2003 Darren Hippner Santos Hernández Flamenco Blanca – Spruce/Cypress – Hardshell Case

A particularly interesting early Darren Hippner Santos, this handmade 2003 flamenco blanca is serial #353—just three numbers from the 2003 Santos #356 pictured on Hippner's own website. The two guitars are remarkably similar in appearance, right down to their period label design and traditional spruce-and-cypress construction. Based on a 1930 Santos Hernández blanca, the Santos is Hippner's interpretation of one of the great historic Spanish flamenco designs: lightweight, responsive and unmistakably traditional.

History & Interest

Darren Hippner has been a professional full-time luthier since 1994. A fourth-generation carpenter and cabinetmaker, Hippner developed his approach in part through collecting, playing and studying fine Spanish classical and flamenco guitars. His workshop is genuinely a one-man operation—Hippner states that he builds every guitar himself, without employees, associates or apprentices. By 2012, he had completed more than 700 instruments.

The Santos is Hippner's tribute to legendary Madrid luthier Santos Hernández. Hippner identifies the model specifically as being based on a 1930 Santos Hernández blanca, employing cypress back and sides with either a spruce or cedar soundboard. His published description emphasizes the quick response, crisp attack, raspy flamenco character and strong volume of the design.

This guitar is serial #353, built in 2003. Of particular interest, Hippner's own website illustrates the Santos with another 2003 example, serial #356. Our #353 is visually extremely close to that documented example and carries the same earlier-style Darren Hippner label.

Condition

This 23-year-old handmade instrument remains in very good overall condition, with an especially attractive spruce top and beautifully straight-grained cypress back and sides. The guitar shows normal evidence of being played and enjoyed but presents extremely well overall.

There is one noticeable playing scar on the soundboard alongside the clear golpeador. It is a relatively deep scratch/gouge that has gone through the finish and slightly into the surface of the spruce, but does not go through the soundboard and is not a crack. It is cosmetic rather than a structural break and is clearly shown in our close-up photographs.

Otherwise, the top, back, sides, neck and headstock show comparatively light age-appropriate wear. There is some small thumbnail wear on the back of the neck. The transparent golpeador remains in place.

Includes a hardshell case.

Specifications

• Builder: Darren Hippner
• Model: Santos
• Serial Number: 353
• Year: 2003
• Type: Traditional flamenco blanca
• Made in: Point Roberts, Washington, USA
• Design: Based on a 1930 Santos Hernández blanca
• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Cypress
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale Length: 650 mm / 25.6"
• Nut Width: 52 mm / 2.05"
• Frets: 19
• Body Width: 365 mm
• Body Depth: 96 mm
• Neck Thickness: Approx. 22 mm
• Bridge: Traditional tie-block
• Pickguard: Clear flamenco golpeador
• Tuners: Gold classical-style tuning machines
• Case: Hardshell case included