Ramirez 1a Brazilian Rosewood-1973

Description

1973 José Ramírez I (1A) – Brazilian Rosewood – Signed by José Ramírez III

An extraordinary example of the legendary Ramírez I model from Madrid’s golden era, this 1973 José Ramírez 1A is crafted with solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides, one of the rarest and most revered tonewoods ever used in classical guitar making.

Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) has been internationally restricted for decades and is no longer legally available for new instruments. Its presence places this guitar among a finite, irreplaceable group of historic concert guitars, celebrated for their unmatched depth, clarity, sustain, and harmonic complexity—qualities modern alternatives cannot replicate.

This instrument is in impeccable, museum-level condition, exceptionally well preserved and showing none of the issues often found in guitars of this age. It has recently received a complete professional setup by a qualified luthier, ensuring perfect playability, ideal action, precise intonation, and full structural integrity. It is fully concert-ready.

Adding to its historical and collectible importance, the guitar bears the original handwritten signature of José Ramírez III, the master luthier whose work defined the modern Ramírez sound and elevated the classical guitar to its contemporary concert form.

The Ramírez 1A is not merely a fine instrument—it is a cornerstone of classical guitar history. Guitars from this lineage were played on the world’s most important stages and featured on landmark recordings by the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

The Ramírez tradition is closely associated with legendary artists such as:
• Andrés Segovia, whose collaboration with José Ramírez III shaped the modern concert guitar
• Julian Bream, who brought Ramírez guitars to international prominence
• Narciso Yepes, deeply connected to Ramírez and pivotal in expanding the guitar’s expressive range
• Paco de Lucía, who performed early in his career on Ramírez guitars, bridging classical construction with flamenco fire

The 1970s Ramírez 1A is especially prized for its bold, authoritative voice—powerful, resonant basses, singing trebles, and exceptional projection suited for large halls. Decades of natural aging have further refined its tone into something only time can create.

A rare opportunity to acquire a historically significant, impeccably preserved, Brazilian-rosewood Ramírez 1A signed by José Ramírez III—an instrument equally worthy of the world’s great stages and the most serious collections.

Sold with a solid hardcase