PAULINO BERNABE GUITARRA DE ESTUDIO 1985 - GRAND ROYAL CLASS CLASSICAL GUITAR

Description

Please read my 3 days return policy at the bottom of the page.
Paulino Bernabe “Guitarra de Estudio”.
There are no clues inside the body that would point to certain date or its actual maker. Its overall structural design, headstock design, tuners, scale, design of its label, Bernabe’s address on the label and various signs of aging led me to a conclusion that this guitar was made in Spain sometime in mid1980s.
Most likely it was made by less known Spanish luthier eager to make instruments for “Casa Bernabe”. It is quite common for famous Spanish luthiers to cooperate with younger and/or less prominent colleagues and sell their instruments under own label. Paulino Bernabe Sr. was no different in that regard. Nevertheless, all guitars sold with his labels had to meet his standards, were made under his supervision, basing on his blueprints and technology. Although sold as “Estudio” models many of these guitars sound no different from higher end Bernabe models sold with his own signature or personal stamp on the label.
This particular guitar represents all the same traits Paulino Bernabe guitars are famous for.
It is immensely powerful yet very lyrical at the same time, has strong (cello-like) basses, strong and crystal clear (piano-like) trebles, all notes with sweet and colorful overtones yet also with high level of clarity and separation, and all magnified by truly magical sustain. Yet despite all its might this guitar gives a player a great feeling of transparency and lightness. With its great response and sensitivity playing it seems effortless. With all its tonal traits this guitar certainly deserves a title of Grand Royal instrument.
After selling over 800 classical guitars including many “top of the line” models made by world famous luthiers and knowing well new guitars currently sold in USA, I would value this “Guitarra de Estudio” guitar at 00 level. Only a total novice or someone who lost sense of hearing could describe this guitar as “entry level” or “student level”.
Despite several very minor marks on its body (with most of them located on the soundboard) overall condition of this guitar can be described as “at least very good for its age”. Mild cloudiness of its finishes is greatly exaggerated on the pictures. Most importantly guitar doesn’t have any structural flaws, its neck is straight, fingerboard and frets are in excellent condition and original Gotoh tuners work smoothly.
Specifications:
Top: Very High Grade Solid Cedar/Lacquer
Sides: Solid Indian Rosewood/Lacquer
Back: Indian Rosewood/Lacquer
This is either single laminated back or (may very well be) double back composed of 2 laminated plates not glued together.
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Scale: 655 mm
Nut width: 52 mm
The action on this guitar is set to 3.50 mm under E6 and 3.00 mm under E1, with very little extra room on the saddle.
Guitar will be shipped in used non-original hard shell case.
Paulino Bernabe biography as published by Guitar Salon International
Paulino Bernabe (father)
Paulino Bernabe is considered to be among the rare elite of classical guitar makers. His guitars are played by many recording artists and are admired for their powerful, clear and sustaining sound.
When Paulino Bernabe (1932-2007) studied the guitar with Daniel Fortea, a pupil of Francisco Tárrega, he started developing an interest in lutherie. In 1954, young Paulino became an apprentice guitar maker, and then eventually the head artisan in the famous Jose Ramirez workshop. In 1969, Bernabe left Ramirez to establish his own workshop in Madrid.
Even though Paulino Bernabe was deeply rooted in the old Madrid School of guitar making, he was a great innovator and experimenter. He has developed his own strutting system and construction methods that allowed his guitars to have a unique sound with strong basses, clear trebles and a wide range of tone colors. His search for those sound qualities began in the early 1970’s with a radical at the time 5-strut bracing system of the soundboard (later increased this number to 7). More recently he started implementing a relatively complex multi-strutted layout with four struts projecting outward from the soundhole, as well as three fan braces at varied heights and thicknesses, and an innovative back design. All these innovations resulted in his instruments having a sweeter, yet clear and focused tone.
In addition to his vast stock of rare and aged rosewood, Paulino Bernabe Sr. was also likely to use woods that were not common in classical guitar making – flamed maple, pear, and even camphorwood.
Paulino Bernabe Sr. is the builder of the famous 10-string guitar that Narciso Yepes played until his death.
Paulino Bernabe II (son)
Paulino Bernabe II was born on June 9, 1960 in Madrid, and since the very beginning he had a close contact with his the workshop where his father worked
Paulino lived in the upper floor of the shop, where he had a chance to observe his father’s work. His father always told him that he looked for the most noble woods to build great guitars. When the father became an independent luthier, young Paulino had a chance to learn even more secrets of guitar construction directly from his father.
At the age of 17, Paulino Bernabe II began his career in lutherie as his father’s apprentice. His father was always a perfectionist and a demanding teacher. He emphasized the importance of knowing the tools and the wood very well.
Paulino Bernabe II worked together with his father for 30 years. Even when they rested or were on vacations they were constantly thinking about their craft. Nowadays, after his father’s passing, Paulino Bernabe II continues the family tradition of guitar building.
Returns
If you are not happy with your purchase you may return the guitar for a full refund of original payment less any shipping charges.
All you need to do is:
1.
Notify me within 48 hours after receiving the guitar.
2.
Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials and s
hip it back to me within 24 hours after "return notification".
Naturally if you expect to receive a full refund, guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I ship it to you.
P.s. If you'd like to check my "modest" playing skills click on the links below:
http://youtu.be/ExVwfhLy1gQ
http://youtu.be/XNdeSWxb2nU
http://youtu.be/mecVgriaKJ0
http://youtu.be/O9ErnhZhDxw
http://youtu.be/ceVTybPnq7c
http://youtu.be/Zyz8eZeTSRQ
http://youtu.be/T8bkPi4jhss
http://youtu.be/W1FaCjodgZM