1965 Jose Ramirez "1aF AM" CD/CY

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. It is stamped internally with the builder's initials, "AM" (Antonio Martinez), the same maker who built Ramirez guitars for Segovia and Parkening (For a complete list of Ramirez luthiers from this era, click here), and is similar in design to the Ramirez that Sabicas would use later in his career. This is an extraordinary example of an older concert flamenco from the golden era of Ramirez, and is in incredible condition - with no damage or repairs. It is lightweight and comfortable, with a dry and aggressive old-world flamenco sound. An excellent example of a fine Ramirez for either collector or concert player. Of note - this was built the very first year that Ramirez made cedar-tops available to the public.

This is one of the last three guitars to leave the Cleveland collection. Click here for the story!

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.

From the Russell Cleveland collection. Featured on pages 88-89 of the book "The Classical Guitar - A Complete History."