This is a 1984 concert classical guitar by Paulino Bernabé Sr., one of the most important figures in the Madrid school of guitar making and a direct successor to the tradition of José Ramírez III. Instruments from this period represent Bernabé at the height of his powers—combining structural refinement with a powerful, projecting voice sought after by concert artists, such as Narciso Yepes and Paco Peña for precisely this balance of power and refinement, and this example embodies those qualities beautifully.

Built with a cedar top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides, this guitar offers the tonal depth and complexity expected of a top-tier Madrid instrument:

The guitar retains its original French polish finish and is fitted with Fustero tuning machines, consistent with high-end Spanish instruments of the period.

There are guitars that speak, and there are guitars that sing with authority. This 1984 instrument by Paulino Bernabé Sr. belongs firmly in the latter category.

From the first touch, the cedar top responds with immediacy—warm, deep, and alive under the hands. The Brazilian rosewood body adds a layer of richness and complexity that unfolds as the sound develops, giving the instrument both depth and dimension. The trebles rise clear and singing, never forced; the basses are firm, rounded, and controlled. Between them lies a voice that is coherent, expressive, and remarkably flexible.

This is an instrument that invites interpretation. It rewards subtlety. It allows the player to move effortlessly from the intimate to the expansive—from a whispered phrase to a fully voiced chord that fills a hall without losing clarity.

The owner is a professional guitarist, and has maintained this guitar in prestine condition.