2020 Paolo Coriani "Manuel Ramirez" SP/CSAR

This 2020 Paolo Coriani "Manuel Ramirez" is a classical guitar with a spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides, built in Modena, Italy, with bracing taken from a 1917 Viuda de Manuel Ramírez guitar that Paolo was restoring at the time.

Inspired by Manuel Ramírez

This guitar by Italian luthier Paolo Coriani is an exquisitely made instrument in the style of Manuel Ramírez – one of the makers (or rather "workshops") that has had a very large influence on Coriani's work. Paolo has made detailed drawings and measurements of 17 Manuel Ramírez guitars that have come through his shop over the years. Of these, he has had the opportunity to fully restore 6, gaining greater access to their interior structure, their style of build and, in general, the musical spirit of these guitars.

Bracing from a 1917 Viuda de Manuel Ramírez

While completing this guitar, Coriani was at the same time restoring a 1917 Viuda de Manuel Ramírez (likely built by Santos Hernández), so he used the fan brace shapes, dimensions and positions of the original for this guitar.

Sound and Playability

The resulting sound is plump, round and very full, with clean separation between voices. It has a romantic, lyrical quality, much like the original instruments from the Ramírez shop. Playability is easy, with a lovely, smooth neck.

Materials, Finish and Condition

Materials are top quality, with a well-aged and beautiful set of CSA rosewood for the back and sides. Fit and finish are extremely well done – the French polish has an almost mirror-like quality. Although used, the guitar is in excellent condition with only a few small blemishes in the finish. A very fine concert instrument by any standard, this guitar will work beautifully in front of both microphone and audience in any size venue.

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

Paolo Coriani: Italian Guitar Maker in Modena

Italian luthier Paolo Coriani apprenticed at the Masetti workshop in Modena from 1975 to 1980 and has built under his own name in Modena ever since. Meeting the French guitarist and maker Cristian Aubin – and his 1867 Torres – sparked a lifelong interest in late 19th-century Spanish guitars, and after a 1993 course with José Luis Romanillos his work turned decisively towards traditional Spanish methods.

Manuel Ramírez, Hauser and Torres Models

In 2002 Paolo built his first copy of an 1890 Manuel Ramírez guitar, and since then he has also studied instruments by Hermann Hauser I and Antonio de Torres. His prizes include first prize and the "Baveno" award at the first International Classical Guitar Making Competition in Baveno (1993), and he has lectured on guitar making and historical instruments since 1986.