Mediterranean Sundance

The recording

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York in late 1976/early 1977, the track captures a live, unedited duet between Al Di Meola’s steel‑string Gibson J‑45 and Paco de Lucía’s cedar‑top Hermanos Conde CM flamenco guitar. Both instruments were close‑mic'd (Neumann U67s) and recorded directly to 24‑track tape with no overdubs, preserving the natural dynamics and clarity of each player’s technique.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1975 Gibson J-45

Acoustic Guitar

Di Meola recorded his part on a 1975 Gibson J‑45, a round‑neck steel‑string acoustic that delivered a warm, articulate tone capable of cutting through de Lucía’s percussive nylon sound.

1960s Hermanos Conde CM

Flamenco Guitar

Paco de Lucía used his 1960s Hermanos Conde CM flamenco guitar, a handcrafted cedar‑top, cypress‑back instrument whose bright, percussive nylon voice defines the track’s flamenco character.

Alternatives

Epiphone J-45

Budget alternative · for the 1975 Gibson J-45

$350 to $450

Cordoba GK Studio (nylon)

Budget alternative · for the 1960s Hermanos Conde CM

$1,200 to $1,500

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use strict alternate picking (down‑up‑down‑up) for every note, even on rapid runs.
2. 2.Apply a rest‑stroke on the steel‑string acoustic to emphasize each note’s attack.
3. 3.Attack the nylon strings with fingertip or nail technique to get the characteristic bright, percussive tone.
4. 4.Practice the 44‑bar passages slowly, focusing on tight left‑hand synchronisation with the right‑hand rhythm before increasing tempo.
5. 5.Maintain consistent right‑hand dynamics to match the flamenco phrasing while preserving melodic clarity.