1989 Jose Ramirez "1a" CD/IN (ex Gianvito Pulzone)

Possibly one of the most played and known of any Spanish made guitar in history, the Ramirez 1a model continues to satisfy players as a truly outstanding performance instrument by any standard. This particular guitar was built with "almost" all the same specs as the traditional 1a guitars that came before it, however - instead of the cypress lining to the inside of the sides, it instead features a band of mahogany (about half the depth of the box) which circumnavigates the sides, attached at the soundboard lining. This guitar was originally owned by Gianvito Pulzone, member of the "Guitart Quartet" in Italy (who also, as a soloist, was the only Italian guitarist to make it to the final round of the 2020 Latin Grammys with his CD dedicated to Leo Brouwer), who spoke about this model with Carmelo Llerena many years ago (who was then the first official in the Ramirez shop) and was told that it was one of a series that would ultimately lead to the development of the Especial model (which has no lining to the sides at all). The idea was to add back a bit more of the vibrational body resonance to the sound to achieve a more old-world, traditional sound as an alternative to the more focused, sturdy and "boxey" sound of the cypress lined guitars. To our ears it simply sounds like a great Ramirez, with that immediately identifiable, classic sound that only comes from this famous workshop. For attention to detail, quality of construction and sound, we rate this instrument very highly. This 1989 model is in great condition, with one repaired crack on the top (which has been taken into pricing consideration), conservatively done by Andrea Tacchi. Otherwise it has some normal, superficial wear in the finish from years of regular use.

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.