José Ramirez 1980 (Carmelo Llerena)

Selecting José Ramírez guitars that meet the high standards we seek at MADERA is a complex task. Given the firm’s nearly 150-year history and its vast output, there is naturally a wide range of quality. It is well known that Ramírez established a workshop system with multiple “oficiales” (master builders), a method that significantly increased production.

During the era of this particular guitar, each master builder crafted the instrument from start to finish. However, not all builders worked with the same level of precision, and not every period of Ramírez production meets our criteria for tonal excellence. Here, however, we find a builder of particular interest: Carmelo Llerena who was one of the longest-serving master builders in the history of the Ramírez house, working there from 1961 to 2013. His work is characterized by exceptional precision and a sound that perfectly captures the “Ramírez essence”—the very sound that Andrés Segovia, arguably the most influential guitarist in history, popularized worldwide through his legendary concerts and recordings from 1960 until his passing in 1987.

This 1980 José Ramírez represents a standout period for the house and features the craftsmanship of Llerena, one of the workshop’s most prestigious and long-standing master builders. The guitar’s greatest virtue is its extraordinary balance across the entire register, paired with superb projection and that distinctive, sought-after warmth. Furthermore, the instrument boasts exquisite craftsmanship and is in remarkable condition for its 45-year history: no cracks, no repairs, and entirely original. There is only a scratch below the bridge and some faint play wear near the right-hand area. The distinctive reddish varnish color of Ramírez guitars gives these instruments a truly special aesthetic appeal. The  angles remain perfect, making this guitar an excellent choice for those drawn to the sound and heritage of traditional Madrid lutherie from the second half of the 20th century.

Carmelo Llerena was one of the most prominent official guitar makers of the Ramírez house in Madrid, a family with a long-standing history and prestigious reputation in the world of traditional Spanish guitars. The family workshop was founded by José Ramírez I in the late 19th century, with 1882 established as its official founding date. Today, the firm remains active under José Ramírez V, spanning five generations of master luthiers.

Carmelo Llerena is recognized as one of the most respected and trusted master builders within the family business. He began crafting his own guitars at the Ramírez workshop in 1961 and concluded his tenure in 2013, marking 52 years of dedication and extensive experience within the company. In our opinion, Llerena was one of the finest official builders of the house, performing his craft with exceptional precision and achieving very good quality results. His technical mastery makes him a highly regarded builder whose instruments are now sought after by collectors interested in the history and legacy of José Ramírez history.

Master Llerena was a key figure for the brand, providing stability and preserving the Ramírez identity during generational transitions. Throughout the decades, his guitars have been identified first by the initials “CLL” inside the instrument, and later, from the 1980s, by a specific number located below the soundboard near the fingerboard.