Focus Boucher Guitars.
Boucher The guitars are the result of a long building tradition, begun by Norman Boucher in 1968 in La Patrie, Canada, as Norman Guitars.
Together with his son Claude, Norman produced at the time production inspired by the CF Martin guitar, with traditional forms Dreadnought el'incatentaura to X under the soundboard.
Along with Robert Godin, who is in charge of marketing and distribution in Canada and some European countries, Claude Boucher start another business in 1979 (the current Godin). Claude here deals with the design and implementation of not only the tools but also the machines and tools needed to implement them. Shown and this period Seagull guitars are made very early.
In 1981, Claude Boucher returns to work in his father's workshop until 1988, when the Norman sells its own brand and its production structure. Norman Boucher off in 1997, leaving Claude a vast legacy and knowledge of construction techniques that had made the Norman Guitars appreciated all over the world. After several years dedicated to experimenting with different woods and construction techniques, Claude Boucher decided to Guitars start Boucher, whose production is characterized by the high quality of raw materials used in the production of instruments.
currently in production models - all exclusively using traditional techniques - there are guitars with Adirondack spruce top, fine, back and sides, Brazilian rosewood, cocobolo, mahogany and exclusive Boucher, spruce dell'Adirondack.
MKM Ltd has obtained the distribution of the guitars from Boucher less than a year after being discovered by Italo Iovane (Product Manager MKM) ADGPA the convention of 2009, played by François Sciortino. The Italian guitarists were able to start enjoying these incredible guitars, very often they have provoked comments such as "Souna like a piano," with respect to their sound projection and tone to their very defined.
Among the special features most appreciated by the professionals we are without doubt the Adirondack spruce planks, made with seasoned wood and by the limited availability of the unique tonal characteristics, enhanced by staying in a special acoustic chamber inside the laboratory Boucher.
We recently had occasion to ask some questions to Robin Boucher, who along with Claude Boucher is the owner of Guitars.
MKMagazine : Boucher The guitars are made entirely by hand, a process that begins with the selection of the finest woods, such as the renowned dell'Adirondack spruce for the tops and chains. Among the many tools that you realized that there are two in particular caught my attention: these are guitars with Brazilian rosewood back and sides - extremely rare these days - like those in your line AVT (Vintage Adirondack Top) and the Spruce Goose back and sides with spruce.
While the effects of Brazilian rosewood on the timbre of an acoustic guitar are almost legendary, the use of spruce for the construction of the bottom and sides seem an unusual choice. How do you select the wood to be used for the production of your guitar and what are the motivations that led the Boucher to use fir for the bottom and sides - not only for the soundboards, where the tree occupies a place of first importance due to its resonance?
Robin Boucher : The main reason is that the spruce dell'Adirondack has a density greater than that of any other species of fir, more like that of mahogany. In our case the question was: "Many manufacturers use mahogany top, back and sides. So why not manufacture a guitar completely spruce? ".
Claude began using the dell'Adirondack spruce making guitars in 1975 with this wood and getting wonderful results. Two years later, in 1977, Norman Guitars presented a new model in the whole Adirondack spruce with the name 'Manik'. I own one of these guitars since 1978 and I play it almost every day - continues to have a great sound and is very well maintained ...
Some international artists have also used the same guitar for several years, such as brothers Shulman (Gentle Giant) were playing guitars 'Manik'.
Today, here at the Boucher, we call this model 'Spruce Goose' - In honor of the plane with the same name made by Howard Hughes in 1947. (A history of this particular aircraft can be found here in English).
MKMagazine : Another question sull'abete used to Boucher Guitars, this time talking about the top. In your book contains two sets of guitars using Adirondack spruce selezionatissmo: AVT series (Master Grade Adirondack spruce) and the Studio series (Claude Boucher Signature Adirondack spruce Grade). Both are made of wood subjected to a special aging process that helps create Sounio a very characteristic.
Can you tell us about it? And what are the characteristics necessary for you to reach a top level AVT?
Robin Boucher : All non-finished Master Grade top that are selected for use with guitars Boucher AVT series are submitted to a special aging process controlled. It 's a bit as for some wines.
The wood develops some properties as a result of absorption and vibration to which it is submitted - is almost transformed by Soun. Our room acoustics sounds of music 24 hours a day, music that wraps and leaves vibrate the wood which are suspended by a special procedure. The wood resonates naturally vibrates in this way, the Adirondack spruce - already known for its great sound projection - matures and becomes even more sensitive, almost as if he had been playing for 30 years ...
MKMagazine : Boucher The guitars are made completely by hand and yours is practically a family business. How many guitars around, leave your lab each month?
Robin Boucher : 70, maximum 75 each month.
MKMagazine : Let's take a quick look at the history Boucher. It all started in La Patrie in 1968 under the name Norman (Boucher) Guitars - the leading producer of acoustic guitars in Canada. It has been over forty years and Boucher Guitars is still in the midst of his business, as well as having accumulated considerable experience in the field. Probably it would take a book to explain in detail all the events that have marked his years, would you do a short summary for our readers?
Robin Boucher : Okay, long story short ... In 1979, Claude started a new company, also at La Patrie, along with Robert Godin, exactly the same company is the Godin today.
You see, Robert Godin, between 1972 and 1980, dealt exclusively with the distribution of Norman guitars in Canada and some European countries, and Claude is designed and built the first Seagull guitars that tools and machinery this new activity. In 1981, Claude will return to work in his father's workshop.
Since 1968, Claude has always been involved in experimenting with wood and projects with acoustic guitars. Finally, in 2003, he contacted me to start with this new reality, which is now the Boucher Guitars.
MKMagazine : In addition to the manufacturer, you are also a guitarist. We can say the same for staff and luthiers Boucher Guitars?
Robin Boucher : Today 12 people work at Boucher Guitars. Eight of these are guitar players!
MKMagazine : Thank you for your kindness and for taking the time could you devote.
Boucher The guitars are distributed exclusively by MKM Ltd
are tools made up entirely with craft procedures may find that waiting times are longer than usual. For more information about the tools Boucher will be within a new catalog with photos and detailed specifications of these instruments, we recommend you try at the first opportunity at your local dealer.
thanks to Maitre Fabio remain for the great work! - Guitarcook.com
