Paulino Bernabe is undoubtedly one of the finest and most respected builders in the world. As Paulino’s friend and exclusive US Dealer I sell many fine Bernabe guitars to clients and artists, and these treasured guitars command prices of up to $30,000.

The Rafael Roman guitars (formerly called the Paulino Bernabe model 40,50 etc.) are built under the guidance of Paulino himself. They are built using designs created and developed by Paulino, using woods that he selects. Paulino builds his own custom guitars (the Royal, Imperial,Classico, Especial, and Concierto) in his private shop in Madrid, and supervises the construction of the Rafael Roman models which are built in a separate shop, to his exacting specifications. Paulino’s reputation for excellence is legendary, and his guitars are enjoyed by some of the top players in the world. He is a wonderful human being and we visit each other often, either me going to Spain, or Paulino and his wife coming here to the US.

His rigorous oversight assures that each guitar deserves to reference the name of Paulino Bernabe on the label. The woods, workmanship, and sound are all indicative of the Bernabe reputation for excellence. Rafael Roman guitars set the standard for guitars in their price range and I have many clients who consider their ‘Roman’ guitar as their “guitar for life” having no plans to ever replace it.

These are concert level guitars. They possess a beautiful ‘Spanish’ tone, with smooth musical basses and glassy well balanced trebles, supported by ample volume. I recently sent one to a client who compared it side-by-side to no less than 15 other instruments he was considering from other shops. In the end he reported that the Rafael Roman was far superior to anything else he compared it to, and he acquired it for himself. This is a story I have heard repeated many times.

I invite you to see for yourself why guitars with the name “Paulino Bernabe” referenced on the label are always in demand.

---

---

---

For many years now I have enjoyed the friendship and guitars of Manuel and Jesus Bellido of Granada, Spain. No trip to Granada is ever complete without a visit, or dinner, with them and their jovial sense of humor, and general good nature. Manuel, the father, and Jesus, his son, work together in adjoining shops in the historical center of Granada.

Jesus began building in his fathers shop when he was a teenager, and by the mid 80’s had such an excellent reputation that he was giving courses in guitar building for aspiring Luthiers. By the mid 90’s however he returned to full time building and has built such a fine reputation that he is now booking orders far off into the future.

He builds in the Granada style influenced by both Torres and Bouchet, and has a very innovative spirit. He builds historical copies, for example Torres copies, but is mainly known for his own well respected Classical and Flamenco guitars. In recent years his guitars have become so popular around the world that he is booked with orders far in advance and the only way I was able to secure these exceptional guitars for my clients was by placing a standing order for them every year, to insure that they were available. Even then, I often have to wait months before receiving one of his instruments.

Jesus builds in his own way, influenced by his father of course, but definitely with his own personality. His guitars evoke a sense of drama and emotion, and are constructed using the excellent wood ‘library’ that the Bellido’s are fortunate enough to possess.

Through the years I have owned several Bellido guitars myself, and if you try one, you will immediately appreciate why.

German Vazquez Rubio, or GV Rubio as he sometimes called, is one of the most humble and delightful builders I know. I have had the pleasure of offering his guitars to my clients for many years now, and I have always felt that his instruments were easily worth far more than they actually cost, competing very effectively with guitars often piced much higher. I trust German’s skills so much that when I have needed restoration work performed on a fine old Hauser, or a magnificent Fleta, I feel completely confident in sending these guitars to German for that purpose, and have done so many times.

German has been building in Los Angeles for as long as I have known him. I love his “Hauser” model, but he also makes other fine models, and great Flamenco guitars as well. Several well known artists have performed and recorded playing a Rubio concert guitar.

German’s guitars are beautifully constructed, and his French Polish is really as good as it gets. They have characteristics that easily promote concert level playing and professional recording being well balanced, with good separation, and always comfortable to play. They offer a colorful and expressive palate for the artist.

German has a wait of well over a year usually, and I try to provide a steady offering of his fine instruments by keeping a ‘standing order’ with him for that purpose. Over the years I have lost count of how many of German’s guitars I have placed with appreciative clients. I have noted that many buy one thinking that one day they will sell it and buy an expensive concert guitar, only to discover over time, that their Rubio completely satisfies them and that day never comes. Fine guitars by a fine builder here in the USA.

Alhambra guitars are made in Spain and I have always felt that they are the very best guitars in their range. I have sold them for more than a decade now, and my clients are always pleased with the superb combination of price and quality. Although modern technology is incorporated into their production methods, all their guitars are still built primarily in the traditional Spanish manner. If you are interested in a well priced guitar that has the sound and feel of a much more expensive instrument, Alhambra guitars should be at the top of your list. I am always impressed with the guitars they send me, the quality is excellent, the tone is wonderful, and they play easily too. Really impossible to find anything better in this price range in my opinion.

The Vicente Arbolado label is one that I use when I have guitars made to my specifications for exclusive sale in my shop. The guitars currently carrying the Vicente Arbolado label were built for me by Cashimira guitars in Spain.  I selected Cashimira, as I do from time-to-time with other builders, because I was impressed with their quality and sound.  Because I purchase a quantity of guitars at once I can pass along the saving to my clients, and in most cases you will find the VA model will therefore be less than the Cashimira model, which is exactly the same. For ease of comparison I included the usual Cashimira number for each guitar along side of the model names that I use. Great guitars in their price range. In the future I may use Cashimira, or other builders that I approve, to provide additional Vicente Arbolado guitars, always striving to bring you the best combination of quality and value.