Antonio Hernandis Grade Grand Concert

After reading more articles on line, I would like to withdraw my two reviews on Hernandis Grand Concert Classical Guitar. I and the other fellow reviewer might have confused the "Hernandis" Guitars with "Antonio Hernandis" Guitars. I apologize if I made the mistake. Regardless, I still feel my Hernandis Grand Concert classical guitar is a well made and good sounding musical instrument.

1974 Hernandis Grand Concert from the House of Sherry-Brener, Madrid.

Although I know it to have been made in Japan in an early experiment under the supervision of a Ramirez luthier, it declares on the label that is made in Madrid. The story of John Sherry saving warehouses full of South American (Brazilian) rosewood for years and then having such a craftsman make the guitar(s) of Sherry-Brener is documented in the trades at the time, around 81-82. Wish I had kept the article.
Tuners are Parkerized and tight, even too tight. Ebony fingerboard, rosewood sides and back, well done. Frets a little uneven but easily adjusted. Magnificent bridge and nut.

Deep bass sound and rich tone with a good set of strings. Action is a little heavy at the high notes (8 - 12 frets). And tuning loses its evenness -- 5th on 1st string not quite the same as 2nd at 10 (A.)

With use, this problem settles.

Bass sound not quite the sound of a Ramirez or some other high end Spanish concert guitars.

Action high at the upper notes.

Excellent bridge and nut. Pegs are tight.

Plays live very well. Using PA, some feedback due to high sonority.

Quite solid and dependable. PLayed live and held up quite well.

Never had to deal with the company.

Have several other guitars, electric and otherwise. Have a Ramirez and several guitars made in Spain.

It's my second favorite guitar next to the Ramirez. Wish the frets would have lasted longer but I really played the heck out of it.

(This is to update my last review. Sherry-Brener has returned my e-mail and answered my questions)

According to the label inside, my Hernandis Grand Concert was made in February 1974. The Certificate of Origins on the label spicified:

Soundboard (Spanish Pine) Spain
Back and Sides (Rosewood) Brazil
Fingerboard (Granadillo) Neck (Cedar) Africa
Rosettl (Inlaid wood marquetry) Persia
Final assembly & all parts finished Japan

It has solid Spanish Pine top, and solid Brazilian wood back/sides. I bough this guitar from an ad in early 1990. From the price list (1981-82)the seller gave me, the Grand Concert model was the top of the Hernandis classical guitar line.

The prices (1981-82) were:

Grand Concert Guitar: $1245.00
Concert Guitar No.1A $1045.00
Concert Guitar No.1 $ 750.00
Concert Guitar No.2 $ 600.00

Sherry-Brener confirmed that this was the top of the line for Hernandis line and all Herdandis guitars were assambled in Japan by a maker that worked in the Ramirez shop for years.

They have sold out the Grand Concert model and said this guitar would have been priced at $6.500. They still have other models in stock. The current pricing on their website are:

Grand Concert Guitar: $6500.00 (Sold out)
Concert Guitar No. 1A $6000.00
Concert Guitar No. 1 $5500.00
Concert Guitar No. 2 $4975.00

It sounds beautiful with very good projection. Compared to my other classical guitar (Yairi CY117), it has brighter, warmer and fuller sound. I feel the solid back & sides (Brazilian Rosewood) help to improve the sound quality (CY117 has laminated rosewood sides & back) I rate sound quality of my CY117 "8" compared to "10" here

It is quite easy to play. Action is a little higher than my CY117, but it could be the ex-owner's preference. But it does not bother me at all. Finish is beautiful. My only complaint is that the guitar gets out of tune easier than my other guitars even CY 117. I have to retune it quite often.

There was a very minor crack on the back of the neck but does not effect the sound nor playing. The damage might be the result of accident or mishandling by ex-owner. It does look like it was weather related. The soundboard, back & sides wood have no cracks or checking. It looks pretty good for a 30 years old guitar.

Since I bough it used, I never contacted the dealer (Sherry-Brener) until recently to verify some questions. I have received their replies after a few days. All my questions were answered.

I have been playing acoustic guitars for over 30 years, not really a classical guitar player but own two classical guitars (Yairi CY117 & Hernandis Grand Concert).

The other guitars I own are; Guild Artist Award electric archtop, Martin D-42, Larrivee C78 Presentation (Unicorn Headstock), Taylor 812C, Yairi DY51 and two baby Taylors (both rosewood & mahogany)

This classical guitar was purchased from an Ad about 10 years ago. At that time, I did not know much about Hernandis Guitars except saw a very high list price on Guitar?s Friend catalog. ($4000, but I paid much less) Also, the feature of solid Brazilian rosewood sides and back attracted me. After direct comparison to my Yairi classical guitar (CY117), I found it has brighter and fuller sounds. I decided to purchase it. Case was included. (regular hard shell case with plush inside)

According to the label inside, my Hernandis Grand Concert was made in February 1974. The Certificate of Origins on the label spicified:

Soundboard (Spanish Pine) Spain
Back and Sides (Rosewood) Brazil
Fingerboard (Granadillo) Neck (Cedar) Africa
Rosettl (Inlaid wood marquetry) Persia
Final assembly & all parts finished Japan

It has solid top, and solid back & sides. I bough this used guitar from an ad in early 1990. From the price list (1981-82)which the seller gave me, the Grand Concert model was the top of the Hernandis classical guitar line. The prices (1981-82) were:

Grand Concert Guitar: $1245.00
Concert Guitar No. 1A $1045.00
Concert Guitar No. 1 $ 750.00
Concert Guitar No. 2 $ 600.00

I could not find this model on Sherry-Brener's website and presume that this model is no longer available. I heard someone is asking for a few thousands dollar for his Hernandis Concert No. 1. If it is true, Grand Concert Grade should worth a lot more.

It sounds beautifully with very good projection. Compared to my other classical guitar (Yairi CY117), it has brighter and warmer sound. I feel the solid back & sides (Brazilian Rosewood)help to improve the sound quality (CY117 has laminated rosewood sides & back)
I rate my CY117 "8" compared to "10" here

It is quite easy to play. Action is a little higher than my CY117, but it could be the way ex-owner's preference. Finish is beautiful. My only complaint is that the guitar gets out of tune easier than my CY 117. I have to re tune every few weeks.

There was a very minor crack on the back of the neck but does not effect the sound nor playing. The damage might be the result of accident or mishandling. The soundboard, back & sides have no cracks or checking. It looks pretty good for a 30 years old guitar.

Since I bough it used, I never contacted the dealer (Sherry-Brener)until recently to verify some questions with them. I have not received their replies yet.

I have been playing acoustic guitars for over 30 years. I am not really a classical guitar player but do own two classical guitars (Yairi CY117 & Hernandis Grand Concert). The other guitars I own are; Guild Artist Award electric archtop, Martin D-42, Larrivee Presentation (Unicorn Headstock), Taylor 812C, Yairi DY51 and two baby Taylors (both rosewood & mahogany)

This classical guitar was purchased from an Ad about 10 years ago. At that time, I did not know much about Hernandis Guitars except saw a very high list price on Guitar?s friend catalog. Also, the feature of solid Brazilian rosewood sides and back attracted me. After direct comparison to my Yairi classical guitar (CY117), I found it has brighter and fuller sounds. I decided to purchase it. I probably won?t replace with the same guitar because the high price and unfavorable resale value. (Hopefully, it will improve after more people know about this brand)