RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos Empire

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gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to keith)

Hi Keith, good to see you[r post].

At this point, Conde, be it Felipe or Hermanos, is a reference, a vestigial credential of an individual enterprise now evaporated into a "label". As "Ramirez" did, regardless of whether it is Jose I or II or III or IV or Joselita (Amelia). Much to the point Orsonw makes above, both labels define and guarantee fine guitars, steady and reliable, regardless of who makes them where.

On the other hand, however, shouldn’t we cautiously weigh the apparently inherent value of all luthier’s guitars? There are a lot of guitar-makers out there, mostly self-appointed and certainly lacking the excruciatingly long but profound apprenticeship a Manuel Contreras must have undergone at the house of Ramirez. How many did and do that any longer?

I spoke recently to your friend R.E. Brune. I was reverently impressed by his sweeping knowledge of flamenco and guitars. And speaking to him I was compelled to remember the other infallibly critical aspects required to succeed at any craftsmanship, including guitar making, which must add to the steep learning curve of a serious training (and not everyone naturally has): talent, taste, class, ascetic devotion and integrity…. How many of the guitar makers today have proper training (as say Felipe Conde must have) and really have all of these gifts?

Even if a Felipe Conde simply uses his knowledge or experience to supervise someone else’s work he is –just as RE Brune is- one very long step ahead of those who may need to google “how to glue a bridge”.

I have a Conde and I love it. I am advertizing it for sale, but am sending it to Richard Brune next week to see to a “buzz” it developed. I would not want a buyer of such a guitar (if I will ever sell it, ultimately) to inherit anything which may detract from the beauty of sound and playability my Conde has given me.

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gj Michelob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 16 2010 2:20:31

Mike_Kinny

Posts: 689
Joined: Feb. 12 2009

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to gj Michelob)

quote:

There are a lot of guitar-makers out there, mostly self-appointed and certainly lacking the excruciatingly long but profound apprenticeship

quote:

Even if a Felipe Conde simply uses his knowledge or experience to supervise someone else’s work he is –just as RE Brune is- one very long step ahead of those who may need to google “how to glue a bridge”.

R.E. Brune is also a self-appointed luthier lacking the excruciatingly long but profound apprenticeship.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 16 2010 8:27:22

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to gj Michelob)

gj-being in brune's shop can cause a saint to think about turning to crime--as in robbery; a barbero here, a santos there. yes he knows his stuff and then some. his repairs are a little steep in price as he has to stop working on a $18K guitar to attend to the repair. mark rubendall who has a shop in red hook has a great reputation for repairs--he does repairs for virginia at the guitar salon (not g.s.i.). he is selling a blanca of his on craigslist for $1500 ( i think he is the seller as mark has a shop in red hook and the guitar is in red hook). you might check out him--will save you from shipping the guitar across country. if you do the latter, try the usps--half the cost, just as fast and SAFE.

i learned about mark when i saw his guitar on craigslist and sent an e-mail to nick who use to deal guitars in new york asking about the guy.

as to conde--here is probably the best illustration to try the guitar before buying as it seems the quality can greatly vary. i know the same holds true with all guitars but especially conde.

by the way, i am back in boston. no nails (i cut them during the interviewing process and am letting the right nails grow out), no guitar (sold for funds, the move from chicago) and have not played in months. now that i am re-employed i am looking around to start back up playing but am not going to spend a lot of money as the months of unemployment barely kept me alive.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 16 2010 10:26:35

Arash

Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to Guest)

quote:

ORIGINAL: nealf

seems they have outsourced their marketing to the Iranians.

thats right my friend.
here is another one (specially for your viewing pleasure

)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2010 10:34:25

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to Arash)

Alfredo is a good friend of mine. Good find. He mostly likes jazz fusion stuff and performed with a buddy of mine recently his own compositions. He is from Guatemala.

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2010 19:43:51

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to gj Michelob)

*bump*

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https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2013 4:09:00

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to estebanana)

dang, where is iberianwolf when you really need him.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2013 13:03:21

gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

*bump*

What is going on.... is it Conde Hermanos' Veterans' Day?

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gj Michelob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2013 17:02:05

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to gj Michelob)

gj--things are going slowly and what better way to juice things up than throw out a three year old conde thread for the masses?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2013 20:44:24

gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: The Schism of the Conde Hermanos... (in reply to keith)

quote:

gj--things are going slowly and what better way to juice things up than throw out a three year old conde thread for the masses?

Ah... lovely and lively, the never ending Conde dispute, "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin"?

I resolved it a long time ago, hands down Conde Hermanos is the best flamenco guitar, ever [and, incidentally, Luthier Popular Supreme are the best strings for the same purpose.]

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gj Michelob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2013 21:38:13