Small correction, the Ramirez belonged to my cousin. I put the headstock back together and replaced the headstock veneer but then he passed away suddenly. I felt that I needed to make the guitar whole again even though he’s gone. When I heard you play it, it was a pretty emotional moment for me. Thanks Ted.
That is an extraordinarily beautiful guitar, and I'm glad for you and your cousin's memory that it will carry on its own life in a condition befitting it. Thank you for letting Ted share it with us. Wow it's beautiful!
The rosette alone speaks of expensive guitar - I've seen videos of people making rosettes like the one on this guitar - talk about labor intensive..Thankfully I've been very happy with my 1984 Yamaha CG-3A, but I don't even attempt to make a living at playing a guitar LOL. Thanks for sharing this lovely guitar with us.
A tip from a machinist: When measuring height with a caliper don't use the "stick" if at all avoidable - that is for narrow holes. Instead turn it around and use the two flat, ground surfaces at the top! This is the fourth pair of measuring surfaces on calipers that few people use, the irony is that technically this is the best way to get a good measurement from them!
I got to see Segovia in concert in 1973 when I was 10 years old. Even as young as I was I was amazed. Near the conclusion he did some two hand tapping and it brought the house down.
I was fortunate enough to see Segovia in Cardiff at the St Davids Concert hall when he was already in his 90s. The first half of his performance was not perfect. He was old and kept stopping when he made an error, or to retune, but it was still amazing to see such a legend. Then, after the intermission, he returned and performed the most breathtaking performance on a guitar that I have ever seen or heard live by a human being. It was as if the first half was a warm up and now he was completely let loose, everything was note perfect and spellbinding. He died a few years later so I was so privileged - as was the entire audience - to get to witness a true maestro and genius in concert, still performing at a level of artistry on the instrument he pretty much invented and set the standards for all who followed.
I can remember driving thru DC area traffic to get to my music theory class and hearing the local all-news station start playing classical guitar music. My first thought was, "What, did Segovia just die?!??!" and sure enough, "Classical guitar master Andres Segovia just passed away..." Drove the rest of the way to class crying.
I don't work in your profession -- so I'm not competent to offer any advice. That said, I'll share with you that, when filing metal (steel) near delicate finishes, I place a magnet close by. Less likely to work itself under any protective barrier.
I owned a 1967 Ramirez 1A for years. An amazing guitar but for many of the reasons you mention and my aging stiffening fingers I traded it of lesser (but excellent by most standards) guitar. The new owner ran a high end classical guitar business. His plan was to have the fingerboard removed and a full length shim fit under it much like I've seen you do with fingerboard extensions. I never found out how it worked out.
Saw Segovia in the 70s ! Packed Jones Hall in Houston. Amazing but also amazing how loud. He stopped twice for coughing ,second time told person to get out!
Saw Segovia when I was a really little kid in the 60's in San Diego. All I can remember is him sitting on a raised platform in the center of the audience and everyone standing and giving ovations. Dad played his records all the time. Personally, I can't even play on those zero radius fingerboards, it's like a different instrument and I end up perplexed and frustrated.
I recently did this to a mid ‘70s Masaru Matano classical and I’ll be honest, I only did it this way because I couldn’t see any other way to bring both the action down and the saddle up from near zero. I was lucky that the fretboard was close to 7mm at the nut and was similar to the Ramirez with the falloff starting around the 10th fret or so. I also installed a slightly higher fret to help the end result. While I’m very happy with the result I’m all the more so knowing I unwittingly did what a pro would have done to solve the issue.
It’s interesting that you mention the higher frets. I was just wondering whether that was an option to address a high action. Seems like a less invasive solution than steaming the neck off or doing a ninja reset!
@@herrrmike I wouldn’t think that alone would buy you much. The frets I went with were just shy of .020” taller. So the extra height was a very small part of the bigger effort.
Like all the very best guitars, you can hear that Ramirez resonating to Ted's voice. I had the pleasure of a recording session once with a Contreras from the early 60's, and what struck me was the sheer willingness of free resonance - that guitar was basically a sympathetic reverb for every sound in the room; remarkable. Great work Ted.
I remember back in the late '70s reading in Guitar Player magazine a quote from A.S. when asked about quality guitars he answered the best ones are the ones with orange tops which spawned a whole new market for the cheap cheap manufactures . The only other thing I remember him saying was if you take the top off of an Ovarian you have a punch bowl .
Another beautiful tale from the master. Glad to see this Ramirez get a new lease on life; I had a Ramirez back in the 70s when I was studying at the Conservatory. It was a very special guitar and every time I played an exam or recital, they would come peering into the soundhole to see who was the maker. I scored highest mark in the province (Ontario) in 75 or 76 on that Ramirez. Wonder where it is now? I still have that little silver medal the Conservatory awarded me.
Amazing historical lecture, sir. Thank you. I saw Andrés Segovia in 1979 at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit. My friend and I had the last two seats in the last row of the very farthest corner of the highest balcony. Segovia, quite elderly, came out with his guitar, sat on a chair - no mics or sound system at all - and we heard EVERY SINGLE NOTE!
The first time I noticed the name Ramirez was during the "And I Love Her" sequence in "A Hard Day's Night" with a close up of George's hands playing the solo.
Im certainly no guitarist and no luthier, but I really enjoy the history & your work. Personally, I never miss an episode & I thank you for the work involved to put out a video. I used to have a 70's Yamaha & tried playing that. Finally gave it to someone that could make it sing like it was supposed to.
Dear God, hear my prayer...I have attended the twdfrd seminars on Sunday more than I've attended church .Please don't send me to hell. Rather I will be happy to polish the pearly white gates for eternity as penance.Polishing, polishing...
Musicians like as many genres as non musicians and like to play all sorts. Your favourite player, probably plays totally different music when not on stage
Thanks for another wonderful and instructive video, Ted. One small observation: one of the main reasons the action is typically high on classical guitars has to do not only with aggressive strumming (as you illustrate) but how one gets the most sound out of the string, even with single notes. If you've been around classical guitarists at all (and let's face it, a little can go a long way) you may hear them obsess about the rest stroke (or apoyando). That is indeed an important technique for bringing out a melody or even an individual pitch, but the reason it is effective is because it moves the string down toward the face of the instrument. That impulse is then transmitted directly to the bridge. (Anyone who is in doubt about this should just compare the sound created by moving the string parallel to the top with moving it down toward the top.) In truth, proper technique on a classical guitar is always moving the string that way (rest stroke or not); thus the need for a higher action.
I have a Ramirez 1a from 1973. It is an 8-string classical guitar. Bought it off The Heritage Auction for $750 with a Mark Leaf case. The poor guitar had had a rough life. Someone had strung up the D string with a wound steel string with a ballend. The rosette was separating from the top and part of it was sunken. It had a big crack that did not go through the top and was in the lacquer. I pulled off the old strings, cleaned it up and put it aside. It had a musty smell of an old T-shirt. Big mistake I made, I thought. One year later, I pulled it out of its case; the rosette had reseated itself and was now flush with the top. The lacquer crack had almost healed itself and was now nearly invisible. The musty old smell was gone; in its place an aroma of spicy cedar and rosewood, like a cigar humidor. I strung it up and it was none the worse for the wear that it had gone through. It is a good sounding guitar with that characteristic Ramirez Spanish sound much like what I heard in your video demonstration of the 1a you repaired. I can't put a dollar value on it. I guess it would not put a very good player to shame. Still a competent good sounding guitar that one could use for a performance. No concertising artiste today seems to play a Ramirez any longer. More's the pity.
I grew up with a guy who was going to Berkeley music collage. He had one of those a couple of years older than that one. It was a amazing guitar and i was fortunate to play it several times. He taped me playing on the fly making up a song as i went. He was a amazing player yet that was his favorite recording, wonderful guitar
Very interesting fix. You considered so much. The instrument, history, customer, playability... everything. The fret board adjustment wouldn't have crossed my mind. I would have been lost. Super cool to see a method that's working for this one. Nice job as always.
The depth & breadth of your knowledge is very impressive - especially of the instrument history! That´s before you even open your tool kit! I live in Madrid - so thank you for the history lesson!! You´re the BESTEST Mt Ted! Right - Time for my siesta - its the LAW here!
I’m not a player but I love music and instruments. I have been to Spain three times. We went through many churches, museums, gardens and Hemingway hangouts. Ate some great hamon, tapas, pintxos & paella. But I never knew or learned about Spain’s history of guitar making and musicians. Thanks Ted!
Great work as always Ted! Very nice noises at the end. The history you share with every guitar is very enjoyable. Thanks for the research on these old guitars.
Small correction, the Ramirez belonged to my cousin. I put the headstock back together and replaced the headstock veneer but then he passed away suddenly. I felt that I needed to make the guitar whole again even though he’s gone. When I heard you play it, it was a pretty emotional moment for me. Thanks Ted.
That is an extraordinarily beautiful guitar, and I'm glad for you and your cousin's memory that it will carry on its own life in a condition befitting it. Thank you for letting Ted share it with us. Wow it's beautiful!
Beautiful emotionally, and very impressive for both you and Ted.
Ted did a beautiful job on it. I hope it continues to make music for many years to come!
The Guitar totally Rocks
I could not think of a better person to entrust this beautiful guitar to than T Woodford
The rosette alone speaks of expensive guitar - I've seen videos of people making rosettes like the one on this guitar - talk about labor intensive..Thankfully I've been very happy with my 1984 Yamaha CG-3A, but I don't even attempt to make a living at playing a guitar LOL. Thanks for sharing this lovely guitar with us.
A tip from a machinist: When measuring height with a caliper don't use the "stick" if at all avoidable - that is for narrow holes. Instead turn it around and use the two flat, ground surfaces at the top!
This is the fourth pair of measuring surfaces on calipers that few people use, the irony is that technically this is the best way to get a good measurement from them!
I got to see Segovia in concert in 1973 when I was 10 years old. Even as young as I was I was amazed. Near the conclusion he did some two hand tapping and it brought the house down.
I was fortunate enough to see Segovia in Cardiff at the St Davids Concert hall when he was already in his 90s. The first half of his performance was not perfect. He was old and kept stopping when he made an error, or to retune, but it was still amazing to see such a legend. Then, after the intermission, he returned and performed the most breathtaking performance on a guitar that I have ever seen or heard live by a human being. It was as if the first half was a warm up and now he was completely let loose, everything was note perfect and spellbinding. He died a few years later so I was so privileged - as was the entire audience - to get to witness a true maestro and genius in concert, still performing at a level of artistry on the instrument he pretty much invented and set the standards for all who followed.
I can remember driving thru DC area traffic to get to my music theory class and hearing the local all-news station start playing classical guitar music. My first thought was, "What, did Segovia just die?!??!" and sure enough, "Classical guitar master Andres Segovia just passed away..." Drove the rest of the way to class crying.
Wow, that must have been amazing to see Segovia.
Just want everyone to realize that each one of these presentations is university quality instruction.
Oooo! Time for Guitar Church! 🙏🏼
@Marvin Jerew I've always thought of it as 'Guitar Porn'...
I don't work in your profession -- so I'm not competent to offer any advice. That said, I'll share with you that, when filing metal (steel) near delicate finishes, I place a magnet close by. Less likely to work itself under any protective barrier.
I'm pretty sure I now have a master's degree in something.
I'm not sure what, exactly, but I show 'nuf am feelin' the smartlies!
My father an I each have 1970's Suzuki Violin Co. cedar classicals, and now I see where the design comes from.
I owned a 1967 Ramirez 1A for years. An amazing guitar but for many of the reasons you mention and my aging stiffening fingers I traded it of lesser (but excellent by most standards) guitar. The new owner ran a high end classical guitar business. His plan was to have the fingerboard removed and a full length shim fit under it much like I've seen you do with fingerboard extensions. I never found out how it worked out.
...and my classical guitar teacher told me Segovia's hands were small with short fingers... That wily rascal...
If you look up some of the videos that are on UA-cam, you can clearly see Segovia had very large hands with thick fingers..
Episodes with historical deep dives are my favorite.
Saw Segovia in the 70s ! Packed Jones Hall in Houston. Amazing but also amazing how loud. He stopped twice for coughing ,second time told person to get out!
👍🙏✌️
Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland
Best part of my Sunday is when the twoodford notification pops up!!
The subject of a classical guitar, from the hand of world-renowned luthier, was a much-needed break from the usual steel string guitars. Thank you.
This show is awesome. I didn't even care about guitar repair until I saw this show, now I'm fascinated. Even the simple stuff is cool to see.
Saw Segovia when I was a really little kid in the 60's in San Diego. All I can remember is him sitting on a raised platform in the center of the audience and everyone standing and giving ovations. Dad played his records all the time. Personally, I can't even play on those zero radius fingerboards, it's like a different instrument and I end up perplexed and frustrated.
no worries , , he was an asshole and nobody cares about him or his talent anymore . . fitting .
I recently did this to a mid ‘70s Masaru Matano classical and I’ll be honest, I only did it this way because I couldn’t see any other way to bring both the action down and the saddle up from near zero. I was lucky that the fretboard was close to 7mm at the nut and was similar to the Ramirez with the falloff starting around the 10th fret or so. I also installed a slightly higher fret to help the end result. While I’m very happy with the result I’m all the more so knowing I unwittingly did what a pro would have done to solve the issue.
It’s interesting that you mention the higher frets. I was just wondering whether that was an option to address a high action. Seems like a less invasive solution than steaming the neck off or doing a ninja reset!
@@herrrmike I wouldn’t think that alone would buy you much. The frets I went with were just shy of .020” taller. So the extra height was a very small part of the bigger effort.
Another well taught lesson in guitar building and repair and life. 😎✌🏼
Like all the very best guitars, you can hear that Ramirez resonating to Ted's voice. I had the pleasure of a recording session once with a Contreras from the early 60's, and what struck me was the sheer willingness of free resonance - that guitar was basically a sympathetic reverb for every sound in the room; remarkable. Great work Ted.
Even my relatively humble Yamaha GC55 had this same quality. Sadly, it was stolen from me.
@@promerops Ah, that's too bad 😥 I rate Yamaha very highly, always good instruments.
I own a Manuel Rodriguez classical guitar but very recently had chance to play a Ramirez and it was a world of difference!
I remember back in the late '70s reading in Guitar Player magazine a quote from A.S. when asked about quality guitars he answered the best ones are the ones with orange tops which spawned a whole new market for the cheap cheap manufactures .
The only other thing I remember him saying was if you take the top off of an Ovarian you have a punch bowl .
@ahg1358 Do you mean an Ovation...?
Another beautiful tale from the master. Glad to see this Ramirez get a new lease on life; I had a Ramirez back in the 70s when I was studying at the Conservatory. It was a very special guitar and every time I played an exam or recital, they would come peering into the soundhole to see who was the maker. I scored highest mark in the province (Ontario) in 75 or 76 on that Ramirez. Wonder where it is now? I still have that little silver medal the Conservatory awarded me.
"I'm not an accomplished player on the classical guitar"... plays it beautifully! Maybe not Segovia, but definitely shows off the guitar!
Amazing historical lecture, sir. Thank you.
I saw Andrés Segovia in 1979 at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit. My friend and I had the last two seats in the last row of the very farthest corner of the highest balcony. Segovia, quite elderly, came out with his guitar, sat on a chair - no mics or sound system at all - and we heard EVERY SINGLE NOTE!
that rosette is absolutely fantastic
I love the sensitivity of your repairs and restorations.
the way you explain has helped me make thousands in repairs. thanks buddy, good video.
Ted I’ve watched 95% of your videos, loved them all but this Ramirez is the best sounding guitar of all of them. Keep up the great work.
You’ll come for the repair video. You’ll bring popcorn for the history. 😉
The first time I noticed the name Ramirez was during the "And I Love Her" sequence in "A Hard Day's Night" with a close up of George's hands playing the solo.
Im certainly no guitarist and no luthier, but I really enjoy the history & your work. Personally, I never miss an episode & I thank you for the work involved to put out a video. I used to have a 70's Yamaha & tried playing that. Finally gave it to someone that could make it sing like it was supposed to.
Me also!
Ted is fantastic.
Thank you for making these videos and not asking me to “smash the ‘like’ button.” I do it for you cause you don’t ask.
Ted. You gotta Kung Fu the 1A! COME ON! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I love how resonant, yet pronounced the notes sound. Beautiful guitar. Great job, Ted.
Amazing sound! The clarity and volume of the high E way up the neck is incredible.
Dear God, hear my prayer...I have attended the twdfrd seminars on Sunday more than I've attended church .Please don't send me to hell. Rather I will be happy to polish the pearly white gates for eternity as penance.Polishing, polishing...
🕊
And there's gotta be some harps that need repairing.
One of the amazing things about Ted to me is how many music genre he can play. Nice work Ted. Nice pickin' too.
Musicians like as many genres as non musicians and like to play all sorts. Your favourite player, probably plays totally different music when not on stage
I imagine that guitar smells great as well, besides looking and sounding excellent.
That's the best playing I've heard you do
In my coutry it was legal to "physicaly discipline" an apprentice until 1937..
Those were definitely some nice sounds at the end 😊
Thanks for another wonderful and instructive video, Ted. One small observation: one of the main reasons the action is typically high on classical guitars has to do not only with aggressive strumming (as you illustrate) but how one gets the most sound out of the string, even with single notes. If you've been around classical guitarists at all (and let's face it, a little can go a long way) you may hear them obsess about the rest stroke (or apoyando). That is indeed an important technique for bringing out a melody or even an individual pitch, but the reason it is effective is because it moves the string down toward the face of the instrument. That impulse is then transmitted directly to the bridge. (Anyone who is in doubt about this should just compare the sound created by moving the string parallel to the top with moving it down toward the top.) In truth, proper technique on a classical guitar is always moving the string that way (rest stroke or not); thus the need for a higher action.
You working at lee valley makes so much sense. Another hint in the history of the man himself
I have a Ramirez 1a from 1973. It is an 8-string classical guitar. Bought it off The Heritage Auction for $750 with a Mark Leaf case. The poor guitar had had a rough life. Someone had strung up the D string with a wound steel string with a ballend. The rosette was separating from the top and part of it was sunken. It had a big crack that did not go through the top and was in the lacquer. I pulled off the old strings, cleaned it up and put it aside. It had a musty smell of an old T-shirt. Big mistake I made, I thought. One year later, I pulled it out of its case; the rosette had reseated itself and was now flush with the top. The lacquer crack had almost healed itself and was now nearly invisible. The musty old smell was gone; in its place an aroma of spicy cedar and rosewood, like a cigar humidor. I strung it up and it was none the worse for the wear that it had gone through. It is a good sounding guitar with that characteristic Ramirez Spanish sound much like what I heard in your video demonstration of the 1a you repaired. I can't put a dollar value on it. I guess it would not put a very good player to shame. Still a competent good sounding guitar that one could use for a performance. No concertising artiste today seems to play a Ramirez any longer. More's the pity.
Oh baby this guitar sounds amazing. Got me all tingly from the first note. Can only imagine how it sounds in an amphitheater in the hands of of a pro.
I grew up with a guy who was going to Berkeley music collage. He had one of those a couple of years older than that one. It was a amazing guitar and i was fortunate to play it several times. He taped me playing on the fly making up a song as i went. He was a amazing player yet that was his favorite recording, wonderful guitar
Very interesting fix. You considered so much. The instrument, history, customer, playability... everything.
The fret board adjustment wouldn't have crossed my mind. I would have been lost.
Super cool to see a method that's working for this one.
Nice job as always.
Another excellent video Ted. Thanks for putting these out.
Thanks for the story. And the content in general.
Yep, I needed this video a week ago. Thank you again!
Hands down that’s the finest sounding guitar I’ve heard on this channel ❤️❤️❤️
Gorgeous guitar in the hands of an impeccable luthier. Bravo! 👍👍
The depth & breadth of your knowledge is very impressive - especially of the instrument history! That´s before you even open your tool kit! I live in Madrid - so thank you for the history lesson!! You´re the BESTEST Mt Ted!
Right - Time for my siesta - its the LAW here!
Thirty minutes well spent. Beautiful guitar.
I’m not a player but I love music and instruments. I have been to Spain three times. We went through many churches, museums, gardens and Hemingway hangouts. Ate some great hamon, tapas, pintxos & paella. But I never knew or learned about Spain’s history of guitar making and musicians. Thanks Ted!
Sounds beautiful too
Beautiful instrument
This instrument is a museum piece . In the right hands it comes alive . Great Video's . I would like to hear Yngwie Malmsteen playing this guitar .
Beautiful sound
Love the work Ted.
I just adore your content man. History, wood working, problem solving... it's perfectly suited to my interests. Many thanks!
That guitar sounds amazing, thanks for sharing with us Mr. Ted!!!
Can't believe how it resonates . Nice work Ted
Thanks! Thanks much for the history! 😎
Such a Great guitar and craftsman!
I wish there was a button for double thumbs up!
Amazing content and masterful work once again 👏🏼 Thanks Ted.
Love your videos. Kinda meditative.
Wonderful sound!
Wow, it sounds great!❤
Love the sound of this one! 💛
Thank you so much for the history lesson at the beginning
Nice work as always! And a beautiful sounding guitar! 🤘🏻
Great video as always Ted, thanks for sharing your know how. Beautiful sounding guitar it's a cannon!
Sounds good, lovely and crisp top end.
Just fantastic. thank you
Great work as always Ted! Very nice noises at the end. The history you share with every guitar is very enjoyable. Thanks for the research on these old guitars.
Good work! The guitar sounds great.
I love the history lessons of the guitars. Thanks for letting us into your shop.
That is one gorgeous sounding guitar.
You are a master! Thank You.
Good lord this thing sounds fantastic.
The sound resonance is remarkable. Nice job!
Superb work!
That guitar sounds just gorgeous. Thank you very much.
This is one of your best videos.
beautiful music thank you
Thanks for making.
Very complete and descriptive info. Guitar sounds amazing.
The sound!! OMG beautiful
Amazing Sound 🎸👏
As usual just sublime, thanks Ted. These videos I could watch all day. Thanks again
Great video - packed with great advice for someone like me, who is learning how to fix up my own steel stringed instruments.
Even with my big hands I think I'd struggle with the size of that neck! Massive! Though my baseball bat neck Gibson was big!
Great video!!!
Nice history lesson.
Sounds great.
Man this history of this guitar is as fascinating as your excellent work! Great video, thank you!
Great episode, appreciated!
I love the natural reverb that is coming out of that.