About the luthier
Jos Ramrez III was one of the defining figures of twentieth century classical guitar making. Born in 1922, he assumed leadership of the historic Ramrez workshop in Madrid in 1957 and guided it through a period of unprecedented international influence. Under his direction, the Ramrez guitar became a global reference for concert instruments, shaping the sound and physical concept of the modern classical guitar for several decades.
Beyond his own instruments, Jos Ramrez III played a decisive role as a teacher and mentor. His workshop trained an exceptional number of highly influential luthiers who later established their own successful careers, making the Ramrez atelier one of the most important centres of guitar making in history. His willingness to experiment, most notably with cedar soundboards and extended string lengths, left a lasting imprint on the development of the concert guitar. Historical context based on The Classical Guitar: A Complete History, Balafon Books, 1997.
About the guitar
This Jos Ramrez III classical guitar from 1985 represents a mature example of the traditional 1A model as it was produced during the later decades of the workshops most influential period. Built with a cedar soundboard and Indian rosewood back and sides, the guitar reflects the characteristic Ramrez aesthetic and construction philosophy of the time. The polyurethane finish, typical for this era, provides durability while supporting a stable and direct tonal response.
Tonally, the instrument offers a clearly Spanish sound character with a strong and centred fundamental. The trebles are bell like and articulate, standing out for their clarity and singing quality, while the basses provide a firm and supportive foundation without becoming diffuse. One of the defining qualities of this guitar is its excellent separation of voices. Each note maintains its own presence, allowing polyphonic textures to unfold with precision and coherence. The overall response is confident and stable, making the instrument particularly suitable for repertoire that demands clarity, projection, and a distinctly traditional concert voice.
Condition
The guitar is in excellent condition. The fretboard was replaced at some point due to normal wear. According to the original owner, this work was carried out in the Ramrez workshop, although the original invoice is no longer available. Apart from this intervention, the instrument shows only minor signs of careful use and remains structurally sound.
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