Hey...Vic!...

Someone is going to get it..., posted on May 3, 2020 at 12:06:05
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55319 Joined: April 5, 2000	...and it better not be me! :) Quite a reputation I am getting here, I am afraid. :) Sony has produced some very fine pieces... this is not one of them.

Ok...I get it..., posted on May 3, 2020 at 12:27:42
kootenay Audiophile Posts: 8446 Location: Calgary, Alberta Joined: October 16, 2007	I mean, I'm not going to buy it by any means. But it was worth a thought. though. Just wondering I thought I saw a vintage flamenco guitar in the corner of your listening room. Perhaps I was dreaming.

Close... but no guitar! :) nt, posted on May 3, 2020 at 12:31:49
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55319 Joined: April 5, 2000	.

A violin perhaps!...., posted on May 3, 2020 at 12:49:32

kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8446
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007

Nah...never mind. The reason I mentioned the flamenco guitar was that I scored one from the Facebook marketplace site of all places. It was an old 1960 Conde Hermanos flamenco guitar that has seen better days during the Spanish civil war. Oh well, I'm glad that there's a luthier nearby me that will take them on to restore this guitar to its former glory. The restoration project is not cheap mind you but he's guaranteeing his work for the life of the guitar.

Looks like a bottle of Polish vodka, posted on May 4, 2020 at 05:56:41
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55319 Joined: April 5, 2000	Best of luck with your restoration project! I used to play guitar, but with three left hand fingers severely injured that rock star career came to a screeching stop. :(

Looks like a bottle of Polish vodka..., posted on May 4, 2020 at 11:29:10

kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8446
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007

Close but no cigar! er, guitar. The Conde dynasty was founded in Madrid by Domingo Esteso in 1915. Esteso trained his nephews Faustino and Mariano Conde Sr. Later, the young Julio Conde joined his brothers. You can read the excerpt here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermanos_Conde
Also according to the wiki info, this guitar was played by many legendary musicians such as Paco De Lucia, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen just to name a few.

I've read somewhere that these guitars were made from woods that were aged for at least 30 years or so. Hence their unique sound quality of which it was mainly attributed to the pre-aged methods of the wood being utilized in making these guitars. My guitar's back and the soundboard material was made from Spruce wood harvested from Germany. The neck is made from Red cedarwood, the fretboard, and the saddle bridge was made from ebony wood which was harvested from South America.

You can check the Conde Hermanos guitar's used prices here https://condehermanos.com/guitarras/guitarras-flamencas/

I am all for restoring fine old things, posted on May 4, 2020 at 12:18:29
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55319 Joined: April 5, 2000	They should be preserved as much as possible. My respect to you for investing money into this project. I used to think maple was also a wood of choice for many instruments - no?

Thanks..., posted on May 4, 2020 at 16:15:33

kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8446
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007

Yes, maple wood is an excellent material to use as well and is commonly being utilized on making an electric guitar. I always respect the original creativity and craftsmanship of all the vintage objects that I purchased. That said, If I want to restore it I would always take into consideration in preserving the object as it was without disturbing the essence of its functionality and its originality.

Beautful, but something seems off..., posted on June 15, 2020 at 18:23:06
Rod M Web Geek Posts: 16246 Location: So. California Joined: March 1, 1999 Contributor Since: March 1, 1999	How does it sound? -Rod

It sounds beautiful!..., posted on July 2, 2020 at 18:05:42
kootenay Audiophile Posts: 8446 Location: Calgary, Alberta Joined: October 16, 2007	That's what my local luthier said after restoring it. He says that the crack on the soundboard and along the side was mainly caused by normal wear and tear due to the wood's contracting and expanding over the 60 years period of the guitar's existence. Here I was thought that the cracks were caused by neglect over the years and being used as a doorstop.

LOL..., posted on July 2, 2020 at 18:52:38
Rod M Web Geek Posts: 16246 Location: So. California Joined: March 1, 1999 Contributor Since: March 1, 1999	I'm glad it sounds good. Our 1906 Grand Piano has a crack and I hear that all the best ones have one as all old pianos do. But, my obtuse response was about the lack of strings on the guitar in the pic. Hence, how's it sound? -Rod

I see..., posted on July 2, 2020 at 19:32:27

kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8446
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007

I was told by the luthier to unstring the strings to reduce the stress on the soundboard and neck of which of course will mitigate the cracks from spreading even more prior to sending it to him.

BTW, he was so impressed by the design of the guitar that he took some vids on the inside in an effort that someday he will be able to duplicate it. He also designs and builds acoustic guitar that he sells for CAD 8-12K a pop.

RE: I see..., posted on July 2, 2020 at 19:44:28

Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16246
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
Since: March 1, 1999

I can imagine the stress on tight strings. But it's awfully hard to play it often without strings! ;)

Loosening all of them works, right?

Then, you spend all your time tuning it back.

I need to find another piano tuner. Our old guy has gotten too old. He tuned it the last time a couple years ago and it sounds terrific, but it still needs a couple of high treble strings that he didn't want to do, thankfully, not ones that anyone hits.

-Rod

Tape Trail

Hey...Vic!...

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