Description
Hernandis Spanish Classical Guitar — 1973 (Grade A1)
Valencia, Spain — Premium Sherry Brenner Import Traditional Spanish Construction — Mosaic Rosette — Indian Rosewood
Overview
This 1973 Hernandis Spanish Classical Guitar is a Grade A1 model from the later period of Sherry Brenner’s premium Spanish imports. Built in Valencia, Spain, it belongs to the same family of Spanish workshop guitars as the earlier Grade A models, retaining the traditional construction methods, solid tonewoods, and hand-laid decorative work that define authentic Spanish craftsmanship.
The 1973 example features solid Indian rosewood, Spanish pine top, Spanish cedar neck, and the classic Valencia mosaic rosette, offering a warm, lyrical tone and excellent projection. It is a structurally identical instrument to the Grade A models, with cosmetic updates typical of the 1972–1974 period.
Specifications
- Top: Solid Spanish Pine (Mediterranean Spruce)
- Back & Sides: Solid Indian Rosewood
- Neck: Spanish Cedar
- Fingerboard: Rosewood (late-period Grade A1 specification)
- Scale Length: 655 mm
- Nut Width: 50 mm
- Binding: Hand-laid wood purfling with mosaic accents
- Rosette: Valencia-style hand-laid mosaic tiles
- Tuners: Nickel-plated engraved plates (period-correct for 1972–1974)
- Finish: Thin Spanish nitrocellulose
- Condition: Excellent vintage condition
Construction & Craftsmanship
Spanish Heel
The guitar uses the traditional Spanish heel, carved by hand and integrated into the body — a defining feature of authentic Spanish workshop guitars and a key structural indicator of Spanish origin.
Mosaic Rosette
The rosette is composed of individual mosaic tiles, not printed rings. This craftsmanship is characteristic of Valencia workshops and confirms the guitar’s Spanish build.
Solid Indian Rosewood
The back and sides show the grain continuity and pore structure of solid Indian rosewood, not laminated construction. This tonewood provides warmth, depth, and sustain.
Spanish Pine Top
Mediterranean spruce (often called “Spanish pine”) gives the guitar a quick, lively response and a warm, traditional Spanish voice.
Nickel Tuners
By 1972–1974, many Valencia workshops supplying Brenner transitioned from gold-plated tuners to nickel-plated engraved plates. These tuners are original and correct for the Grade A1 designation.
Grade A vs Grade A1 — Cosmetic Differences Only
The Grade A1 designation introduced around 1972 did not indicate a lower-quality guitar. Instead, it reflected:
- Nickel tuners instead of gold
- Occasional switch from Granadillo to rosewood fingerboards
- Slightly simplified binding and rosette patterns
- Same tonewoods, same bracing, same Spanish construction
Structurally and tonally, the Grade A1 is identical to the Grade A.
Authenticity & Origin
This 1973 Hernandis is 100% Spanish-built. It is not part of the Japanese factory line (Kasuga/Terada) that Brenner imported for student models.
Key Spanish indicators:
- Hand-laid mosaic rosette
- Solid rosewood back and sides
- Spanish cedar neck
- Spanish heel construction
- Thin nitro finish
- Valencia-style binding
These features never appear on the Japanese Hernandis guitars.
Tone & Playability
The 1973 Spanish Hernandis offers:
- Warm, rounded bass
- Clear, singing trebles
- Fast response from the spruce top
- Traditional Spanish voice with excellent projection
- Comfortable 50 mm nut and classic 655 mm scale
These guitars compare favourably to mid-tier José Ramirez workshop instruments of the same era.
Historical Clarification
During the early 1970s, Sherry Brenner imported two distinct Hernandis lines:
- Spanish-built Grade A / Grade A1 / Concert models
- Japanese-built student and mid-tier models
Because both lines carried the same brand name, some confusion arose over the years. Modern research clearly distinguishes the two:
- The Spanish models feature solid tonewoods, mosaic rosettes, Spanish cedar necks, Spanish heel construction, and thin nitro finishes.
- The Japanese models used laminated backs, printed rosettes, and factory-style construction.
This 1973 Grade A1 is a true Spanish workshop guitar, built to a higher standard than the Japanese student models.
The 1973 example is slightly less ornate than the 1970 Grade A but structurally identical and highly desirable.
Summary
A Spanish-built 1973 Hernandis Grade A1 is a high-quality Valencia workshop guitar featuring solid tonewoods, hand-laid mosaic work, and traditional Spanish construction. With excellent tone, authentic craftsmanship, and strong collector interest, it stands as a fine example of Sherry Brenner’s premium Spanish imports.
