Description
Bernabé Sr. (* 2. Juli 1932 in Madrid; † 10. Mai 2007 Madrid) was one of the most renowned luthiers from Spain. Before he founded his first workshop in 1969, where he worked along with his son Paulino Jr. from the 1980s onwards, Paulino Sr. worked in José Ramirez III’s workshop in the 1950s and 1960s. Bernabé guitars are still played in major venues all around the world today. Thibaut Garcia for instance, the winner of the 2016 Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) competition, has been playing on a Bernabé for several years.
This guitar, while reminiscent of the esteemed Bernabe Especial in tone and quality, stands out for its simplicity in design and Paulino Bernabe’s innovative approach to enhance its sound. Stripping away all non-essential elements, Bernabe focused singularly on sound improvement, employing techniques such as removing filling materials and reimagining the way the top, bottom, and sides join. The edges of the soundboard are beveled, enhancing both comfort and acoustics. The unique construction technique, which attaches the top and back directly to the sides without bindings, not only impresses from a constructor’s perspective but also significantly increases the vibration, resonance, and sustain of the guitar. This guitar, in very good condition with minimal playing wear, astonishes with its powerful projection and intensified Spanish character.
Luthier: | Paulino Bernabe |
Construction year: | 2016 |
Top: | Spruce |
Back and sides: | Cocobolo |
Scale: | 650 mm |
Nut: | 52 mm |
Weight: | 1730 grams |
Air body frequency: | G/G# |
Tuners: | Rubner |
Strings: | Knobloch EDC 34.0 |
Case: | Hiscox |
Condition: | Very Good |