2012 Felipe Conde "CE 2" SP/CO

The "CE-2" is part of his classical guitar line, and a notable upgrade over the "CE-4" model, complete with an eye-catching set of solid cocobolo for the back and sites. It has all the necessary power, tonal palette and playability for concert use or studio recording. This is a spruce top, so it also has great separation and clarity between voices and a rich, full sound at the same time. The neck is re-enforced with an ebony strip which (apart from added structural stability) improves sustain. Players will also be happy to know that there is an added 20th fret from higher reaches found in some of the more challenging repertoire. Aesthetically, it features some very charming details, the head shape and rosette are styled after designs found in the work of Domingo Esteso, Felipe Conde's great uncle. Overall, a solid instrument at this price point. The reason for the discounted price - there are a few (now invisible) hairline cracks that were recently repaired by Yuris Zeltins in San Diego.Felipe Conde in Iberia Magazine

Conde Hermanos guitars have been the industry standard for Spanish flamencos for many decades now. Conde has been the guitar of choice for the vast number of great players for many generations from Nino Ricardo and Melchor de Marchena to Paco de Lucia (who has recorded and concertized for nearly his entire career on Conde), Moraito, Gerardo Nunez, Canizares, Rafael Riqueni and the present generation's Diego del Morao and many others. Click here to see a small sampling of such performances. They are famously known for a dry, "woody" and very firm tone, capable of retaining clarity and punch even when driven to the extreme limits of speed - whether in picado, tremolo or rasguedo techniques - these guitars can hold up and deliver a reliable and consistent quality of tone. Felipe Conde has been building these guitars for almost 40 years - first with his father and uncle and later with his brother. Now Felipe has established his his own workshop, and GSI is proud to be the exclusive US dealer for his guitars.