José Ramírez (luthier)

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José Ramírez (1858–1923) was a Spanish luthier, the founder of Ramírez Guitars and of the Spanish luthier dynasty who continue to run it. His grandson José Ramírez III was in turn head of the company, and a noted innovator who made significant changes to the classical guitar.

Luthier person making or repairing string musical instruments

A luthier is someone who builds or repairs string instruments generally consisting of a neck and a sound box. The word "luthier" comes from the French word luth, which means lute. A luthier was originally a maker of lutes, but the term now includes makers of stringed instruments such as the violin or guitar. A luthier does not make harps or pianos, as these require different skills and construction methods because their strings are secured to a frame.

Ramírez Guitars

Ramírez Guitars is a Spanish manufacturer of professional, concert-quality classical and flamenco guitars. Five generations of the Ramírez family have produced Ramirez Guitars.

José Ramírez III (1922–1995) was a luthier and the grandson of José Ramírez, founder of Ramírez Guitars. He was responsible for major changes both to the company and to the classical guitars it produces.

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Early life

Ramírez was the first child of José Ramírez de Galarreta, a very well-off land owner. In 1870, he became apprenticed to Francisco Gonzalez (1830–1880). In 1890, he opened his shop in Madrid; Ramírez Guitars would continue to operate from these premises until 1995.

Ramírez' work generally followed the designs of Antonio Torres (1817–1892) in all respects except one: He produced a larger flamenco guitar known as the tablao guitar. Both this innovation and the quality of his guitars generally were favourably received, but he is chiefly remembered as the founder of the dynasty of luthiers and the guitar manufacturing company that still bears his name.

Several other luthiers learned the art of making classical guitars from José Ramírez, inter alia Paulino Bernabe Senior. [1]

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Paulino Bernabe Senior was a Spanish luthier.

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References

  1. Ramírez, Amalia (August 2000). "Inicials[sic] of the disciples of José Ramírez III". José Ramírez. Madrid. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2016.