1992 Jose Ramirez "1a Da Camara" SP/CSAR

This guitar was built in the famous Jose Ramirez 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.

This is a great example of a classic longscale Ramirez 1a from 1992. It is in excellent condition with only minor playing wear, and has gorgeous materials including a dramatic set of CSA for the back and sides. The dot on the headstock immediately indicates that this is one of the "da camara" models - which features a wooden "shelf" attached to the sides of the interior of the guitar and extends the entire perimeter of the plantilla. The original idea, as developed by Jose Ramirez III, was as a technique to clean the guitar up of any "wolf" tones. Indeed Ramirez was satisfied that the da camara assisted in this effort but also claimed that it enhanced the power and clarity of the instrument. Many players have debated the effects of this element but in the end, everyone agrees that these are great instruments! And we would say this is true of this very fine example.

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.