Antonio Hernandis Grade 1 Classical

Great sound!

Nice Tone and plenty of bass.

action is normal, finish is very nice and detailed.

very reliable, tuning is stable, does fluctuate with temperatures which is normal.

A great value for under 1000.00 USD. This is not a high end classical, but a great intermediate.

Most of the reviews here are not for Antonio Hernandis guitars. There are for factory made Japanese imports commissioned by Sherry Brenner of Chicago and sold for $175. new. Take take these too seriously.Sebd an email if you need more information.

I am pro with many gold/platinum credits.

Year: 1972 Origin: Spain-Persia-India-Africa-Final Assembly, Japan.
Frets: 19
Top: Spanish Pine
Back & Sides: Black Palosanto
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck: Spanish Cedar
Frets: Nickle silver
Bridge & bindings: Granadillo
Rosette: Persian Maquetry
Machine Head: Gold Engraved Ivory, Toned Mylar knobes and handles
Finish: Spanish varnish, gold shaded
Inner fan bracing: Hand set & Tuned
Year: From 1970 to 1980
Price: $5.500.00

Sound: Very Powerful Bass and Crisp Trebles. Excellent Variances and nuances from this Particular guitar. Guitars are all different. They may look similar, but the sound is different. Strings play a role in this also, depending on Brand and Tension.

Neck angle is perfect, no movement all this time,i doubt any movement will occur as long as it is properly cared for. No flaws, Excellent quality Wood Species and cut. Bookmatched front and back absolutley beautiful. Handmade perfection at its finest. Lots of Color in the Hand Inlaid Wood marqetry from Persia. Finish is very glossy and durable.

No problems yet and do not expect any.

Sherry-Brenner can be contacted to this day and will answer questions about this line of guitar.

Playing 30 years and have found THEE guitar-Good luck to all searching for the right one, it is difficult with so many Brands, etc. Each one is as different as an individual.

1970 Hernandis Grade No. 1A
Places of origin has one difference from another listed here. Label inside says:
Sound Board -- Spain
Neck --- Honduras
Back, sides, fingerboard --- India
Rosette and inlays --- Persia
Final assembly of all parts and finishing --- Japan
Antigua Casa Sherry Brenner Ltd of Madrid
There is a number on the block up under where neck meets body: 14610

Projects well; has been used in a modest-sized gym, slightly miked, and heard well. Records very nicely; very even sound from low to high. Sometimes maybe I would like a bit more bass as I play, but when I hear a recording of it, I am satisfied.

It is a lovely-looking instrument. I sometimes wish the face were a bit lighter; in fact I have wondered if it was perhaps over-lacquered, but have never been brave enough to have a luthier strip it down. I think it might be brighter that way and project even more.
It is pretty nice to play, set up high enough so I can push it pretty hard and get volume but not get buzzes. The only Ramirez I ever played felt like a truck! but I suppose the sound was greater.

The finish has been fine. I was told at one time to not put any polishes or such on, as it would dull the sound; just wipe it off with a soft cloth. It has worked for me.
I saw some complaints about tuning machines, I think, but I have had no problem.

N/A

I purchased the guitar new in 1973, I think, so have had it for 33 years! I am amazed to see what new ones cost! If anything happened to mine, I don't think I could afford to replace it.
I also own and use in other settings a Takemine ECG135 (I think; it's an electric classical with a single cutaway and a 3-band equalizer, bought in 1988; I like it very much also).
I have played about 40 years now. I am a school music teacher, trombone player actually, but guitar is a close second.
When I bought it, I thought it was the next step before a Ramirez, and they cost about $1500 at the time, I think.
Anyone looking at guitars of this caliber probably knows already, but if you are shopping, take along a knowledgeable person to listen while you play. I did, and I have been pretty satisfied for a long time.
Once I saw one of these in a pawn shop; someone had put a pin in the end for a neck strap and they wanted $100 or so for it! I Wish I had bought it and nursed it back to health.

Hernadis Grade 1A
Year: 1973
Sound Board: Spanish Pine
Bach & Sides: Rosewood
FingerBoard: Granadillo
Neck: Cedar
Assembled:Japan

Full. Warm. Soulfull. The back row will hear all. Beautiful.

A Ferrari. I can do anything I want. I have not found a limit to this instruments ability.

Tuners are low quality. Get some Roger's tuning machines.

I have a 1973 Hernandis Grade 1a classical. I feel that previous review given of this instrument is right on the money. Word for word. This is truely a beautiful instrument. I love this guitar. It has a soul. I purchased my Hernandis new is 1993 from Sherry-Brener Chicago. I paid $4500.00. I am very satisfied. Except for the tuners. They suck. Also may I suggest using "Arabesque concert guitar strings" brand strings. I have tried every brand of srting I could find. Nothing compares to the Arabesque. They will last forever. At least compared to other brands. The second best string I have found for this particular guitar are Savarez-Blues. Unfortuantely these strings are only avaialbe, to best of my knowledge, through Sherry-Brener. I do disagree with the opinoin that this guitar is over priced at $5000. I have been playing for 20 years, I have played some very respectable high-end ($25k+) guitars; Ramerez, Hauser, ect. I feel that my guitar holds its own. Especially for the price. Regardless of my opinions I would never consider selling my Hernandis for less then $10k. This may sound ridiculous but a week ago I played a $5000 Ramerez at Guitar Center that sounded like a shoebox with strings. (Guitars and assembly lines do not mix.)

This Hernandis Grade 1 is a 1972 concert class classical guitar, made between Spain and Japan. Handmade with a Spanish Pine solid wood top and solid Indian Rosewood back and sides. Cedar neck and matching wood Marquety Rosette and inlays on the head. I believe others, of the same model have been made with differing woods depending on customers needs.
One of the better things about this guitar (and this may sound simple to somebody not used to playing Spanish made classical guitars) it is great to pick one up, slide your hand vigerously up and down the neck and not catch skin on the frets. This guitar is beautifully made, it looks stunning, and the sound is what you pay the money for. A stunning looking guitar. The only quibble I have with it is the tuners, while they look nice and hold tune well,(I don't know what model/make they are) they are geared a little high. It feels like you are tightning too much when adjusting them, but I've had the guitar for a while now and have gotten used to it.

The sound is what you spend the money for when you buy a classical guitar. This is a concert class hand made instrument, so the sound is what you expect. Robust and it projects well, which it has to, it has to fill a concert hall. The basses are amazingly deep, possibly a function of it's age (over 30 years). There is no need with this guitar to work at getting the sound out to the back of the room/hall, it comes naturally with normal play. There are no dead frets, the sound is clear, from the bass through the middle tones up to the trebles. Really bright but with these great basses.

As to the action, this is where a performance classical guitar falls down. To get the volume, it is expected that the player will work the guitar hard, so the action is left high. This guitar is approx 5/6mm at the 12th fret. A little high but I'm used to it.
The finish is stunning, hand applied French polish (Spanish Vanish?) and looks drop dead gorgous. The top is Spanish Pine but looks darker, like Cedar. Anyway, it's a beauty.

This was built for concert playing so I have no doubt it will stand up to working for a living. But that said, this is a classical guitar and should be treated well.

After 30 years? There is no warranty and I don't expect any support. The good thing, these were made to last forever. It's got another 30 years in it. So, as far as I'm concerned the company did a good job.

Been playing guitar for nearly twenty years, mostly classical. Had a variety of different guitars from a Takimine C132S (liked that and still have it) a Ramirez R4 (a bit dissapointed and finally sold it) and now this. What do I love about it? The good looks and the sound!!! When I play, people stop and listen, hard to put a price on that.
It it was lost or stolen I'd look around for another. But the price is a bit off putting, I didn't pay $5,000 the first price mentioned, but I paid more than I had hoped.