Ramirez 1a Concert Classical Long Scale Guitar, 1980 [USED]

This Ramirez 1a Concert Classical Long Scale guitar built during 1980, during the 'golden era' of Jose Ramirez III’s leadership of the Ramirez workshop at Concepcion Jeronima No. 2 in Madrid, Spain. 

This well-used instrument features a long scale of 665mm or 26.18 inches, intended to provide increased volume and projection for the professional concert performer.  Originally owned by prominent guitar teacher Eli Kassner, and an 'on hand' instrument, it was played by many touring artists when they visited his home.  

This guitar has been heavily played over the years,  and has had three back crack repairs, which are not immediately visible.  There are also three cleats inside the top around the fingerboard extension on the body, surrounding the builder's stamp.  That stamp reads '18', and identifies the builder as Manuel Alonso Gimenez.   

The top has a fair number of markings caused by honest play wear.

A period, brown wedge-shaped hard shell case is included, with both hinges and clasps working.

Materials and Construction 

With Jose Ramirez III leading the workshop, this Ramirez 1a Concert Classical Long Scale uses traditional slipper foot construction. This method defines the tradition that countless other builders follow, with the slipper foot join integrating the sides and neck for maximum resonance and response.

This Ramirez 1a Concert Classical Long Scale uses the Red Cedar top pioneered by Jose Ramirez III, paired with a lovely set of Indian Rosewood for the sides, back, head plate and bridge. The sides include another Ramirez innovation, having an interior lining of Cypress. This decreases the production of 'wolf tones' when the guitar is played at performance volumes. While this is in the strictest sense a lamination, it is not at all the same as the 'laminated woods' found in many electric arch-top or lower end nylon or steel string acoustic instruments. 

The neck is Cedro or Spanish Cedar, Cedrela Odorata, which despite the name is neither Spanish or a true cedar. It is found in Central and South America and is more closely related to Mahogany. The fingerboard is jet black Ebony. The back of the neck displays a black stripe, which is an Ebony stiffener. This type of instrument would not have an adjustable metal truss rod.

Other Notes 

Here are The Twelfth Fret Owner Grant MacNeill’s comments on this Ramirez 1a Concert Classical Long Scale guitar and its history:

"We converted the bridge’s tie-block to a 12- hole tie-block format for lower 'modern' action, now at 8/64ths treble to 10/64ths bass , performed crack repairs to the back, dressed and polished the frets and set up the guitar.  This guitar has the huge bass typical of any 1a with cypress-lined sides.

It came from the home of the late Eli Kassner, and was no doubt played by the late Maestro Andres Segovia himself as well as by countless other classical performers who were guests in that magical house. It has been heavily played and shows extensive but honest wear. Grant MacNeill, Classical Guitar Specialist"

You can read more about the late Eli Kassner in the Wikipedia page here and the Guitar Society of Toronto page here. 

Kassner was a prominent Canadian classical guitar teacher and around 1958 invited to study with Andres Segovia. Many ultimately prominent players studied with him, including Norbert Kraft, Paul Pigat and Gordon O’Brien, who is featured in our reviews of Ramirez and Alhambra classical guitars.  He had a great influence on the promotion of classical guitar music in Canada, and in 2016 was awarded the Order of Canada. 

 

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here

 

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DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model:  1a
• Instrument Manufacturer:  Jose Ramirez
• Instrument year:  1980
• Instrument Finish:  Natural, Orange Tint Top
• Instrument Class:  Classical Guitars
• Instrument serial number:  14890, built during 1980 at Conception Jeronima No.1, Madrid Spain
• Country of Origin:  Spain
• Instrument Condition:  Good
• Playing Condition:  Good 
• Right-handed 
• CITIES Documentation Required: No
• Instrument Weight Imperial: 4.048 lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric: 1.84 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:  26.18 in
• Scale Length Metric: 665 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:  2.119 in
• Nut Width Metric:  53.84 mm
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  No
• Case Type: Period Wedge Shaped Hard Case
• Items in Case: N/A
• Consignment: No 
• Product ID: N/AS

 

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here