Flamenco guitar Manuel Ramírez 1895-1905

This flamenco guitar was built by the legendary master luthier Manuel Ramírez. Manuel Ramírez learned the profession of luthier from his elder brother, José Ramírez I. Around 1891, aged 27, de decided to set his own business. At first, he had in mind to settle in Paris, and after he told José, the latter helped the former to make his project come true. For an unknown reason, Manuel changed his mind and turned out settling in 24 Cava Baja Street, Madrid. This move started an argument between brothers which would never be solved. After some time in Cava Baja St, Manuel moved to 5 Santa Ana Square, and he would further move to 10 Arlaban St, where he would finally remain. He attained great prestige quite soon, not only as a guitar maker, but also making violins, and some other stringed instruments. He was designated luthier of the Madrid´s Royal Conservatory. Also, he continued the school of luthiers started by his brother, being in charge of the teaching of some of the most important luthiers ever, such as Santos Hernández, Domingo Esteso or Modesto Borreguero.

This guitar was made by Manuel Ramírez between 1895 and 1905, intending to make a replica of the guitar of the first period by Mr Antonio de Torres. It can be easily inferred by observing some details of inner making, as well as in the rosette, bridge and fingerboard. Although the sides of this instruments are quite damaged, they are now brilliantly restored by the craftsman Francisco Sánchez. The top and bottom are in optimal condition, so we would like to remark the fact that we are before an instrument which is perfectly fit to be played at the highest level, with no need whatsoever to be afraid of a low stability or integrity. As a curiosity, we would like to say that we found this guitar in France, and it has a small label of the instrument store where it was sold: an important store in Toulouse which was open until 1920.

Despite looking like a simple guitar at first sight, if we observe the quality of the wood employed and the making details, we do realize it is not a simple instrument. Its sound is just magical, completely away from the current stereotypes. From the very first moment we make it sound, we know we are before something else. The dimension of its sound is difficult to describe with just words. The warmth and sweetness of its sound timbre are only matched by Torres´ guitars. An inspiring sound which encourages us to dream of it, through the works of composers such as Tárrega, Falla o Llobet.