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Product Description

Neck: Cedro
Fingerboard: Ebony
Finish(Top): Lacquer
Finish(Back & Sides): Lacquer
Tuning Machines: Fustero
String Height(1st): 2.2mm
String Height(6th): 2.7mm

[Luthier Information]

Among the many renowned Spanish flamenco guitar brands, Conde Hermanos stands out as one of the most iconic and historically significant. Its origins trace back to the legendary Manuel Ramírez (1864–1916) workshop in Madrid, where Domingo Esteso (1882–1937) trained alongside Santos Hernández. In 1919, Esteso established his own workshop on Gravina Street in Madrid.

After Esteso’s death, the brand was carried on by his nephews—Faustino Conde (1913–1988), Mariano Conde (1916–1989), and Julio Conde (1918–1995)—who had worked under Esteso. Initially, they labeled their instruments "Viuda y Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso" ("Esteso’s widow and nephews"), and after Nicolasa Salamanca (Esteso’s widow and the finisher of his guitars) passed away in 1959, the label changed to "Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso / Conde Hermanos", marking the beginning of the Conde Hermanos name as a brand.

In the 1960s, the brothers developed their own original designs, moving away from Esteso’s templates, and introduced what would become their hallmark—the Media Luna (half-moon) headstock, said to be inspired by a bull's horn, a symbol of Spanish bravado and strength.

In 1980, Mariano Conde I established a workshop on Felipe V Street in Madrid, working alongside his sons Felipe Conde and Mariano Conde II, continuing to collaborate with the Gravina shop. After Faustino’s passing in 1988, the Felipe workshop began to operate independently. When Mariano I died in 1989, his sons inherited the workshop, which soon became known for its flexible and commercially successful production model among the three existing Conde branches (Gravina, Atocha, and Felipe).

In 2010, both sons formally separated, founding their own independent brands: Felipe Conde and Mariano Conde, each carrying forward the Conde legacy with their own distinct interpretations.

Meanwhile, the Gravina workshop was managed by Faustino’s widow until the early 2000s, when it was closed, and the Atocha workshop—originally led by Julio—was taken over by his daughter and granddaughter, who continue to produce guitars under the Conde Hermanos brand.

Conde guitars have been famously used by Paco de Lucía, among many of the world’s greatest flamenco guitarists, making them an essential name for aficionados and professionals alike.

[Instrument Information]

Conde Hermanos – Felipe V Workshop – Model A26 – 650mm – 2000 – Used

We are pleased to offer this excellent Conde Hermanos A26 flamenco guitar, built in 2000 at the Felipe V workshop. This workshop was led by Felipe Conde and Mariano Conde II at the time, and was the most productive of the three Conde shops. The A26 model is a long-standing flagship of the brand, embodying both the visual flair and bold sonic character that define the Conde sound.

This particular instrument features:

The iconic Media Luna headstock, a trademark of high-end Conde models

Striking orange finish, stage-ready and visually bold (the soundboard has been professionally refinished with original-type lacquer to match the original aesthetic)

650mm scale length, offering a softer tension and improved playability compared to the standard 664mm specification—ideal for classical and crossover players

A distinctive flamenco tone—fast attack, strong percussive bite, yet with a slightly rounded edge for a smoother sonic experience

Soundboard Bracing & Construction

This instrument features a unique internal structure characteristic of the Felipe shop’s innovative period:

Two harmonic bars (above and below the soundhole)

A reinforcement plate between the neck block and upper harmonic bar

7 fan braces arranged in a symmetrical yet non-traditional pattern:

The center brace and two adjacent braces extend beyond the lower harmonic bar, even penetrating the upper bar near the neck block

The outer four braces spread in a reverse V-shape, starting closer to the soundhole and angling downward

The closing bars are arranged in a V-shape from the tail block

This non-standard yet symmetrical configuration, particularly the braces that pass through both harmonic bars, reflects the Felipe workshop’s experimental approach while maintaining structural integrity and tonal character. The main resonance is tuned slightly above F#, contributing to its quick and lively response.

Condition

The soundboard has been refinished with lacquer in the original orange tone; cosmetic integration with sides and back is seamless

Two historical hairline cracks near the fingerboard have been professionally repaired and reinforced, now barely visible and fully stable

Some minor playwear, light scratches on the golpeador (tap plate) edge and scattered dings typical for a 20+ year old flamenco guitar

Back and sides are in very good condition, with light wear from clothing friction and normal use

Neck is straight with a very slight forward relief, optimal for flamenco action

Frets show some wear (mostly frets 1–8), but overall playability is excellent

Action: 2.7 mm (6th string) / 2.2 mm (1st string) at 12th fret – ideal low flamenco setup

Original Fustero tuning machines function perfectly

D-shaped, flat neck profile – thin and fast in hand

Summary

A finely crafted and responsive Felipe-era A26 from the golden years of the Conde Hermanos Felipe V workshop, combining the iconic Conde style with slightly more forgiving playability thanks to the 650mm scale and rounder tonal edges.
This instrument retains the power, brilliance, and unmistakable flamenco character that made this brand a favorite of Paco de Lucía and countless others.

【Profile】
Conde Hermanos is a long-established flamenco guitar brand from Madrid, Spain, founded in 1919 by Domingo Esteso. The workshop was later inherited by his nephews Faustino, Mariano, and Julio, and from 1959 onward, the brand began using the name “Conde Hermanos.”

In the 1960s, they introduced original structural and design elements, including the now-famous Media Luna (half-moon) headstock. Gaining worldwide popularity, the brand especially flourished from the 1980s onward, with the Felipe workshop becoming its main pillar.

Since 2010, Felipe Conde I and Mariano Conde II have each launched their own independent brands, continuing to craft instruments with both tradition and individuality. Today, the Conde Hermanos legacy is carried on by their daughters and granddaughters. The brand is also well known for being favored by legendary guitarist Paco de Lucía, further cementing its status as an icon in the flamenco guitar world.

【Description】
A classic Conde Hermanos A26 model has arrived, built in 2000 at the Felipe workshop. This is a high-end blanca flamenco guitar featuring the brand’s signature Media Luna headstock, said to be inspired by the shape of a bull. It has a striking orange finish and produces a distinctive, bright tone that is both firm and responsive. Even today, it remains one of the most iconic models, still produced across the various independent Conde workshops.

Crafted at the Felipe workshop, this A26 showcases an uncommon internal structure. The seven fan braces are each set at unique angles, rather than in a traditional symmetrical layout. Two of the central braces extend from the end block, pass through the lower harmonic bar, and continue to the upper one. The two outer braces on each side also extend outward from the lower harmonic bar. While minor variations exist between workshops, this bracing style is a common feature in A26 models from this period. The resonance is set slightly above F#.

There is a history of repair on both sides of the fingerboard, but it has been properly restored and poses no current issues. The back shows a few scratches from clothing friction, along with minor playwear and small dings. Overall, the guitar is in very good condition for a flamenco instrument over 20 years old. The neck has a slight and appropriate forward bow. While the frets show some wear, playability is not affected. The original Fustero tuners function smoothly. The neck has a slightly thin, flat D-shaped profile. The soundboard has been refinished and is in excellent visual condition. Saddle height has about 1mm of remaining margin.