avimuno -> RE: Felipe and Mariano making the same guitars? (Dec. 27 2013 5:22:10)
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quote:
I'd just like to go on record stating that I am by no means a Conde hater. I've played many Condes that I really liked and others that I didn't like at all. I can say the same about numerous other makes as well. If you read any of my past posts you'll see that I don't make disparaging remarks about guitars of any make but I'll freely admit that I have no problem calling out makers, dealers, individual sellers or anyone else on what I see as deceptive marketing practices, twisting of truths and sometimes outright lies regarding their instruments. If people don't mind paying "individual artisan" prices for factory instruments, so be it. It's their money. You are pretty much describing my own experience with Conde. I have played quite a few, and I have owned two: a 2003 from the Felipe shop, and a 1998 from the Atocha shop. The Felipe one was so so, but the Atocha one was actually a really really nice guitar. I sold the Felipe one, at a huge discount, less than a year after buying it. I also sold the Atocha one because I needed the money. I did not want to let that guitar go because as Morante said, it was easy to mic up and solid enough to travel and gig with. But such is life, so it found a new home. To be very honest, and this is just my own opinion and experience, I am not planning on buying a Conde in the near future. I might consider spilling the beans if I stumble upon one I really like, but otherwise, I have gone the artisan route now. I have found many makers who will build you a really nice guitar for around €3,000 or less. This allows me to buy more guitars than if I bought a Conde, expanding my little collection, and I truly believe in supporting the sole artisan maker who's trying to make a living against the competition of bigger established names. Plus, and this is coming from a total guitar geek, I find it quite fascinating to discover new makers and get to talk about their approach to the art of making flamenco guitars etc... whilst hoping that I do stumble on the next Reyes/Barba/Marin Montero etc!! [:)]
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