Domingo Esteso 1921 – great soounding classical guitar with enormous historical significance!
The Spanish luthier Domingo Esteso Lopez was one of the great guitar-makers of the early part of the 20th century that apprenticed with Manuel Ramirez. After Manuel Ramirez died, he opened his own shop on the calle Gravina, where he was joined by his 13 year old nephew Faustino Conde in 1926, as did Mariano Conde in 1929. After his death in the end of 1937, Faustino and his two brothers, Mariano and Julio Conde continued working under the label Vda y Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso. Domingo Esteso guitars are considered monumental and historical, some of them are shown in the great Museums around the world telling the most important part of the history of the Spanish guitar.
This guitar is from 1921 and is a very nice one. It has back and sides that look like rosewood. However, after further analysis we think they are more likely to be of pear wood. This wood was often used for classical guitars in the early 20th century, as it gives the sound a brilliance like rosewood. It has a fine spruce top. The scale length is 648 mm and the nut width 50 mm.
Even by modern standards today, the volume of this instrument is plentiful, and the loose, woody, and played-in sound is something that can only be found in a vintage instrument. The sound is absolutely magical from the bottom-end to the highest registers. It can be caressed to draw out a beautiful, singing lyricism but when pushed just right it growls as an old world guitar.
It is in good condition for the age and has a few repaired cracks only – fortunately despite the work done, it still retains its authentic sound and plays very well.
The guitar comes with a hard case.
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