Flamenco Guitarist and Composer, Luis Gallo, Records His Compositions and Works by Paco de Lucía.

Spanish flamenco guitarist and composer, Luis Gallo, recently stopped by for his second recording session at GSI. Luis is from Madrid, Spain. He has a background in flamenco and jazz guitar, which has given him experience in working with musicians from many different musical genres.

During his recent visit to our showroom, Luis focused on recording his compositions and works by the flamenco guitar legend, Paco de Lucía. 

Luis' recording session started with his piece titled "Tritoneando". Luis decided to record it on a 2000 Jose Marin Plazuelo SP/CY flamenco guitar. Jose Marin Plazuelo (the nephew of Antonio Marin Montero) is one of our favorites, and one of the most consistent, guitar makers from southern Spain.

Next, Luis recorded his piece "Alegrías" on a 1996 Conde Hermanos "AF 25" flamenco guitar made with spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. This Conde Hermanos flamenco model is a "negra" which of course was popularized by Paco de Lucía after he began playing and recording on one in 1969. Conde guitars 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.

In the third video, Luis performs his "Vals Por Bulerías". For his third composition, Luis chose a cedar top flamenco - 2004 Jose Ramirez "1aF 656" CD/CY. This model is a top-of-the-line flamenco that is suitable for both performances on a concert stage and traditional flamenco playing with dancers and percussionists. It is a lively instrument with excellent playability and volume; it has an authentic Spanish sound with a lot of bite.

In the final two videos, Luis performed compositions by Paco de Lucía. For "Callejón del Muro" he picked a 2018 Felipe Conde "Pepe Habichuela" SP/CY - this true flamenco guitar is an exact replica of the favorite guitar of the legendary maestro, Pepe Habichuela. The original dates from 1986 and all details of the original have been meticulously replicated with the exception of the original wooden tuning pegs. For Paco de Lucía's second piece, "Guajiras de Lucía", Luis chose a guitar made here in California - a 2022 German Vazquez Rubio "Concert Blanca 640" SP/CY. This instrument has a sound that is extremely responsive and open, with plenty of volume and character. The trebles are very clear and easy to work with, and the basses are steady and full.

We're happy to feature Luis' flamenco videos on our channel and we hope to record more in the future! Check out the videos below.