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Looking into getting a new guitar. I’m interested in Felipe Jr’s work, but haven’t had the opportunity to try one out myself.
Since I believe it would be a tall investment, I want to be sure of it. So, any thoughts on his guitars, and does anyone here have one (or know someone who does) that I could try out?
This area is for luthier related discussion and advice.
He is asking about a luthier and his work, so I don’t see what the big deal is, other than prejudice against the Conde discussions. Maybe we need a “Conde Section”. It would be bigger than the luthier section interms of traffic
There is, unfortunately, some drama that is difficult to parse out. The uncle of Felipe jr claims neither he (jr) nor his dad Felipe sr, ever built a guitar called “Conde” in their lives and would not know how. That they instead acquire guitars built in Valencia by Manuel Adalid and place their labels inside these. As outrageous as this sounds, we have to ask ourselves why such claims are being put forward. I personally received this info from Mariano himself in a YouTube comment/real time chat. I am also in touch with Felipe jr who is a super nice guy and refuses to engage with the drama. I have a student with a model on the way that I will review when I get my hands on it. As for the ones I have played already? Who ever is building the instruments, they are superior. I am jealous of those that own these instruments, and would be jealous of who ever the maker is if I were a Luthier. Odds based on evidence (photos and videos of guitars being built, and my own hands) vs claims (Mariano Conde and advocates of these instruments), are in favor that Felipe jr is in fact building these things.
He is asking about a luthier and his work, so I don’t see what the big deal is
Fair enough, just repeating what the actual luthiers on here say, and knowing that jo will get a better response in General, to which it has now been moved.
I’m between him and another luthier whose guitars I’ve actually tried and liked. Felipe would end up being a bit more expensive considering all the added shipping costs from Spain and euro to USD.
Look forward to your review! Really want to try one out. From the little that I can hear online they do seem to be unique, but you can only gauge so much through videos…
I may be in DC in August. Not sure if your student would have it by then.
Is it usual to ever try to bargain with a luthier, or is their price set in stone?
Is it usual to ever try to bargain with a luthier, or is their price set in stone?
Within reason sure. The thing is, people always want more for less which is annoying. Don’t be annoying. I am sure there is room for getting what you want vs a big spender that wants all the trimmings and a little gold star on the headstock etc. To put in context I think Felip jr 10 years ago wanted 8k Euro for his nice guitar. That is how much his uncle’s guitar was too, in Madrid, I checked a day later. His dad’s guitar was like 11k or something, I consider overpriced. When I was at NAMM in 2018 I was headed to his hotel to try out the guitar he brought, but some guy got there an hour before me and handed Felipe jr 10k USA cash and took the thing. So that is what we are dealing with if you want the truth. Not sure what his limits are in-terms of negotiation. If I had the money I would find out and tell you privately.
As for my student, he does not live here (DC), and as far as I know he is still waiting. Photos were on Facebook, looks legit. After he gets it, he will eventually make a trip here (he does on occasion for work), and I will finally have it in my hands and check it out. You might not want to wait that long, cuz it could be months. To be honest the guitars that I tried that impressed me were negras. Mercedes Lujan has a similar sounding negra to those I tried. Long ago Robert Ruck made some flamenco guitars for Gerardo Nuñez. I tried two negras that were superior, but his blancas were not in the same caliber IMO. I believe Felipe jr. Has made my student a Blanca, so until I have it in my hands to compare, there is no guarantees of anything. Guitars are funny objects.
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It would be bigger than the luthier section interms of traffic 
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