María Conde is a Madrid flamenco guitar maker and, with her brother Felipe Conde Crespo (Felipe Jr.), the fourth generation of the guitar-making family that began in 1915 with Domingo Esteso and continued with the Conde Hermanos. The daughter of Felipe Conde, she trained in her father's workshop and has built concert blancas and negras under her own name.
At a Glance
- Family line: Domingo Esteso → Conde Hermanos → Felipe Conde → María and Felipe Jr.
- Workshop: The Felipe Conde workshop, Madrid, Spain
- Trained: As an apprentice under her father, Felipe Conde
- Builds: Flamenco blancas and negras
- Signature: The Conde "Media Luna" (half-moon) headstock
- Label: "María Conde", handwritten on the Felipe Conde label
The Fourth Generation of Conde Guitar Makers
The Conde story began in the Madrid workshop of Domingo Esteso, whose nephews Faustino and Mariano Conde took over after his death in 1937 and made the family's guitars the standard of the flamenco world – played by Niño Ricardo, Sabicas, Melchor de Marchena and, for nearly his entire career, Paco de Lucía. Mariano's son Felipe Conde has built under his own name since 2010, and in 2015 the family celebrated 100 years of guitar making. María learned the craft in his workshop, as did her brother Felipe Jr., who now has his own workshop in Madrid; together they are the new generation of the dynasty.
María Conde's Flamenco Guitars
María's guitars have the classic Conde sound at their core, but her blancas are noticeably lighter than her father's instruments – much like the Conde guitars of the 1950s and 1960s – which makes them super responsive, with an explosive attack, a clean, raspy sound and great edge and bite. Her negras, with rosewood back and sides, have a driving, aggressive quality and extra projection for the concert hall. Her workmanship is clean, precise and refined, crowned by the "media luna" headstock that has been the symbol of the Conde name for over half a century.
María Conde in the Press
María and Felipe Jr. were profiled together in the Spanish edition of Vanity Fair, and María appeared in a Spanish television commercial for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey celebrating a new generation of artisans. The family's centenary was celebrated in Iberia Magazine.
Videos: the Conde Family
María Conde Guitars at GSI
Many María Conde guitars have passed through our doors over the years. You'll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the "Guitars In Stock" button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the "Guitars In Museum" button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is María Conde?
A Madrid flamenco guitar maker, daughter of Felipe Conde and, with her brother Felipe Jr., the fourth generation of the Esteso–Conde guitar-making family.
Where did María Conde learn to build guitars?
As an apprentice in her father Felipe Conde's workshop in Madrid.
How are María Conde's guitars different from her father's?
Her blancas are noticeably lighter, closer to the Conde guitars of the 1950s and 1960s, with a very responsive, explosive attack.
What is the Conde "Media Luna" headstock?
The half-moon headstock shape introduced by the Conde brothers, which became the symbol of the Conde name around 1960.
