The history of Conde Hermanos guitars began with Luthier Domingo Esteso establishing his workshop in 1915 in Madrid on Calle Gravina 7. He learned his craft from Manuel Ramirez of the famous Ramirez shop. In 1927, his nephews – Faustino, Mariano, and Julio – joined their uncle and learned the art of guitar making from the master. Domingo Esteso passed away in 1937 due to respiratory complications.
The Conde brothers (Faustino, Mariano, and Julio) continued making guitars under the name of Viuda y Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso and later on under Hermanos Conde Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso. As the business grew, in 1951 a new shop was opened in Calle Atocha 53 (Madrid) and [hence the name Conde Atocha] ran by Julio Conde. Faustino and Mariano continued making guitars until their death in 1987 and 1988 respectively. Mariano Sr.’s sons Felipe and Mariano Jr. who had started working at their fathers and uncle’s workshop since the mid 1970’s continued the tradition until 2010 when they split and established their own shops. They are making guitars under their own names (Felipe Conde, Mariano Conde).
Julio Conde remained at the Atocha shop until his death 1995. Since then, his daughter has been in charge of running the business. The chief luthier for Conde Atocha is Javier Castaño. All the guitars are made with the finest wood selected over the years by Julio Conde. At this shop, they have stayed loyal to the old Conde Hermanos sound. If you are a fan of Conde guitars, and love that old Conde sound, then consider investing in a Conde Atocha guitar at a very reasonable price.
