Ramirez Concert Flamenco Classical 1963

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This Jose Ramirez Concert Flamenco was built in 1963. For it's age, the condition is outstanding. There are a smattering of extremely minor blemishes, none significant enough to warrant description. Playing wear is as good as none existent. There are no cracks, splits or warps. There is no crazing or dulling of the laquer. Beautiful straight grain cypress for back and sides and spruce top with interesting flecks of bear claw. Rosewood pegs. Standard 655 scale, comfortable action. Very typically Ramirez tone with the bite, growl and sparkle of a much newer instrument. There is no individual makers mark on the heel block. It comes with the original hard case. The label is small, gold bordered and at that time, along with the light blue bordered label, denoted a top quality model. For the avoidance of misunderstanding, it was later in the 60's that the 1a and 2a classification was introduced. The following letter from an authority on these matters clarifies the situation regarding labeling. ----------------------------------- Thanks for your letter. I know the Ramirez shop itself makes that claim, but the evidence I have is contradictory. As you mention it is a 2a, I assume you are saying this because it has the gold bordered label rather than the light blue bordered label? They did not begin actually listing the classification until 1967, when the labels were extended to include a serial number, classification and Ramirez III's signature. The gold bordered label was an earlier version, which was also printed using some red and blue colors, an expensive process to print a label. The shop redesigned the label to use only the blue border and black printing, a less costly process, and during the early 60's both labels were used indiscriminately, as supplies lasted of the earlier version, there being no significance to either. Regardng apprentices, the instruments were made by a variety of hands in the shop, and usually (but not always), the assembler would stamp their initials inside the guitar on the foot. Any work done by apprentices would have been limited to more menial tasks such as bending sides, preparing rosette materials and purflings, fitting up nuts and saddles, etc. Apprentices would never have been allowed to make a guitar from start to finish, the shop has never operated in that manner. I have a letter from Jose Ramirez himself written to me in 1967 stating he only makes one model, the finest (the 1a), so the factors that later caused Ramirez to offer guitars officially designated as 2a's beginning in 1973, were not being considered in 1963. It is true that once the second extension of the label was added in 1967, an occasional instrument would get the classification of "2a" due to some defect, such as a repaired crack under the finish. Bottom line, you can assume any Ramirez made IN THEIR SHOP (which excludes all subcontract and student models) prior to 1967 is a 1a despite the information circulating on the internet and even on the Ramirez website. I believe Amalia relied on outside incorrect information in posting this to their web site. At any rate, there is no one left at the Ramirez shop who was actively working there and knows about the situation in 1963, and Amalia herself threw away enormous amounts of valuable old records when they moved the shop to Calle de la Paz from the old Concepcion Jeronima address. I know because I had to make copies of the old Manuel and Jose I catalogs for her when she wanted to have a book about the Ramirez collection in their museum which is being written in England right now. I had the only remaining copies of these catalogs in existence.As for who actually made your guitar, I suggest you take it to any of the dealers who tout the values of certain initials as being of greater value than others. If what they say is true, they should have no problem to identify the actual maker despite the absence of the initials, as it should be self evident by the work itself. Otherwise, why tout initials if y... read more

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