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Ricardo -> RE: New Conde Generation (Jun. 14 2015 15:41:49)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Echi
I think the guitars made by the 2 brothers are at the very same level as they took 2 labour men each of the old Felipe V shop by lot. Pactically they keep making the same kind of guitars as before.
I was told Felipe was the public relation guy, the one following the marketing and keeping the good contacts and this must be true.
Nonetheless I believe that while the guitars of Mariano are cheaper they are not worse (I find just not attractive the stamp On the top).
The guitar on Ebay is actually a studio model. I don't understand if the headstock has been modified by the seller...
Dinga ling dong!!! [sm=Smiley Guitar.gif][sm=Smiley Guitar.gif][sm=Smiley Guitar.gif]
That's for anders [:D]
Seriously, I checked this situation out last summer...I dealt with both brothers two days apart and posted my opinion about it here but don't feel like searching.
Felipe and son came to Gerardos class and answered questions directly. They brought two models, one by daddy a top blanca, and one by jr a cedar top negra B lower model. The Felipe Jr was a superior instrument and it was obvious as Gerardo first demoed it and we all got to try it. The Blanca as a typical conde blanca. The prices were extremely high, but they seemed to be serious about their work. I Talked to jr about the nut details I didn't like and he seemed genuinely interested and said he could customize anything I wanted. I had met Felipe's wife the year before when he brought a different guitar, equally good blanca I remember. She was also very serious about guitars believe it or not. They had not a bad word to say about brother Mariano, I asked about that too. They also seemed nice and wanted to hang out in the juerga etc. Didnt really seem to be there to "sell" anything just be part of the event, they really like flamenco. Can't say anything about the daughter or her guitars yet, and won't until I can try one someday.
Now two days later I was in Madrid and found Mariano's shop. So he has the sign up "if you don't believe we build guitars come watch us"...he is there sanding the fuk out of a koa backed guitar all glued up with no finish...and continued to do so the entire time I was there! [:D] He showed me the downstairs of the shop....looked like a junk basement with part finished guitars lying around, even on on the floor!!! He said his son and 2 workers help him build the complete line of guitars he offers (where the f where they, on siesta? [:D]).
I played several top models...non were like the Conde's I am familiar with except for the looks. He even had one in a glass case that had NO LABEL in it...(always thought they put the lable and stuff on the back BEFORE they glue it together [:D]). Prices were much lower than Felipe. He had a side room with used guitars...the best guitar in the shop was a low end model with a repaired crack he offered me for 1800 E...it had a sanchis rosette and pegs, and great sound and feel. Label was 2010 Felipe V address...back when the bros were still together. THe new guitars were just really not in league with Felipe's nor his sons.
So what does it all mean? If they are all just out sourced fine, but Felipe and sons seem then to have the better connection. Over charging sure, but Mariano sadly can't compare IMO. If on the other hand Felipe Jr really did make that guitar, well he is an excellent Luthier IMO.
Ricardo
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