José Ramirez 1a 1968

José Ramírez III, born in 1922, joined his family’s guitar-making business in 1940. His relentless pursuit of enhancing the classical guitar’s volume and tonal quality led him to challenge traditional designs. One of his most notable innovations was the introduction of red cedar for the soundboard in 1965, a departure from the conventional use of spruce.

This choice contributed to a warmer, richer tone and has since been widely adopted by luthiers worldwide. Additionally, he experimented with longer scale lengths, settling on 664 mm to improve sound projection—a feature evident in the 1a models from this period.

This 1a model is in great condition, showing just standard wear without breaks or cracks. A serious guitar with excellent tone and projection.

SPECIFICATIONS

Top: Solid Red Cedar
Back and Sides: Rosewood
Body Construction: Larger and thicker design for enhanced volume and tonal depth
Neck: Thicker construction for robustness
Scale Length: 664 mm
Nut Width: 54 mm
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bracing: Asymmetrical design
Finish: Urea-formaldehyde-based varnish
Tuning Machines: High-quality, traditionally designed for precise tuning stability