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I think it is not scientific. Normally C means classical and F means flamenco. 1A is normally the top model or 1A especial for the over-the-top model! The most expensive in the Conde range is Felipe V, because it's the original address. Others use names just like car models, Buleria or Mustang, Andalucia or Alpine.
Becko, I can one up ya in the dumb question department so here it goes; can someone expain what is meant by blanca and negra guitars? I know it means white and black but do the terms refer to a certain type of wood used, or do they produce different sounds? Or is it simply the deep orange finish that is used on some guitars? Can anyone refer me to a site where it explains all these things, like width at nut, scale length, wood types and sounds, what is preferable, etc...
I know it means white and black but do the terms refer to a certain type of wood used, or do they produce different sounds?
Todd,
That is exactly what the difference is. Blanca's are traditionally built with backs and sides of cypress and negra’s are typically East Indian or Brazilian rosewood. Cypress will normally give a guitar a brighter, sharper tone versus rosewood. Think of a negra as a cross between a classical and a blanca. Negra’s will normally have more roundness to the tone with greater sustain.
If you were to observe the waveform of a note played on both you would see the note will rise sharply and tend to die off very fast on the blanca (less sustain). The negra note will tend to rise and die off slower (more sustain). These are just generalities as ever guitar has it's unique characteristics. I have owned several negra’s and they have all been like night and day.
More and more top players are recording with negra’s to achieve more depth of tone. Vicente Amigo is recording with DeVoe negra's and PDL has recorded with his Conde negra for years.
Here is a picture of three world-class negra’s (not mine). The one on the left is a DeVoe and in the middle an old Conde. On the right a Brazilian rosewood Aaron Green.
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Thank you for the explanation Patrick, that really helps. What type of finish is on the Conde? I really like that color.
Which type do most people prefer? And what brand? I know that is a matter opinion but right now I have a Cordoba 30f it's a beginners guitar, ~$450 with humi-case, and I notice when plucking certain chords or doing some scale runs the guitar sounds flat and dead, so I may be in the market for a new guitar soon, any recommendations? I also looked at DeVoes web site and he currently has a 3 year waiting list! That's a long time, plus how can one justify spending thousands of dollars on a guitar without first playing it and seeing if you like the sound, basing the purchase solely on the luthiers name seems to me a risky move.
The most expensive violin is worth 3 Mio. $, as ive recently heard. I started saving today, in 500 years it will be mine.
Todd, I would recommend you, if you dont have a blanca, to buy one. It is more useful to find out the flamenco tone, as opposed to classical. Most negras sound like classical. Of course however, the decision is up to you.
I have a cedar toped classical with rosewood back. I am buying a spruce fronted cypruss/sycamore backed guitar. I want to sound Flamenco even though my technique is not up to standard yet...........Negra= smooth tone. Regards Gary
The most expensive violin is worth 3 Mio. $, as ive recently heard. I started saving today, in 500 years it will be mine.
LOL! Good luck saving up for that Stradavarius, Deniz! Apparently Janine Jansen plays one worth over a million £, but its just on loan to her... I guess she has to give it back at some point!
That's refereed to as "Code Orange". Conde has used an orange tint in their lacquer for years. The one in the picture has a cedar top, which enhances that shade even more.
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