Craftsmanship is experiencing a renaissance. This was demonstrated in the recent episode of RTVE’s *Comando Actualidad* titled “Hands That Create,” which explored how traditional crafts are making a strong comeback in contemporary Spain. Among the featured subjects in this episode, which aired during prime time, was our workshop: Guitarras Ramírez.
A Craft with Soul
Since 1882, five generations of the Ramírez family have dedicated their lives to building guitars. In this special program, Cristina, Amalia, and Enrique Ramírez opened the doors to their workshop to show how each instrument is the result of a legacy passed down with care and precision.
As Cristina explained, the secret to Ramírez’s success lies in “the care, dedication, and desire to constantly improve.” Beyond the product itself, the process was on full display: carefully selected wood, expert hands, and an atmosphere of respect for the craft that permeates every corner of the workshop.
The union structure: learning as we used to
One of the most striking aspects of the program was the continued existence of the traditional guild system still in practice at Guitarras Ramírez. Apprentices, second- and first-level journeymen, and master guitar makers work side by side in the same space, sharing knowledge, mistakes, and discoveries. Far from being obsolete, this hierarchy is what ensures that excellence is maintained from one generation to the next.
For Amalia Ramírez, a master luthier and one of the most respected figures in the field, the true value of the workshop lies in “passing on the craft and knowledge to others.” Her steady, serene gaze embodies the essence of an art that cannot be learned from manuals, but only by working side by side with those who have dedicated their lives to it.
A guitar with a history… and personality
The report also highlighted a truth that many musicians know but that is sometimes hard to explain: a handmade guitar sounds different. And not just different, but better. Because every Ramírez guitar has a soul. It is the result of hundreds of hours, of conscious decisions, and of mistakes carefully corrected. Compared to a machine-made guitar, the difference is as striking as the difference between listening to a recorded voice and a live one.
That is why so many renowned artists have chosen a Ramírez throughout history. Because they seek not only quality, but authenticity.
View the full program
For those who were unable to watch the broadcast or would like to learn more about this episode dedicated to Spain’s new artisans, here is a direct link to the full episode on RTVE Play:
🎬 Watch “Manos que crean” on RTVE Play
An opportunity to rediscover the value of handmade items. To get to know other voices and hands that, like ours, create with purpose.