2021 Felipe Conde "Sobrinos de Esteso 1974" RW/CSAR

This 2021 Felipe Conde "Sobrinos de Esteso 1974" is a redwood and CSA rosewood flamenco guitar made in Madrid, Spain – a limited-edition reissue of Paco de Lucía's 1974 Conde, No. 7 of 25, in like-new condition.

A Tribute to Paco de Lucía's 1974 Conde Flamenco Guitar

In recent years, Felipe has released several fantastic "tribute" models to honor famous guitars played by Moraito Chico, Pepe Habichuela and Paco de Lucía. This model – the "Reedición" of 1974 – is based on another Conde owned by Paco, built in 1974. The original guitar featured Indian rosewood for the back and sides, and so the substitution of CSA rosewood for this special edition is the only difference (in materials) from the original. (For a small sampling of the great players who have performed on Conde guitars, click here.)

The Same Mould and the Same Redwood

Structurally, this model is practically identical to the original, and Felipe even used the same mould as was used for the original instrument from 1974, which he inherited from his aunt Juliana (Faustino Conde's widow) after her passing. In the spirit of remaining as true to the original as possible, the redwood used for the soundboard was taken from the same stock as that used in 1974 for Paco's guitar – wood that Felipe has been storing for decades for the right opportunity, which presented itself with this model. This beautiful top is matched with an exquisite set of CSA rosewood for the back and sides (with glowing contrasts from the lighter sapwood that ebbs in and out of the darker heartwood).

The Sound: A Vintage Conde Flamenco Guitar from Madrid

It has an immediate, punchy attack with bitey trebles and growly basses, giving it a lot of "rasp" in all registers. It has a ringing sound but is still nicely percussive at the same time. In addition to the super fast responsiveness, it is also very comfortable to play, especially for a long scale. Felipe has done an amazing job at capturing the sound of this vintage and iconic era.

"Serie Oro": No. 7 of 25, in Like-New Condition

Felipe is also celebrating 50 years as a guitar builder, which is commemorated on the gold-trimmed label ("Reedición Guitarra Flamenca de Concierto Serie ORO, Año 1974"), shown alongside a reproduction of the old "Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso" label from Gravina 7. This is No. 7 in a limited run of only 25 "Serie Oro" (Gold Series) instruments. Although previously owned, the guitar is in like-new condition with virtually no signs of prior use. Another stunning instrument from this famous shop.

Felipe Conde in Iberia Magazine

Orfeo Magazine No. 25 – Flamenco: Origins of the Flamenco Guitar

Third Generation of the Esteso and Conde Line

Felipe Conde comes from one of the most celebrated families in the history of the Spanish guitar. His father, Mariano Conde, and his uncle, Faustino Conde, learned their craft from their uncle Domingo Esteso at Gravina 7 in Madrid, and carried on his workshop after his death in 1937 as Viuda y Sobrinos de Esteso and later Conde Hermanos. Felipe entered the Gravina workshop in 1971 at just 14 years old, learning from his father and uncle, and in 1989 he and his brother took over the family shop at Felipe V #2.

The Media Luna and a Legendary Roster of Players

The Conde "Media Luna" (half-moon) headstock has been the symbol of the family's top guitars since 1960, and Conde guitars have been played by Paco de Lucía, Sabicas, Niño Ricardo, Tomatito, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and many more. Since 2010, Felipe has worked in his own workshop at 4 Arrieta St. in Madrid, together with his children, María and Felipe Jr.