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The label on this classical guitar is signed "Conde Hermanos" and was built during the final year of the "second epoch" of this guitar-making dynasty established by Domingo Esteso in 1915. It was about this time when the two nephews of Esteso (Mariano and Faustino Conde) admitted their third and youngest brother Julio Conde into the workshop to continue the family tradition. Among the guitarists who played the guitars of this era are Regino Sainz de la Maza, Alirio Diaz, Quintin Esquembre, Manolo de Huelva and many more.
This is a great instrument built by the Conde brothers, and likely French polished by Esteso's widow who was polishing all the guitars up until this year, 1959. It 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. Although built simply as a "guitar", depending mainly on setup it can be played easily as a classical, or as a flamenco - indeed the previous owner installed a tap plate and lowered the action making it an impressive flamenco negra - it is simply a great mid-century style "Spanish" guitar and can easily handle the needs of either a flamenco or classical player by adjusting the action. Condition is excellent with only one hairline crack (repaired) on the back. Overall, this is a great and very versatile guitar from one of the most exciting periods of Spanish guitar-making history.
Luthier bio: Felipe Conde and the Conde history
