Domingo Esteso

Domingo Esteso (1882–1937) – Maestro Luthier

Domingo Esteso stands as a cornerstone figure in the annals of Spanish guitar craftsmanship. His journey began as an apprentice in the workshop of Manuel Ramírez, and upon Ramírez’s passing, he continued his craft under his widow, eventually affixing his name to the label alongside his mentor’s.

Within the workshop, he collaborated with Santos Hernández and Enrique García, all three of them emerging as distinguished successors to the legacy of Manuel Ramírez.

Guitars crafted during this era possess enduring qualities that set them apart, whether in their meticulous artistry or their distinctive tonal attributes.

Domingo Esteso later ventured forth independently, setting up shop alongside his wife, Nicolasa Salamanca, who expertly adorned the guitars with their lacquer finish, on Gavina Street No. 7. This period marked his most prolific phase, yielding instruments of exceptional beauty and impeccable craftsmanship, some of which have serendipitously survived to grace the hands of those who recognize and cherish their status as true artistic masterpieces.

Many of these guitars found homes beyond the borders of Spain, notably in Argentina (a label was created for the Romero y Fernández house in Buenos Aires). Economic constraints in Spain at the time led to a higher proportion of sales abroad, despite the guitars’ premium value.

In 1926, his nephew and my uncle, Faustino Conde, entered the workshop, followed by my father, Mariano Conde, in 1929. This union served as the fertile soil from which the next evolution of the legacy was nurtured.

Under the tutelage of Domingo Esteso, they imbibed his technique and mastery in the art of Spanish guitar making. They remained with him until his passing in 1937, amidst the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War. An unfortunate respiratory ailment, exacerbated by drafts in the workshop and the absence of penicillin, claimed his life. Production continued, albeit on a limited scale due to the tumultuous wartime environment, until 1939.