Blanca vs. Negra

Since we have these two guitars that are aesthetically identical except that one is a blanca and the other is a negra, I thought it’d be fun to play the same stuff on both to really hear the difference between the two types of guitars (it’s a big choice for many). The guitars are a Felipe Conde FC26 and a Felipe Conde FC28, both made this year and both serious flamencos. Of course we’re dealing with two specific guitars, so my little demo isn’t going to settle any bets, but it’s a pretty straightforward way to hear the difference between cypress and rosewood guitars (and whatever construction details may be adjusted for each).

I just played the same three falsetas on each guitar, first a quiet-ish one (Granaina), then a medium one (Alegria) and finally I pushed the guitars a little with some Buleria. I used the most neutral signal chain I have to record them (U89 into a Millennia pre) in a really dead room and I added nothing to the recording, which means that both guitars will sound more ‘live’ in a good room.

I made my choice a long time ago – I like blancas – but it’s a personal thing, so hopefully this will help a little bit for anyone on the fence about which way to go.