A portrait of Madrid through Ramírez Guitars

Last Sunday, the weekend magazine El País Semanal (EPS) granted us a very special honor: we were selected as part of the 50 figures born in the capital who best represent the spirit, culture, and life of Madrid. From Ramírez Guitars, we want to share with all of you the joy of this recognition, which we feel not only as a personal achievement for Cristina and José Enrique Ramírez, but as a tribute to an entire family saga and, above all, to the craftsmanship of our city.

The fifth generation: from Madrid to the world

The history of Ramírez Guitars cannot be understood without the streets of Madrid. As Cristina and José Enrique (the fifth generation of guitar makers) highlighted in the interview, our roots are deeply intertwined with the geography of the capital:

“We are from the Chamartín neighborhood, but the workshop is in Tetuán and the store is in the city center. We are the fifth generation of the workshop.”

Since the house was founded in 1882, the commitment has remained the same: to keep the tradition of manual work alive, taking care of every detail of our classical and flamenco guitars. We don’t mass-produce instruments like in a factory; we are an artisan workshop where wood comes to life through hands, time, and patience.

Building for the musician: our golden rule

One of the pillars of the philosophy that has passed from generation to generation in the Ramírez family is absolute respect for the person playing the instrument. As José Enrique pointed out in the interview, the instrument must be at the service of art:

“The key that has always been transmitted to us is that you have to adapt to the musician’s way of playing at all times, you must ensure they like what you do; you work for them.”

Building a guitar is like striking up a silent dialogue between the luthier and the guitarist. It is a process of active listening, of understanding the touch, strength and sensitivity of each performer, so that the instrument responds to what the musician needs to express, whether on stage or in the privacy of their studio.

Madrid: the climate, the culture, and the School of Guitar Makers

Madrid is not just our physical headquarters; it is our vital and creative space. Cristina highlighted in El País that the capital defines us “for its ideal climate for building and its commitment to culture”. It is precisely here where the historic Madrid School of Guitar Makers resides and breathes, of which we are proud to be a fundamental part.

This school is recognized today as one of the most important and prestigious in the world, and the Ramírez name is a cornerstone in its foundation and continuous development throughout the centuries. “This company cannot be understood outside of Madrid,” Cristina stated emphatically during the report.

The challenge of authenticity in the face of standardization

However, being a traditional and historic business in the 21st century comes with significant challenges. During the interview, we reflected on how the landscape of the historic center is rapidly transforming. It is becoming increasingly difficult for long-standing businesses to keep their doors open in the face of a standardization that homogenizes the urban landscape.

Today, as Cristina reflected, walking through certain commercial streets gives the same visual sensation whether you are in “Paris, Prague or London, because ultimately it is very difficult for traditional businesses to survive, making way for large chains, franchises or souvenir shops.”

At Ramírez Guitars, we continue fighting every day so that identity and culture are not lost. We will continue opening the doors of our store in the center and meticulously working the wood in our Tetuán workshop, because we firmly believe that the true wealth of a city lies in its history, its art, and those trades that, with soul and dedication, withstand the test of time.

We thank El País for giving us a voice in this magnificent portrait of the city and, of course, all the musicians and guitar lovers who make it possible for the legacy of Ramírez Guitars to continue sounding strong, clear, and profoundly from Madrid.