Alberto Hernandez, is the son of Juan Hernandez, one of the founders of Esteve Guitars. Alberto entered the Esteve workshop as an apprentice when he was 15, eventually becoming an “official” (certified guitar maker). Currently, he is the production manager at Esteve, and personally makes their Juan Hernandez deluxe models, which now bear his signature.  I recently sat down with Alberto, and as an old flamenco player described my ideal flamenco guitar— something with the soul, character and power of a Santos Hernandez, or Marcelo Barbero, or Manuel Reyes, or an Arcangel Fernandez— a responsive instrument with a low action and fast attack. A guitar that has solid basses, trebles that sing even in the highest registers— that has a great bark and rasp, with both brightness and clarity to be heard over dancers, and the depth of tone required to accompany singers. Alberto pretty much nailed it.

Alberto is building this Sevilliana model exclusively for us. This is not a production model, but one built made by Alberto using master grade woods and materials. The quality of this guitar is evident when you pick it up, not just visible in its craftsmanship, or in a myriad of other details like its tight grained, perfectly quarter saw spruce top, and quality machines, but also most importantly its true flamenco soul.