Conde Hermanos – 1961 Flamenca Blanca

Description

Domingo Esteso Lopez was born in San Clemente in 1882. He was one of the most important luthiers of the early 20th century. In the 1890′s, he began his apprenticeship at the workshop of Manuel Ramirez in Madrid. There, he worked along with Modesto Borreguero, Santos Hernandez, etc. The year following Manuel Ramirez’ death (1864 – 1916) he worked for M. Ramirez’ widow. In 1917, Domingo Esteso opened his own workshop in the Calle Gravina in Madrid. In 1926, his nephew Faustino Conde joined the workshop, followed three years later by his brother Mariano Conde and eventually Julio Conde. When Domingo Esteso died in 1937, the three brothers kept building under the name „Vda y Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso“.
The additional name “Conde Hermanos” on the label stands for the three brothers Mariano, Faustino and Julio Conde. The greatest flamenco guitarists played their guitar, and the Conde Hermanos name is famous worldwide. Paco de Lucia, was very close to the Conde family and played almost exclusively on Conde Hermanos instruments from the 70s onwards.
This 1961 guitar is very interesting. It has a Domingo Esteso-style head, very typical of the legendary luthiers from Madrid such as Manuel Ramirez and Santos Hernandez. This beautiful guitar has an extraordinary charisma. Three repaired cracks are visible on the soundboard: one at the central joint and one on each side of the ebony fingerboard. A small reinforcement bar has been added inside at the fan bracing at the central joint. Three small repaired cracks are also visible on the back. This guitar is in perfect playing condition and wears the original engraved Fustero tuners.
This flamenco instrument is very light with a typical Spanish sound. The response of the sound is immediate with a powerful and warm timbre. It is both percussive and very melodious, perfectly adapted to flamenco playing. It is therefore a superb vintage guitar with an impressive sound and an important history.