Photo credit: Ray Larsen

Introduction and audio example one of the José Ramírez 125th Anniversary Model.


 

Audio example two of the José Ramírez 125th Anniversary Model.


 

Surviving as a guitar company for 125 years is no small feat. Maintaining a virtually unassailable record for excellence over the same period is even more impressive. Spanish guitar-building powerhouse José Ramírez Guitars is one of the few guitar builders in history to achieve this distinction. To celebrate, the company released two special Anniversary models to mark this occasion.

The top-of-the-line concert model has a limited production of 125 guitars, is certain to be an instant collectible, and carries a price tag ($25,000) that reflects its rarity and high-profile among connoisseurs. But Amalia Ramírez, the fourth-generation leader of the Ramírez operation, also wanted to produce a commemorative student model that was more affordable. The result is the Ramírez 125th Anniversary Model (125th AM)—a guitar inspired by José Ramírez III’s now-classic “E” (Estudio) model that successfully encapsulates much of the resonant bass, quick treble response, and projection that made Ramírez a legend.

RESPECT FOR TRADITION

With a tight-grained solid Western red cedar top and a bookmatched solid Indian rosewood back and matching sides, the 125th AM shares the traditional looks of other Ramírez studio models but conveys a celebratory design sensibility in little details. The rosette, for instance, in an eye-catching green-and-red design of ten roses on a black background, matches the bridge’s tie-block and the purfling, as well.

The guitar’s fit and finish is clean, with nary a glue drip, ill-fitting joint, or poorly seated fret to be found. It is, indeed, very nicely put together. Close inspection of the review guitar’s finish did reveal some dimpled areas on its back, probably the result of lacquer sinking into the rosewood’s pores. While this is unlikely to affect the sound, it does detract from the beauty of an otherwise nicely matched back set.

GREAT PLAYABILITY AND A GROWLING VOICE

While many earlier Ramírez guitars were built with a long and often difficult-to-play 660-mm scale, the company chose a standard 650-mm scale for this instrument, which should be comfortable for most players. The guitar’s fretboard is virtually flat, but the comfortable neck profile and excellent setup made playing bar chords a breeze.

Good classical builders are able to coax a focused “growl” out of the basses on their guitars, and in the case of the 125th AM, Ramírez succeeded admirably—delivering a pronounced and satisfying resonance, with strong Spanish flavor in the colorful, if sometimes overpowering, low end. Playing the open fifth string for the first time, which yielded a very present, biting, and focused tone, was an eyebrow-raising experience— something we all hope for when trying out a guitar for the first time.

The treble strings revealed impressive pop, clarity, an even response and volume up the neck, as well as an emphasis in the midrange that is a hallmark of Ramírez guitars. Single-note melodies on the treble side had plenty of sweetness and color, though pushing the guitar’s dynamic range left me wishing for just a little more volume and headroom.

Playing the guitar was easy and a real pleasure; the neck profile was very comfortable and the action was spot-on. Most impressively though, picking response was exceptionally quick and supple, in the fashion one would expect from a well-selected and -crafted cedar top.

Moved by the 125th AM’s romantic-sounding sonic palette, I ran through Villa Lobos’s Prelude No. 1, which features a beautiful, singing, cello-like melody on the bass strings, which sang out with authority. For contrast, I ran through a fugue by J.S. Bach that felt less at home delivered from the Ramírez’s boomy, bass-heavy voice and required some more work to summon the trebles properly. Finally, I ran through my best quasi-flamenco riffs, rasgueados, and bass runs, which worked so well that I felt as if I were playing a flamenco rather than classical guitar. Vigorous strums possessed volume and percussiveness that could cut through in a performance situation, and the muscular bass enhanced the visceral qualities of the music.

THE WRAP

The 125th Anniversary Model marks an impressive milestone in the Ramírez dynasty. And while this student model might not deliver the same power or range of color and balance as Ramírez’s high-end concert models, this limited-production guitar—which will only be built for five years—will satisfy players who appreciate the history and tradition of Spanish guitar building and characteristic sound. Whether you’re a collector or a player seeking a classical that can deliver at the most refined level of performance, the Ramírez 125th Anniversary Model is a special guitar indeed. Classical pluckers as well as steel-string players hunting for a quality nylon-string that is backed up by generations of guitar-building tradition will want to give this Ramírez a shot.