Paulino Bernabe Sr, 1996

Up for sale is one of the most special instruments I’ve ever owned, both in terms of its provenance as well as it’s sound. Video Demo: Link

This instrument was made by Paulino Bernabe Sr for Norbert Kraft which they affectionately named “Rosie“. Norbert used it to record some of his Villa Lobos album, and if you take a look at the attached letter from him, you can see the exact pieces he recorded with it! It was also his last touring instrument. Norbert compares the way this instrument projects to Daniel Friederich’s instruments, and if there is anyone’s ear you can trust, it’s Norbert Kraft- the man that was the recording engineer for most of the classical guitar albums you’ve heard (Naxos!). But if you’re reading this far, you probably already know that.

This guitar certainly isn’t in brand new condition, with lots of scratches and wear to the finish. That being said, there is also no evidence of cracks or repairs, which is outstanding, especially for this old growth Brazilian rosewood!

Please read the attached letter from Norbert about this particular instrument as well as the video I made of it. Keep in mind, I did not add any reverb, eq it, or edit the audio in any way. This is how it sounds in my living room.

Quickly, about the sound - it has the most gorgeous vibrato and sustain compared to any instrument I’ve ever played. it’s really quite a miracle. When you play it, you’d think you were playing on super light gauge strings and that you’re tuned down a half step by the way you can manipulate the strings and therefor the sound. Then, you flick on the tuner and you realize, ”wow, I’m tuned to A=440, and my strings are tight carbons!”
It has deep, harrowing basses, and crisp and sweet trebles.

At this price point, I know you can pick up a lot of other “dream instruments“ in amazing shape. But you simply won’t find one from a legendary luthier like Paulino Bernabe Sr, that has such provenance (Norbert Krafts last touring guitar), with such an outstanding sound.