1973 Jose Ramirez "2a" CD/CSAR (ex Jorge Morel)

This guitar was built in the famous Jose Ramirez III workshop, which for over half a century has produced instruments performed on by countless professionals from Sting to Segovia, Chet Atkins to Sabicas and Lee Ritenour to Christopher Parkening.

The "2a" models are pretty much identical to the standard "1a" model in all ways, the Ramirez shop claimed back in the day that the lower price tag was due to either using materials that may have minor aesthetic blemishes, such as small knots, or what in Spain are called "cocas" (darker areas of resin concentration in the grain), or if they were built by an apprentice and not a foreman. However, many decades of discussion has led to the conclusion by players that a great 2a is identical to a great 1a. The tone and workmanship are first-class, and this guitar offers a sound that is on par with the best that the Ramirez workshop has to to offer. This guitar in particular has an astonishingly beautiful set of CSA rosewood for the back and sides. The tone is thick yet clear, and has that essential warm, mysterious and moody quality that made Ramirez famous. It is in great condition for its age with one spliced crack in the top (reinforced internally with a wooden patch), as well as one small repair to the back (invisible from the outside) and one repair to the top on the side of the fingerboard. The soundboard was also refinished. This guitar was originally owned by the great Jorge Morel and included with the guitar is a bill of sale from 1979, signed by Morel. Otherwise, this is an excellent example of a fine Ramirez for the active concert player or recording artist.

For more information on Ramirez, be sure to read The Ramirez Family: Masters of the Guitar, or for information on the Ramirez family members, from Amalia Ramirez back to Jose I and for some interesting fact-checking on myths and facts about this legendary workshop.