1897 Jose Ramirez I SP/CY

This is a beautiful, smaller sized cypress guitar from the shop of Jose Ramirez I and was built at a time when Jose I had been an independent guitar maker for 15 years (his workshop was established in 1882). Aesthetically the guitar shows the strong influence of his teacher, Francisco Gonzalez - particularly in the head shape, wide (and ornately decorated) rosette, and pointed bridge. It has had a number of repairs, primarily to the soundboard and an inlay on the back, and yet the sound and playability is all still there - absolutely charming and elegant in every way. This instrument was one that Russell Cleveland was particularly fond of, and was prominently featured on the cover of the hardbound cover of the book "The Classical Guitar - A Complete History."