I am very very excited to announce the introduction of this totally new concept and model from one of the world's best builders, Paulino Bernabe. Paulino visited me here in the USA recently and he described to me a new model, which he planned to call the "Original". At this time Paulino has decided he will build only three models, the Royal, the Imperial, and the Original. It is my understanding the Original will take the place of the Concierto/Especial models that he formerly built. Paulino explained to me that his goal was to build the ultimate 'players guitar' and to keep it in the more affordable range for a guitar of this quality at the same time. He went on to explain that he had developed this guitar based on his years of experience and that it was designed to be a very 'open' guitar with a beautiful voice, excellent playability and concert quality volume. The sides would be doubled, but the back and top would be joined in a very unique manner that would allow for unparalleled movement and resonance while at the same time providing a very sturdily constructed instrument. In addition, he drew a picture showing how he joined the sides to the top and back in this new system, and that he created a special 'rolled edge' or 'external purfling' to join the edges on the top and back that added strength while facilitating maximum resonance of the back and top. The external purfling would in fact have a gap as it and the soundboard as it wraps around the guitar and this would also create in effect a mini 'arm rest' helping to keep the forearm from dampening the resonant top as you played. I must admit, between Paulino's English, and my Spanish we were a pair trying to understand the nuances of Paulino's new design. However,the very first "Original" just arrived and after I played it I was able to see and hear what Paulino was describing. His concept works beautifully. The entire guitar is actively engaged in producing sound, back and top resonating easily to create a very open and full sound, it reminds me of the way Dammann's engage every aspect of the guitar to produce sound. The new Spruce sounds amazingly 'open' and vibrant, like a fine vintage guitar that has already been well played in, just open, active, vibrant, alive- absolutely gorgeous tone, far beyond what I anticipated, and I expected a lot. The rounded edge created by the external purfling is comfortable and it does indeed act as a 'mini arm rest' in helping to keep your forearm from overly dampening the sound board. Craftsmanship is at the expected Bernabe level, just everything about this guitar is so highly pleasing that it completely surpassed every expectation that I had when Paulino first described it to me. He really has created something unique and wonderful. Volume is superior, the action is effortless, the tone is so very rewarding, I can't heap enough superlatives on this guitar. Highly impressed. Please call me and I'll try to explain more.

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