Julian Gomez Ramirez – 1938 “Buena Epoca” No. 318

Description

Julián Gómez Ramírez was born in Madrid in 1879. At the early age of 13, he started working in Augustín Andrés’ workshop. In 1910, Julián entered the workshop of José Ramirez I where he worked for four years. He finally moved to Paris in 1914, where he became the first representative of the Spanish guitar-making in France. This new way of building guitars was particularly appreciated as the Spanish fan-braced guitars were richer and more powerful than the small-bodied romantic guitars, whose popularity had decreased a lot with the immense success of the piano in the Parisian salons. In 1938, Robert Bouchet visited Julián Gómez Ramírez’ workshop as a customer. Quickly, the two men became friends and J. G. Ramirez taught R. Bouchet the art of the lutherie, founding the pillars of the French twentieth-century school of guitar making.

This wonderful Julian Gomez Ramirez guitar has a remarkable history. It was built in 1938 for Jean Kegham Devedjian and was owned by the Devejian family until recently. The family members themselves did not play the guitar and so it rested untouched in its case until lately. Therefore, this guitar is in exceptional condition. Because it has not seen daylight for decades and therefore has not reacted with UV light, the spruce top has a comparatively light color that is most likely very close to its original hue.

In addition, this guitar has only one fine hairline crack on the back, which is not unusual for an 80-year-old instrument and is harmless. A few older playing marks also attest to the fact that it was played a long time ago and add to the charm of this amazingly well-preserved instrument. Finally, the inscription “Buena Epoca” on the label is, to our knowledge, unique. It illustrates the high importance of this instrument and makes it an absolute rarity.

Just as with its “sister”, the guitar with the number 317, the sound of this guitar is a true phenomenon. The energy and dynamics of the sound, as well as the noble and profound tone, give the feeling of traveling back in time, offering an impression of how Gomez Ramirez guitars might have sounded just a few years after leaving the master’s workshop. Playing this guitar is truly a fascinating experience, inspiring and moving at the same time.