Manuel Ramirez – ca. 1900

Description

Manuel Ramirez (1864-1916) is one of the most important luthiers of guitar history. In his workshop in Madrid he trained and inspired many now-legendary luthiers such as Santos Hernandez, Enrique Garcia, Domingo Esteso, Modesto Borreguero, Antonio Emilio Pascual Viudes and José Gomez-Ramirez. His legacy can be found in almost all modern guitar-making branches. From South America with his employee Antonio Emilio Pascual Viudes (1883-1959), who migrated to Buenos Aires before the first world war, to the French school of guitar making with Julian Gomez Ramirez (1879-1943), who brought the Spanish guitar to Paris and taught the famous French luthier Robert Bouchet (1898-1986); the Barcelonian aesthetic with Enrique Garcia (1868-1922) or the following of the Madrid sound ideal with Santos Hernandez (1874-1943) and Domingo Esteso (1882–1937). It is also interesting to note that Manuel Ramirez strongly inspired cutting-edge German luthiers Matthias Damman and Gernot Wagner’s headstock shape and, more generally, the German classical guitar-making philosophy that started with the collaboration of Andrés Segovia (1893-1987) and Hermann Hauser I (1882-1952) in the 1920s, happened around Segovia’s more than famous Manuel Ramirez made in 1912.

Manuel Ramirez’s design is sober yet precise and delicate, with just enough elaboration to make it precious yet enough free space to admire the quality of the wood and set the standard for generations to come. Moreover, he was one of the first luthiers in Madrid to truly understand the legacy of Antonio de Torres (1817-1892), both in terms of aesthetics and sound. From the many Torres guitars that still can be found with Manuel Ramirez’s repair label inside, it is clear that M. Ramirez studied Antonio de Torres’s instruments on many occasions. The real genius was Ramirez’s ability to grasp their essence and express it in his own way. As a result, his instruments are well-proportioned full-size concert guitars with a responsive, deeply tuned soundboard, rich, complex tone, and outstanding craftsmanship.

A centenarian in its right, this instrument resonates not just with music but with the rich tapestry of its storied past. Its impeccable condition, despite its age, speaks volumes of its enduring quality and the care with which it has been treasured over the years.

Minor signs of wear and the delicate marks that grace its surface narrate tales of melodies played, fingers danced, and souls serenaded. Yet, miraculously, it remains free from any repaired cracks, a true rarity for an instrument of its age.

One of its standout features is the shorter 620mm scale, paired with a slender body profile, making it a delight to cradle and play. This design, deviating from the standard, offers unparalleled comfort and ease, inviting players to lose themselves in its melodies.

Sonically, this guitar is an auditory voyage to yesteryears. It encapsulates the quintessential Spanish charm, sensitive, profound, and imbued with a character that only time can bestow. Every note played echoes the delicate nuances of the old-world Spanish tradition, evoking emotions and memories with its hauntingly beautiful timbre.

In the world of classical guitars, this instrument is not merely a tool for music but a living relic. It holds within its strings and wood the essence of classical guitar-making history, offering a unique blend of heritage, artistry, and unmatched musicality. An acquisition of this guitar isn’t just an addition to one’s collection; it’s an embrace of history, craftsmanship, and timeless music.