The red cedar top has revolutionised guitar making around the world, thanks to its sound quality and stability. But how did it become so iconic in the guitar-making universe? To answer this question, we must go back to 1963, when José Ramírez III, master guitar maker of Ramírez Guitars, began experimenting with this innovative wood in the creation of his Segovia model, designed for the legendary Andrés Segovia.
The origin of the Segovia model and the introduction of red cedar
José Ramírez III met Andrés Segovia in 1952, bringing him a spruce guitar which, according to the maestro, had a ‘squeaky and poor’ sound. This comment prompted Ramírez to begin a nine-year investigation, during which he experimented with different materials and designs. In 1961, Segovia tried out one of the guitars resulting from this process and used it during his tour of Australia. However, the real breakthrough came in 1963, when Ramírez introduced red cedar in the top. Although until then only spruce had been used, cedar offered unique properties:
- Exceptional stability: After leaving the wood on a metal plate overnight, it remained perfectly flat.
- Warm, rich sound: The resulting guitar offered a warm tone, ideal for classical pieces played by Segovia.
Why did red cedar change the history of the guitar?
Red cedar in the top allowed guitar makers to expand the sonic possibilities of their instruments. This wood has a suitable density and a straight grain, characteristics that contribute to a superior harmonic vibration. For Segovia, it meant an instrument with greater projection and tonal richness. In the words of Amalia Ramírez, daughter of José Ramírez III, this discovery marked a before and after in the history of the guitar: ‘It meant that almost all of Ramírez’s guitars began to be made with a cedar top, changing the perspective of the guitar-making world’.
The modern reproduction of the Segovia model
Today, Ramirez Guitars pays homage to this historic moment with an almost identical reproduction of the Segovia model with a red cedar top. Using Rio rosewood from the 50‘s and 60’s, stored since then, they have managed to recreate the essence of that unique instrument that Segovia played for years. This reproduction is aimed at music lovers who value both tradition and quality craftsmanship. However, the availability of these historic materials is limited, so production will continue until the original rosewood is exhausted.
An enduring legacy
The red cedar top of the Segovia model not only transformed classical guitar design, but also left a legacy that lives on after six decades. This story of innovation and passion continues to inspire musicians and luthiers around the world. Watch Amalia Ramírez’s full video on the above information.
