José Ramirez – 1979 Flamenca No. 13169

Description

The Ramirez family has been building fine, high-quality guitars since 1882. Their instruments have been and are still played by some of the world’s greatest guitarists, such as Julian Bream, Andres Segovia, Laurindo Almeida, Oscar Ghiglia, Jose Luis Gonzales, and many others. Thus, the Ramirez dynasty, now spanning five generations, is an essential element in the history of classical guitar making. It began with Jose Ramirez I (1858-1923), who trained many guitar makers in his workshop in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Among these illustrious luthiers are Enrique Garcia, Julian Gomez Ramirez, Antonio Viudes and many others. They were followed by José Ramirez II (1885-1957), José Ramirez III (1922-1995), José Ramirez IV (1953 – 2000) and Amalia Ramirez (1955 – present).

José Ramirez III (1922-1995) was a pioneer of cedar tops for guitars. His instruments gained international fame in the 1960s through Andrés Segovia and his many students. Starting in 1965, José Ramirez III began developing a new instrument built with a top made of Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and featuring double sides (rosewood and cypress). This revolutionary new way of building guitars and the use of this innovative type of wood spread very quickly in the guitar world. In addition, Andrés Segovia played several J. Ramirez III as his main concert instrument. He played four instruments over an extended period of time [1962 (but dated 1963), Spruce, 1965, 1967, 1969 (all three cedar)].

The 1979 José Ramirez III Flamenco Guitar No. 13169, known for its excellent craftsmanship and unparalleled sound quality, is a highly sought-after instrument in the flamenco music world. As an integral part of José Ramirez’s legacy, this guitar combines superb performance with a captivating aesthetic. This specific guitar flaunts an exquisitely crafted Cypress back and sides that lend it a beautiful, natural look. The guitar also features a highly responsive cedar top, ensuring it not only looks great but sounds fantastic too. The incorporation of these tonewoods aids in achieving a robust and bright sound characteristic of traditional flamenco guitars. Despite being over four decades old, this José Ramirez III Flamenco Guitar No. 13169 remains in a remarkable condition, bearing only minimal signs of play, such as superficial playing marks. This endurance testifies to the durability and quality of the materials and the craftsmanship of Ramirez guitars. Moreover, the cedar soundboard bears the number 16 underneath, which shows that Pedro Jiménez Posadas built the guitar. This model is equipped with Peghead tuning machines, ensuring a seamless and smooth tuning experience. These precision tuners provide stability and ease-of-use, thereby improving the overall playing experience and the guitarist’s performance. In terms of performance, this guitar produces a rich, powerful sound with a fast attack, making it an ideal instrument for flamenco players. The quick response and big sound of this guitar help flamenco guitarists deliver passionate, lively performances, capturing the true essence of flamenco music.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.