Hermanos Conde
Hermanos Conde (Conde Brothers) are world-famous luthiers, makers of classical and flamenco guitars.
History
The Conde dynasty was founded by Domingo Esteso in 1915 in Madrid. Esteso in turn trained his nephews Faustino and Mariano Conde Sr. Later, the young Julio Conde joined his brothers.
Domingo Esteso died in 1937, since then the three Conde Brothers continued working for Esteso's widow under the name of "Viuda y Sobrinos de Esteso" (Esteso's Widow and Nephews) until 1960.
In the early 50s, Julio Conde sets a new handicraft guitar center at 53 Atocha Street.
From 1960 until 1988-89 they took over the shop and called themselves "Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso Conde Hermanos" (Esteso's Nephews, Conde Brothers) or "Hermanos Conde Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso" (Conde Brothers, Esteso's Nephews).
Mariano Sr. later established his own shop close to the Royal Theatre, calling it "Conde Hermanos Sucesores Sobrinos de Esteso" at Calle Felipe V, 2 in Madrid. His two sons, (Felipe Conde, born in 1957 and Mariano Jr., born 1959) began their apprenticeship with their father and uncle Faustino when they were about 15 years old. Faustino died in 1988 and Mariano Sr. in 1989.
Felipe and Mariano Conde (sons of Mariano Conde Sr.) manufactured flamenco guitars in their workshop at Felipe V St. nº 2 in Madrid close to the Teatro Real (Royal Theatre) and the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). They were known as "Conde Hermanos Sucesores Sobrinos de Esteso" (Conde Brothers - Esteso's Nephews Successors)
Felipe and Mariano have now broken off their business association. They work in different workshops and they sell different models of guitars. The Felipe Conde's shop is placed in Arrieta 4, in front of the Royal Theatre and very close to the old shop in Felipe V. The Mariano Conde's shop is placed in Amnistia 1, Madrid, next to <Opera> metro.
Meanwhile, Julio carried on making guitars until his death in 1995, and now his sons and granddaughter are who keep the tradition of "Conde Hermanos" at Atocha 53 .
Notable users
Famous Flamenco guitarists such as Paco de Lucía, Manolo de Huelva, Niño Ricardo, Melchor de Marchena, Sabicas, Mario Escudero, Esteban de Sanlucar, Regino Sainz de la Maza, Oscar Herrero, Roberto Morón, José Manuel Cañizares, Rafael Riqueni, Enrique de Melchor, Andrea Nannetti and guitarists with other styles such as Al Di Meola, Steve Howe, Bob Dylan, Meiko, Cat Stevens, John Williams (guitarist), Lenny Kravitz, David Byrne, Toninho Horta, Wayne Wesley Johnson, and Jesse Cook have played and still play with the world-renowned guitars of Hermanos Conde.