Ramirez 1a IM 1969 - High Quality Audio - Golden Age Low Action Legendary Segovia Sound

Hello fellow guitarists and guitar enthusiasts. Here we have a 1969 Ramirez 1a, from the Golden Age, the height of the Ramirez III dynasty, and the same year as Segovia's legendary Ramirez guitar.

Check out the unedited high-quality video and audio. The audio is untouched, recorded, and compressed into the computer in real-time. This gives you a very honest interpretation of the tone and sound. 

Built by Ignacio M. Rozas as indicated by the IM stamp on the heel block, this instrument oozes mojo, from its lush tones to the gorgeous figured quarter sawn Brazilian Rosewood, master grade cedar top, and the fact that nothing has moved on the instrument in its 53 years of existence.

As you can see from the pictures of the saddle and bridge, it is still in perfect factory spec, with the action setup to 4.5mm in the bass and 3.5mm in the trebles - exactly as Jose Ramirez III intended. With 2.5 mm to 3 mm left on the saddle, the action can be lowered to around 3.5/2.5mm if desired, although I find the tone and volume suffers on any of these guitars as we approach that range. At that point, you're messing with the desired torque and string break on the top. You will rarely find Ramirez guitars in this condition these days. The rare ones do not need any work to get them to where they are supposed to be.

Ignacio M. Rozas was one of Ramirez' best luthiers. 1969 was his last year with Ramirez before he moved on to help Manuel Contreras build and eventually start his own workshop.

-Master Grade AAAA Cedar Top and Stunning Quart Sawn Brazilian Rosewood
-664mm scale
-54mm nut
-4.5/3.5mm action with plenty of saddle height and the ability to lower to action to 3.5/2.5mm and possibly lower
-7th fret dot- small and tastefully done
-Jose Ramirez III lacquer - french polish thin
-Fustero Tuners - fantastic shape with plenty of life left in them
-Knobloch Medium Tension Basses, Savarez Alliance G NT, D'Addario ProArte EJ45 B and E

The guitar is in great shape for its age, showing only minor signs of regular use - honest playware throughout the top, a few minor battle scars, a few hairline cracks expertly repaired with only glue as needed, and modest clouding in the finish that is very common on these guitars from this era. The clouding is in part because the finish is french polish thin. Once we get past 1971, the lacquer often begins to become thicker and inconsistent as demand was too high, and Ramirez outsourced the finishing of many instruments in attempts to keep up. There is also some minor finish damage on the upper right side, close to the neck. The clouding can probably be polished out by someone experienced with these guitars. It is hardly visible under normal lighting conditions, but it is there.

The cracks are all very minor and not all the way through the wood. Two on the back as photographed, one on the upper left and one on the bottom left. The upper one seems more like a finish crack to me. The other is a slight split in the top next to the center seam. The highly reputable dealer I purchased from repaired all cracks with glue and no cleats.

The left tuner lost its uppermost screw during shipment to me. This is minor, and the tuners are stable and in place. I have not replaced it as I am searching to find screws that match the original screws used by Fustero. You can either replace it with whatever or play the waiting game. If and when I find matching screws, I will gladly send you some, free of charge. (Unless on the off chance they are costly.)

The guitar has been kept in a smoke-free house in perfect humidity, and as long as it is taken care of, it will remain very stable. Purchased from the original owner who consigned the guitar. I have owned the guitar for a year and a half but have too many Ramirez guitars, so sadly, I will let this one go. It will be missed.

The photos are incredibly accurate and probably a little too honest, but honesty is the best policy. Most of my buyers tell me the guitars they purchase look even better than they expected when they received it. I document even the most minor flaws, so you know exactly what you're buying. I expect the same and always get disappointed when sellers do not document everything thoroughly.

*** I am upgrading the original case to a Cordoba Humicase free of charge. I have not had the guitar in its original case since I purchased it. It has now been in the original case, and I fear the foam of the original case is breaking down and off-gassing. It is 53 years old, and these things happen. To prevent any possible damage to the instruments finish the original case should not be used. I have moved it to the humicase but have saved the original case. If you really want it, let me know. I would not recommend it. Also, if you would prefer a case upgrade to a CrossRock or Visenut, please let me know, and I will make it happen at my cost for the additional upgrade.

If you are a serious buyer and would like more info, send me a message to set up a Zoom call. I am shipping only in the United States as the Brazilian Rosewood needs CITES documentation, and I am not qualified to procure it. If you are abroad, feel free to come and pickup.