2020 Paolo Coriani "Manuel Ramirez" SP/CSAR

This guitar by Italian luthier Paolo Coriani is an exquisitely made instrument in the style of Manuel Ramirez - one of the makers (or rather "workshops") who has had a very large influence on Coriani's work. Paolo has made detailed drawings and measurements of a total of 17 Manuel Ramirez guitars that have come through his shop over the years. Of these, he has had the opportunity to fully restore 6 instruments, thereby gaining greater access to their interior structure, style of build and in general, the musical spirit of these guitars. While completing construction of one of these models we had in the past, Coriani was at the same time restoring a 1917 Viuda de Manuel Ramirez (likely built by Santos Hernandez), so he used the fan brace shapes, dimensions and positions of the original for this guitar. The resulting sound is plump, round and very full with clean separation between voices. It has a romantic, lyrical quality to it, much like the original instruments from the Ramirez shop. Playability is easy with a lovely, smooth neck. Materials are top-quality, with a well-aged and beautiful set of CSA rosewood for the back and sides. Fit and finish of the guitar are extremely well done - the French polish has an almost mirror-like quality to it. A very fine concert instrument by any standard, this guitar will work beautifully in front of both microphone and audience of any sized venue.

Orfeo Magazine #13 – Lodi, Bottelli, Coriani, Peruffo