Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model

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Ghodaddyyo

Posts: 26
Joined: Aug. 2 2016
From: Huntington Beach, CA

Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model

Hello everyone,

I found a classified listing for a Valeriano Bernal Gitano model from 2003 that looks promising. I know Bernal has a good reputation here, but this particular model hasn't really been discussed too much. How does this model rate among the other Bernal offerings? What is a good offer if in good condition?

Thank you,

John

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 7 2016 19:00:44

anouhouwa

Posts: 5
Joined: Feb. 22 2017

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Ghodaddyyo)

Hello

Bernal is a factory in Cadiz. A friend of mine bought a high model. There was an excess of laquer (polyester apparently) the wood was not dry, and finally because of that, the interior foot of the heel has splitted with a quite big crack, over all the wood was noy cut the right way. It was impossible to see the junction of the neck heel to the body, the excess of laquer (opaque) was hidding it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2017 7:47:38

RobJe

Posts: 731
Joined: Dec. 16 2006
From: UK

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Ghodaddyyo)

You need opinions about guitars made in this period and not about those currently made by his son.

There is a nice bit of history of the model name recounted by Pimientito here.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=107001&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=&tmode=&smode=&s=#107001

The workshop was/is? in Algodonales in the province of Cadiz.

Rob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2017 12:09:42

otirroz

Posts: 21
Joined: Jan. 10 2016
From: Vina del Mar, Chile via San Francisco, CA

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Ghodaddyyo)

There are two Bernal guitar makers in Cadiz: Valeriano Bernal and Antonio Bernal. As I understand it, they are not related. My experience with both is that the guitars made in the family-run factory in Algodonales (Valeriano) are superior to those produced for and by Antonio Bernal. Just my observations.

P de V

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2017 13:23:22

VAHE

Posts: 82
Joined: Sep. 25 2014

[Deleted]

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Feb. 24 2017 4:13:18

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2017 3:46:49

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Ghodaddyyo)

I have had many Bernal (Algodonales) guitars in my hands.
In general its an ok flamenco guitar and in general better than the typical Valencia factory guitar (Alhambra, Esteve etc.), but they do have this factory thing about them.. Consistancy is poor. This also means that a high priced model can be inferior to a low priced model and visa versa. Buying a factory guitar on the internet is a bit of a hit or miss thing. The good ones can be nice though
Good luck.

_____________________________

Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2017 6:53:32

Morante

Posts: 2179
Joined: Nov. 21 2010

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to otirroz)

quote:

There are two Bernal guitar makers in Cadiz: Valeriano Bernal and Antonio Bernal. As I understand it, they are not related.

This is not so. Valeriano has retired. His workshop has been taken over by his son, Rafa, whose personal guitars are among the best and might cost 800,000 euros. Keko Baldomero plays one. The factory guitars continue and a good one can be very good.

The other good luthier in Algodonales is Jerónimo Perez.

Antonio has family relations but is not from this lineage. The guitars he sells are mediocre. He has a shop in Cádiz, which is seldom open.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2017 15:42:28

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Morante)

800,000 euros? All you'd need to do is make three or four and retire.

_____________________________

John Shelton - www.sheltonfarrettaguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 25 2017 15:05:51

Morante

Posts: 2179
Joined: Nov. 21 2010

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to jshelton5040)

quote:

800,000 euros? All you'd need to do is make three or four and retire.

That´s what Conde Hermanos did

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 25 2017 16:53:28

joselito_fletan

Posts: 187
Joined: Jan. 24 2017

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Ghodaddyyo)

I had a chance to visit the "herederos de valeriano bernal" shop in Algodonales this season, went with a couple of friends to check out guitars and see what they had available.
Chari, who takes care of the front of the house is very nice, let us try all the guitars that we wished and had a good laugh doing it, she has a wicked sense of humor. When we ran out of models, Rafael was nice enough to bring more guitars from the shop.

My friends ended up buying 2 models, Al Alba and Gitano both 50th anniversary.
Below are some pics of the Gitano model. Made with Rosewood and Cedar. There was a gitano cypress model that was just a step above the rest in comfort and ease if play, but my friends were set on rosewood guitars since they already own cypress ones.

Cheers all! below are some pics

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (4)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 22 2020 10:47:46

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to joselito_fletan)

Thankfully it is 110 kilometers from my house. I mean thanks Joselito for sharing the fotos but please don't post such temptations. I note you resisted!!! If I went I know I'd spend a fortune that I can't afford.

But this morning I've been playing my 20 year old Bernal and it is so easy and lovely to play

Cheers

_____________________________

nigel (el raton de Watford - now Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 22 2020 11:57:40

joselito_fletan

Posts: 187
Joined: Jan. 24 2017

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to flyeogh)

quote:

I note you resisted!!! If I went I know I'd spend a fortune that I can't afford.

Yes! what kept me holding back is that my whole life is on standby, so I will keep waiting, Would like to visit Jeronimo Perez next time around.

Thanks flyogh, damn!! I did not know you are in El Puerto!!! next time we should meet! I am hoping to come back for next winter.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 22 2020 16:09:38

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to joselito_fletan)

quote:

Thanks flyogh, damn!! I did not know you are in El Puerto!!! next time we should meet! I am hoping to come back for next winter.

Joselito I'll look forward to it. Hopefully the boats (I'm a sucker for boats) will be running again by then and hopping over to Rota, having a beer, and chatting guitars sounds just about perfect. In the meantime good luck with your travels.

_____________________________

nigel (el raton de Watford - now Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 22 2020 17:15:44

makanakijones

Posts: 14
Joined: Sep. 14 2019

RE: Valeriano Bernal Gitano Model (in reply to Ghodaddyyo)

The best Valeriano's are the cheapest. Expensive Valeriano's are very heavy and didn't sound well, but the cheapest ones are very good performers.

Jeronimo Perez is in other league, being a young artisan He is one of the best guitar makers in Spain.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 22 2020 20:10:13