2016 José Ramírez "1a C650-AP" SP/CSAR

Year	2016
Top	Spruce
Back & Sides	CSA Rosewood
Scale Length	650 mm
Nut width	52 mm
Finish	Lacquer
Country	Spain
Luthier	Amalia Ramirez

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The soubdboard and rosette of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The back and sides of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

Detailed closeup of the rosette of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The headstock and tuning machines of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The bridge, tie-block and saddle of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The front of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The side of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The back of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The rosette of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The headstock of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

The label of a 2016 Jose Ramirez "1a C650-AP" classical guitar made of spruce and CSA rosewood

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Description

This 2016 José Ramírez "1a C650-AP" is a classical guitar with a spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides, made in Madrid in the José Ramírez workshop under the direction of Amalia Ramírez – the top-grade "1a" model with a 650mm scale.

From the José Ramírez Workshop, Directed by Amalia Ramírez

This guitar comes from the famous José Ramírez workshop – today directed by Amalia Ramírez – whose instruments have been played by countless professionals over more than half a century, from Segovia and Sabicas to Sting, Chet Atkins, Lee Ritenour and Christopher Parkening.

The Ramírez "1a": Primera Quality

This model is the famously designated "1a", which stands for "primera" in Spanish, and means "1st" or "highest" quality. The 1a Traditional represents top quality in workmanship, detail and choice of wood. They are truly outstanding performance instruments by any standard and have the unmistakable color and warmth of tone that we normally associate with a great Ramírez.

Playability, Materials and Details

Playability is a breeze and is reminiscent of the Madrid guitars of the 1950s for the sleek and comfortable neck shape. For attention to detail, quality of construction and sound, we rate this instrument very highly. This model features a particularly striking and beautiful set of rosewood for the back and sides. It has one of their classic rosettes and purflings, which are absolutely stunning.

To learn more about the family and its workshop, read The Ramirez Family: Masters of the Guitar, our history of the family from Amalia Ramirez back to Jose I, and myths and facts about this legendary workshop.

Background

The José Ramírez Workshop of Madrid

Founded in Madrid in 1882 by José Ramírez I, the Ramírez workshop has produced guitars for more than a century and through five generations of the family. José Ramírez III (1922–1995) took over as maestro in 1957 and developed the Ramírez concert guitar we know today – large in body, with a long string length and a cedar or spruce top, with great power, sustain, sweetness and balance across the entire register. He popularized western red cedar as a soundboard wood, and from the 1960s Andrés Segovia played José Ramírez guitars to the end of his days.

Ramírez Craftsmen and the Next Generations

From the 1960s to the 1990s the workshop trained many of the most talented guitarreros of the day, among them Paulino Bernabé and Manuel Contreras. In 1995 the shop moved from Calle Concepción Jerónima 2 to Calle de la Paz 8, and since the death of José Ramírez IV in June 2000 the business has been directed by his sister, Amalia Ramírez, who inspects every guitar during and after construction.