Printed on the label of this guitar is "Hermanos Conde/Sobrinos de Esteso" which places it in the "third epoch" of this guitar-making dynasty established by Domingo Esteso in 1915. The word "Viuda" was dropped from the label after the death of Nicolasa Salamanca, the widow of Esteso, thereby establishing the Conde Brothers as a fully independent guitar shop. This was a period where their instruments were sought out by the great majority of professional players, including: El Niño Ricardo, Sabicas, Melchor de Marchena, Mario Escudero, Paco de Lucía, Paco Cepero, Enrique de Melchor, los "Habichuela", Oscar Herrero, Gerardo Nuñez, Rafael Riqueñi, Tomatito, Al Di Meola, John Maclaughlin, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and many many more.
In 1960 they established the use of the ‘media luna’ (half-moon) headstock for their top of the line guitars, and this became the symbol of the Conde name - and indeed continues to this day. They modified the plantilla and the inner bracing of the top of the guitar. They introduced new rosettes that were inspired by designs from the past. They differentiated the classical and flamenco models in the plantilla and in construction, giving them distinct sounds. They achieved a characteristic sound, with great volume and its own personality, which is recognized throughout the guitar world.
This particular guitar is light as a feather, and has the famously dry, "woody" and loose tone associated with their best instruments from this period. It is very raspy and lively and capable of retaining clarity and punch even when driven to the extreme limits of speed - whether in picado, tremolo or rasguedo techniques. It has very easy and low action, and a slender neck making playability a breeze. Condition is excellent with no damage or repairs, only some mild playing wear after decades of use. It was previously owned by Alberto Velez who was Manolo Sanlucar's teacher, and the guitar comes with documentation of this provenance. This is a great blanca from one of the most exciting periods of Spanish guitar making history.
Luthier bio: Felipe Conde and the Conde history
