Manuel Ramirez
|
|
Model: Manuel Ramirez Spanish guitar Top: German Spruce Back and Sides: Spanish Cypress Scale: 648mm Nut: 48mm Finish: French polish Tuners: pegs Country: Spain Year: c.1900 Condition: Very good Location: France Price: SOLD Manuel Ramirez (1864-1916) in his time was far more famous a guitar maker than was his brother, José Ramirez I (1858-1923), the founder of the Ramirez dynasty. Manuel trained a generation of great luthiers: Enrique Garcia, Santos Hernandez, Modesto Borreguero, and Domingo Esteso, and is also remembered for his gift of a fabulous classical guitar to a young Andrés Segovia in 1912. Manuel learned his craft from his brother José, who had been taught by Francisco González (c1818-c1880). In 1882, José and Manuel opened their workshop in the Rastro of Madrid, on Cava Baja. Around 1890, Manuel decided to go out on his own, which led to a rift so deep that they never spoke again. In 1893, Manuel won a medal at the Chicago Fair for his work. In 1897, Ramirez moved his shop to Arlabán 10; and, in 1911 to Arlabán 11, where it remained until the death of his widow in 1920. This flamenco guitar was probably made some between 1897 and 1903, for by 1904 Manuel had been appointed as the luthier for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, a fact that afterwards he advertised on his labels. This spanish guitar has cypress back and sides, German spruce top, and scale of 648mm. It weights almost nothing. The action is a flamenco player's dream. It is easy to see why flamenco players loved this sort of guitar, it balances easily on ones knee, and fits comfortably against one's chest when playing. Condition wise, the guitar is in very good condition. There is a little crack on the top that has been repaired, and another small repaired crack on the side. The action is very flamenco. |
