José Ramírez II (1885–1957) was the second master of the José Ramírez workshop in Madrid. Son of José Ramírez I and father of José Ramírez III, he spent nearly 20 years as a guitarist in South America, then ran the family workshop from 1925, winning a Gold Medal at the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in Seville.
At a Glance
- Born: 1885
- Died: 1957
- Workshop: José Ramírez, Concepción Jerónima, Madrid (in charge from 1925)
- Trained: in his father's shop, with his uncle Manuel Ramírez, Enrique García and Julián Gómez
- Prize: Gold Medal, Ibero-American Exposition, Seville, 1929
- Workshop team: Alfonso Benito, Antonio Gómez, Marcelo Barbero (apprentice)
- Family: son of José Ramírez I; father of José Ramírez III and Alfredo Ramírez
Growing Up in the Ramírez Workshop
José Simón Ramírez de Galarreta y Pernías (José II; 1885–1957) was born in 1885. He grew up in his father's shop, where he not only learned the trade from his father, but from journeymen like his uncle Manuel and other legendary luthiers like Enrique García and Julián Gómez. Besides being a guitar maker, he was a guitarist, and when he was 20 years old, he was hired to go on a two-year tour of South America.
Twenty Years in South America
He found it very difficult to convince his father to let him accept the contract, but finally he convinced him that two years was not such a long time. However, the tour was prolonged, and the two years turned into almost 20 years, long after the group he traveled with had dissolved. José stayed abroad in Buenos Aires, where he met the girl who would later become his wife, and who had traveled from Spain to Argentina with her family. José and his wife had two children, José Ramírez III and Alfredo Ramírez.
Maestro of the Ramírez Workshop in Madrid
In 1923, he received the news of his father's death and returned to Madrid with his family. Two years later he was in charge of the Ramírez workshop on Concepción Jerónima. He was on the first floor of the shop and was assisted by Jesús Martínez, as well as Alfonso Benito and Antonio Gómez as journeymen, and Marcelo Barbero, who was still an apprentice at the time. Manuel Rodríguez, nicknamed "Marequi", was there applying varnish but not as a guitar maker. His son, Manuel Rodríguez, would later become a guitar-builder's apprentice.
By the end of his life the guitars of José II already showed the growing influence of Manuel Ramírez over the Francisco González-inspired style of José I – in the plantilla, the internal bracing and even decorative decisions (see our 1956 José Ramírez II). Important makers working in the shop in his last years included Paulino Bernabé, Marcelo Barbero, Manuel Rodríguez and his son José III, who took over the running of the shop in 1957.
Gold Medal in Seville and the Civil War Years
José Ramírez II was a Maestro recognized for his work, and in 1929 he participated in the Ibero-American Exposition of Seville, where he was awarded the Gold Medal. In 1936, due to the many problems brought on by the Spanish Civil War, he had great difficulty in getting wood and materials for the construction of guitars. This situation lasted a long time, which hindered his work considerably. These shortages were often a topic of discussion with his son, José III, when he became a journeyman and began to do his own experiments.
José Ramírez II Guitars at GSI
A number of José Ramírez II guitars have passed through our doors over the years. You'll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the "Guitars In Stock" button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the "Guitars In Museum" button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was José Ramírez II?
The second master of the José Ramírez workshop in Madrid (1885–1957), son of José Ramírez I and father of José Ramírez III.
When did José Ramírez II run the Ramírez workshop?
From 1925, after returning from almost 20 years in South America, until his death in 1957.
Which prize did José Ramírez II win?
The Gold Medal at the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in Seville.
