Jose Ramirez

When people think of a José Ramírez guitar, they often think of the instrument Andrés Segovia adopted in the 1960s — the cedar-top guitar delivered in 1969 that he used for many of his most celebrated later recordings. But the Ramírez story is bigger than one instrument. It is the story of five generations, 140 years, and the most famous guitar workshop in Spain.

The Family and the Workshop

José Ramírez I founded the Madrid workshop in 1882. His brother Manuel trained there before establishing his own workshop — where Santos Hernández would later build the guitar that launched Segovia's career. José Ramírez III (1922–1995) brought the workshop to its greatest international prominence, developing the cedar-top design that became the standard concert instrument of the mid-20th century and building the guitars that defined how professional performers thought about the instrument. Today Amalia Ramírez heads the family enterprise — the first woman to lead it, maintaining the tradition into the 21st century.

The Model Range: What the Numbers Mean

Ramírez guitars are structured in a clear hierarchy:

1a (Primera) — The concert instrument. Fully handmade in the traditional Madrid style, with individually selected tonewoods, hand-applied finishes, and the construction methods that have defined the Ramírez name. This is the guitar Segovia played, the guitar Williams and Bream performed on. Available in spruce and cedar tops.

2a (Segunda) — High-quality instruments using similar construction to the 1a but with somewhat less intensive finishing. Excellent concert instruments for players who want the Ramírez sound at a more accessible level.

Studio models — Production instruments that bring Ramírez quality and consistency to a broader market. Reliable, well-made instruments for advancing students and performing musicians who need durability and tonal consistency night after night.

Vintage instruments — Earlier Ramírez guitars, particularly from the golden period of José Ramírez III (1950s–1980s), are among the most historically significant instruments in the classical guitar world. A prime 1960s or 1970s Ramírez 1a in good condition represents both a playing instrument and a serious collector's piece.

The Segovia Connection

Segovia had played a Hauser I for decades when José Ramírez III approached him in the early 1960s. After years of collaboration, Ramírez delivered a cedar-top guitar in 1969 that Segovia adopted immediately. He used it for the last decades of his performing life, and the recording of the Concierto de Aranjuez that introduced millions of people to the classical guitar was made on a Ramírez. The endorsement transformed the workshop's international reputation and, along with it, the market for Spanish classical guitars worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Ramírez 1a guitar?

The Ramírez 1a (Primera) is the workshop's top concert instrument — fully handmade, with individually selected tonewoods and the highest level of craftsmanship the workshop offers. It is the instrument serious performers choose when they want a Ramírez.

Are vintage Ramírez guitars better than new ones?

Different rather than better. Vintage instruments from the Ramírez III era have historical significance and the tonal maturity that comes from decades of playing. New instruments offer the reliability of current construction and materials. Both can be excellent; the choice depends on what you value.

What strings does a Ramírez guitar use?

Ramírez guitars are strung with standard classical guitar nylon strings. The workshop has historically recommended higher-tension strings than many other makers, reflecting the somewhat longer scale (often 664–665 mm) used in traditional Ramírez construction.

Browse José Ramírez Guitars

Vintage and current instruments, all assessed by experts and filmed in full. 14-day home trial, worldwide insured shipping. Browse José Ramírez guitars or speak to our team.