Clifford Essex Maccaferri Guitar - Marco Roccia

Buco · September 2022

It's really nice that you brought light to this luthier, for me at least.

billyshakes · September 2022

No doubt you found this page about Marco in your searches, but I'll post it here to the discussion in case any are interested. (Icon shows the obit but there is much more on the webpage). Looks like he might have some interesting bracing patterns on his guitars (though the image on the page shows a typical 5 brace Selmer pattern). Also, looks like he was known to sign his initials M.R. on the underside of the top of the guitar. Next time you have the strings off, if you have a little luthier mirror, you might try to look around and see what you can see!

I also noted there was participation in that article by both a great-grandson and granddaughter. Not sure if you might contact them, but perhaps there is still a build book in existence that might explain the SP. abbreviation, which was your original question. As you say, based on the article information, your guitar was from February 1970 and was #58. Given that #38 was in 4/62 and #48 was in 2/65, he certainly wasn't making a lot in that shop.

One final question...does your top have a pliage? The article shows his bending iron setup.

https://gypsyjazzuk.wordpress.com/gypsy-jazz-uk-home/uk-luthiers/marco-roccia/

G4pei · September 2022

I have seen that article, very interesting.

The guitar does have a pliage. Richard Bartram, the luthier who set it up for me said that the bracing was much more robust than Selmers he'd seen. The article interestingly says that Marco knew from experience where other guitars 'fell down' in terms of construction so maybe his robust bracing was an improvement in his mind over the Selmers he'd worked on?

G4pei · May 10

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/112480#Comment_112480

I realised I didn't follow up on your comment. Marco has indeed signed the guitar on the underside.

Buco · May 10

With all the discussion about this guitar, did we ever hear how it sounds? Got any audio samples?

G4pei · May 12

Sadly not Buco. I didn't progress with my pursuit into Gypsy Jazz so it sits in a shop in London, for sale.

Buco · May 12

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/121424#Comment_121424

SOS call to @Jangle_Jamie

Jangle_Jamie · May 13

Funnily enough I was in London last year and was going to go to play this guitar, but just didn't have the time unfortunately. I was told that it's a great guitar.

There's a nice looking Risto Ivanovski D hole just listed recently on some well known platforms, but my guitar buying is currently dormant - lack of funds coupled with the fact that I'm enjoying what I have.

But thanks for thinking of me!!!

Buco · May 13

Oh so I wasn't far away, you actually planned on trying it. Cool. What's is the asking price? This guitar has some of the the coolest story behind it.