1972 José Ramírez 1a Blue Label — Cedar Top, Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides
This is a pre-owned 1972 José Ramírez 1a classical guitar with a cedar top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides. The guitar carries the original blue Ramírez label identifying it as a 1a — the "first class" designation that Ramírez used for their top-tier production instruments. The top is in a French polish finish and shows no cracks. 1972 places this instrument at the heart of the Ramírez "golden era" under José Ramírez III, the period that produced the guitars heard on landmark recordings by Andrés Segovia, Christopher Parkening, and many other concert artists.
Built by Juan García Rey — Stamp #9
The interior stamp #9 identifies this guitar as the work of Juan García Rey, one of the master builders in the José Ramírez III workshop. According to the official Ramírez record of workshop luthiers, García Rey initially signed his work with the initials JG before adopting the number 9 when the workshop transitioned from heel initials to numbered stamps in the early 1970s. The builders of the Ramírez shop during this period formed what many consider the deepest bench of talent ever assembled under one roof in Spanish guitar making — a roster that produced instruments for the most demanding concert artists in the world.
Condition
The soundboard is crack-free. There are three professionally repaired cracks on the back and sides, shown clearly in the photos. Repaired back and side cracks are common on instruments of this age and, when properly stabilized, do not affect the guitar's structural integrity or sound. The guitar is priced to reflect its condition — a genuine golden-era Ramírez 1a with Brazilian rosewood at well below what a crack-free example commands. Please contact us for additional photos or a detailed condition report before purchasing.
Specifications
| Top |
Cedar |
| Back / Sides |
Brazilian rosewood |
| Scale |
664mm |
| Nut width |
54mm |
| Fingerboard |
Ebony |
| Neck wood |
Spanish cedar |
| Tuning machines |
Fustero |
| Finish |
French polish |
| Action at 12th fret, 6th string |
4.5mm |
| Action at 12th fret, 1st string |
3.5mm |
| Builder stamp |
#9 — Juan García Rey |
| Number of top cracks |
0 |
| Number of back/sides cracks |
3 |
| All cracks repaired? |
Yes |
About the Ramírez 1a Blue Label
During the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, José Ramírez III exported two principal models: the 1a (first class) with a blue label, and the 2a (second class) with a red label. The 1a guitars received the highest-grade tonewoods and the most attention from the workshop's senior luthiers. Ramírez switched to cedar tops exclusively for 1a models in the mid-1960s, and the combination of a cedar soundboard with Brazilian rosewood back and sides became the signature voice of this era — warm, dark, powerful, and immediately recognizable.
The 664mm scale length — slightly longer than the standard 650mm — contributes to the guitar's signature bass depth and projection, and the 54mm nut width reflects the generous string spacing typical of concert Ramírez instruments from this period.
CITES and Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) is listed under CITES Appendix I, which restricts international trade. Domestic sale within the United States is permitted for pre-Convention instruments. Please contact us for details on the documentation accompanying this guitar.
Professional Setup and Inspection by luthier Darren Hippner
If you have questions about this 1972 Ramírez 1a or would like additional photos and a detailed condition report, call us at 828-417-9515 or email
sales@xguitars.com.
