The House of Ramirez
JOSÉ RAMIRÉZ I 1858 - 1923
José Ramírez de Galarreta y Planet, was born in Madrid in 1858. At the age of 12,
he began working, as an apprentice, in the workshop of Francisco González, who was
later to become his Maestro. The Gonzalez shop was located on the Carrera de
San Jerónimo Street in Madrid. In 1890 Jose I established himself at Concepción
Jerónima nº 2, where his descendants continued to build guitars until the year 1995.
Later, the store was relocated to La Paz nº 8, very near the old shop. José was teacher to his
younger brother, Manuel Ramírez, as well as his son, José Ramírez II. He also
taught Enrique García, who later established himself in Barcelona, where he taught
Francisco Simplicio, and Julián Gómez Ramírez. He also imparted the trade to
Antonio Viudes, Rafael Casana, as well as to Alfonso Benito and Antonio Gómez.
Thus, the Ramirez Dynasty began in José Ramírez's workshop. José Ramírez was
recognized as an outstanding master guitar-maker. Flamenco guitarists would frequently
approach him to find a solution for better projection of sound, which lead to José creating
the "tablao guitar." Although he was inagreement with the design by Torres, he built a
larger flamenco model than most classical guitars in those days. The tablao guitar brought
him much success, and added to his reputation as a Master Luthier. Manuel Ramírez de Galarreta y Planet was born in Alhama de Aragon in 1864. Although the habitual residence of the family was Madrid, the father's profession forced them to reside some time in this town. Manuel learnt the guitar-maker's trade, from his elder brother, José. At the age of 27, in 1891, he decided to establish himself on his own. At the beginning, his idea was to move to Paris, and when he communicated his idea to José, he helped him to carry out his project. However, for reasons unknown, Manuel changed his plans, and he finally established himself in the nº 24 Cava Baja Street of Madrid, which caused an enmity between the two brothers.The rift between them was, sadly, never resolved. After a time in Cava Baja Street, Manuel moved his shop to nº5 Santa Ana's square, and later on to nº10 Arlabán Street, where he stayed indefinately. In a short period of time he was to develop great prestige, by not only making guitars, but also violins, and he was named "Luthier of the Royal Conservatory of Madrid". In addition, he continued the school begun by his brother, and the guitar-makers he mentored were recognized as amongst the best. Around 1912, a young man presented himself in the workshop in Arlabán Street
with the purpose of renting a guitar for a concert he was to give.The clothes and general appearance of Andrés Segovia were outlandish. The strangeness of the petition, as well as the visitor's aspect, made Manuel play with the situation giving him a guitar but not taking him very seriously. However, after listening the youth playing, Manuel was so amazed that he decided to give him the guitar. That prodigious guitarist who played in taverns in exchange for a coffee was Andrés Segovia. The guitar that Manuel gave him is now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of New York.
This information has been kindly supplied by the Jose Ramirez website, For further details please visit www.guitarrasramirez.com
Click on photos to enlarge and for title
José Ramírez de Galarreta y Planet, was born in Madrid in 1858. At the age of 12,
he began working, as an apprentice, in the workshop of Francisco González, who was
later to become his Maestro. The Gonzalez shop was located on the Carrera de
San Jerónimo Street in Madrid. In 1890 Jose I established himself at Concepción
Jerónima nº 2, where his descendants continued to build guitars until the year 1995.
Later, the store was relocated to La Paz nº 8, very near the old shop. José was teacher to his
younger brother, Manuel Ramírez, as well as his son, José Ramírez II. He also
taught Enrique García, who later established himself in Barcelona, where he taught
Francisco Simplicio, and Julián Gómez Ramírez. He also imparted the trade to
Antonio Viudes, Rafael Casana, as well as to Alfonso Benito and Antonio Gómez.
Thus, the Ramirez Dynasty began in José Ramírez's workshop. José Ramírez was
recognized as an outstanding master guitar-maker. Flamenco guitarists would frequently
approach him to find a solution for better projection of sound, which lead to José creating
the "tablao guitar." Although he was inagreement with the design by Torres, he built a
larger flamenco model than most classical guitars in those days. The tablao guitar brought
him much success, and added to his reputation as a Master Luthier. Manuel Ramírez de Galarreta y Planet was born in Alhama de Aragon in 1864. Although the habitual residence of the family was Madrid, the father's profession forced them to reside some time in this town. Manuel learnt the guitar-maker's trade, from his elder brother, José. At the age of 27, in 1891, he decided to establish himself on his own. At the beginning, his idea was to move to Paris, and when he communicated his idea to José, he helped him to carry out his project. However, for reasons unknown, Manuel changed his plans, and he finally established himself in the nº 24 Cava Baja Street of Madrid, which caused an enmity between the two brothers.The rift between them was, sadly, never resolved. After a time in Cava Baja Street, Manuel moved his shop to nº5 Santa Ana's square, and later on to nº10 Arlabán Street, where he stayed indefinately. In a short period of time he was to develop great prestige, by not only making guitars, but also violins, and he was named "Luthier of the Royal Conservatory of Madrid". In addition, he continued the school begun by his brother, and the guitar-makers he mentored were recognized as amongst the best. Around 1912, a young man presented himself in the workshop in Arlabán Street
with the purpose of renting a guitar for a concert he was to give.The clothes and general appearance of Andrés Segovia were outlandish. The strangeness of the petition, as well as the visitor's aspect, made Manuel play with the situation giving him a guitar but not taking him very seriously. However, after listening the youth playing, Manuel was so amazed that he decided to give him the guitar. That prodigious guitarist who played in taverns in exchange for a coffee was Andrés Segovia. The guitar that Manuel gave him is now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of New York.
This information has been kindly supplied by the Jose Ramirez website, For further details please visit www.guitarrasramirez.com
Click on photos to enlarge and for title