Hello, I am Amalia Ramírez, and today I would like to share with you the fascinating story of the Segovia model, one of the most precious jewels of Guitarras Ramirez. This model is not only significant for its quality and sound, but also for its deep connection with the excellent guitarist Andrés Segovia and my father, José Ramírez III.
The origin of the Segovia model
The first Segovia model guitar was created in 1963. My father, José Ramírez III, built this guitar with a red cedar top, a material that was not common in guitar making at the time. This innovative approach changed the trajectory of our craftsmanship and left an indelible mark on the history of the classical guitar.
Meeting with Andrés Segovia
When my father finished building this guitar, he decided to show it to Andrés Segovia, who was already a legendary figure in the classical guitar world. Segovia was fascinated by the guitar and used it for a long time. His playing imbued the woods of the guitar with a unique character, full of colour, warmth, and a complexity of tone that only a master like him could achieve. Eventually, my father traded this guitar for another and kept the original in our collection, where it still resides as a priceless treasure.
The evolution of the Segovia guitar model
The Segovia guitar model became a symbol of innovation and excellence. The adoption of red cedar for the top was a major breakthrough in guitar making, offering a new voice and a palette of sound colours that expanded the expressive possibilities of guitarists. This material quickly established itself in the construction of both Spanish and acoustic guitars, and has been used by many manufacturers ever since.
A fortunate serendipity
The discovery of red cedar was a serendipity. My father sent one of his apprentices to buy cedar for handles and, by mistake, he brought back wood for tops. Instead of getting angry, my father saw potential in the wood grain, similar to spruce, and decided to give it a try. He cut the wood to the thickness of a guitar top and let it sit on a sheet of metal overnight. The next morning, he discovered to his amazement that the wood had not warped or twisted. Thus was born the first cedar-top guitar, an instrument that is now 60 years old.
Preserving the legacy
In homage to Andrés Segovia and José Ramírez III, we have reproduced the Ramírez Segovia model guitar with all its original features, including the Palo Santo de Río that we have kept in our warehouse for more than 60 years. This model is not only a celebration of our history, but also a commitment to the future of Spanish music and culture.
Support to the Andrés Segovia Foundation
To honour the legacy of these two guitar geniuses, we are donating a percentage of the sale of the Segovia model to support the work of the Andrés Segovia Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the transcendence of Andrés Segovia’s work and to supporting new guitar talents, both guitarists and composers.
The Segovia model is not just a guitar, it is a piece of history, a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship excellence that characterizes Ramirez Guitars. Each of these guitars is a tribute to the genius of Andrés Segovia and the vision of my father, José Ramírez III.
We are proud to continue this legacy and share it with the world, offering instruments that not only sound great, but also tell a story. Thank you for joining us on this journey through time and music. I hope this story has brought you a little closer to the wonderful world of Ramirez Guitars and the legacy of the Segovia model.
Amalia Ramírez
