Hermanos Conde (1990) Media Luna Blanca Classical / Flamenco Guitar – Madrid, Spain Media Luna 1990 - Gloss lacquer

(1990) Hermanos Conde Media Luna Blanca Classical / Flamenco Guitar – Madrid, Spain

Conde Hermanos guitars have been the industry standard for Spanish flamencos for many decades now. Conde has been the guitar of choice for the vast number of great players for many generations from Nino Ricardo and Melchor de Marchena to Paco de Lucia (who has recorded and concertized for nearly his entire career on Conde), Moraito, Gerardo Nunez, Canizares, Rafael Riqueni and the present generation's Diego del Morao and many others. Click here to see a small sampling of such performances. They are famously known for a dry, "woody" and very firm tone, capable of retaining clarity and punch even when driven to the extreme limits of speed - whether in picado, tremolo or rasguedo techniques - these guitars can hold up and deliver a reliable and consistent quality of tone.

This instrument is the "Especial" version of Felipe Conde's concert-level blanca. It uses his most select and valuable materials for premium quality of build and aesthetic. It is also finished with his "en color" lacquer which has a darker, orange-ish hue. It is beautiful not only to the eye, but to the ear as well. It is durable for the heavy hand, fast and fun to play. A great instrument from the maker of Paco de Lucia's guitar!

Offered here is a (1990) Hermanos Conde Media Luna Blanca, built in Madrid by the legendary Hermanos Conde workshop. This is a true Media Luna model, instantly recognizable by the iconic half-moon headstock, a design reserved for Conde’s higher-tier instruments and closely associated with their professional concert guitars.

This guitar embodies the classic Conde voice of the late 1980s–early 1990s: direct, articulate, and powerful, with exceptional clarity and projection. Notes launch quickly with a dry, focused attack, followed by a complex bloom that makes this instrument equally at home in serious classical repertoire and traditional flamenco contexts. The trebles are crisp and singing, while the basses remain tight, controlled, and authoritative without becoming boomy.

Construction & Materials:

• Top: Solid spruce (tight, even grain with excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio)
• Back & Sides: Solid Spanish cypress
• Neck: Spanish cedar
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale Length: 658 mm
• Nut Width: Approx. 50 mm
• Finish: It is finished with his "en color" lacquer which has a darker, orange-ish hue
• Headstock: Iconic Conde Media Luna (half-moon) design
• Origin: Madrid, Spain

Playability & Response:

The neck profile is fast and comfortable, with a classic Conde feel that invites confident left-hand positioning and effortless right-hand articulation. Action is responsive and lively, ideal for dynamic playing, fast picado passages, and expressive classical phrasing. This guitar rewards precision and nuance, making it especially appealing to advanced players and professionals.

Tone Character:

• Bright, penetrating trebles with excellent separation
• Dry, punchy basses typical of top Madrid-built Condes
• Exceptional projection and immediacy
• Highly responsive to both nail and flesh technique

This is not a modern factory interpretation of the Conde sound; it is an authentic early-1990s Madrid instrument, built during a period many players consider a sweet spot for tonal balance and craftsmanship from the Conde workshop.

Condition:

Very good vintage condition for its age, with expected light cosmetic wear consistent with careful use. Structurally sound and fully playable, with no compromises to tone or performance.

Why This Guitar:

Original Hermanos Conde Media Luna guitars from this era are increasingly difficult to find and are sought after by collectors, concert players, and flamenco purists alike. This instrument represents a direct lineage to the guitars played by generations of world-class artists.

A serious Madrid-built Conde for serious players.

This guitar has just been professionally setup and the frets cleaned up and restrung by our local luthier.