection.

Sonically, the guitar offers significant volume with velvety trebles and rich, dark basses, making it a robust instrument suitable for a variety of musical styles. This particular model is notable not only for its sound and build quality but also for its historical significance—it is the exact guitar featured in the "Francisco Simplicio Luthier" book by Diego Milanese and Umberto Piazza. This feature underscores its importance and collectibility, making it a prized possession for enthusiasts of classical guitar history and craftsmanship.