This is one of those really special Imperials that you feel lucky to experience. I visited Paulino Sr. the year he worked on this guitar, and sadly he passed away the following year, my hunch is this is one of the last few guitars he worked on. I always loved the Bernabe Imperial as I felt it provided 80% of what the "Royal" provided for about 50% of the cost. Paulino used some very old aged European Spruce on this guitar, and a gorgeous set of flame maple for the back and sides. Like all imperials he used his modified fan braced concept and double the sides. The guitar has no cracks or repairs that I can find, and has some light but unobjectionable playing wear on the top, but all in all in supreme condition really. It also comes with a nice white Karura carbon fiber case like the ones Greg Smallman uses for all his instruments. The case alone sells for almost $1300 so this Imperial happens to be extremely well priced in my opinion.

The sound is pure Bernabe through and through, that character that earned so many Bernabe fans over so many years in so many countries. Of course it has nice volume, and a very quintessential "Spanish" voice, but the double sides along with the Imperial modified fan bracing give the guitar a bolder volume. What I love about this guitar is that little something 'unexpected' and delightfully special that a well built Maple guitar can have. She has a liquid and slightly exotic voice which shimmers in a subtle but lovely way as only a fine Maple guitar does. Very even, very clear, and with a sweet voice and nice sustain, she plays comfortably too.

If you are a Bernabe fan, you would find this guitar enchanting.

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