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. It also carries Sherry-Brener dealer stickers, indicating that it was originally imported and sold through the Sherry-Brener shop in Chicago, which served as the exclusive US distributor for José Ramírez during the late 1960s and 1970s.
Built by Enrique Borreguero Marcos — Stamp #17
The interior stamp #17 identifies this guitar as the work of Enrique Borreguero Marcos, one of the master builders in the José Ramírez III workshop. According to the official Ramírez record of workshop luthiers, Borreguero initially signed his work with the initials EB before adopting the number 17. His lineage runs deep in the Madrid School: he was the son of Modesto Borreguero, one of the three celebrated disciples of Manuel Ramírez — alongside Santos Hernández and Domingo Esteso — who are considered the founding pillars of the Madrid School of guitar making. Enrique learned the craft as his father's first apprentice before joining the José Ramírez III workshop, making this guitar a genuine piece of second-generation Madrid School craftsmanship.
Condition
This guitar has one professionally repaired crack, shown clearly in the photos, along with wear consistent with a well-played instrument of this age. It is priced accordingly — this is an opportunity to own a golden-era Ramírez 1a with Brazilian rosewood at a significant discount from what a clean 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 |
53mm |
| Fingerboard |
Ebony |
| Neck wood |
Spanish cedar |
| Tuning machines |
Fustero |
| Finish (top) |
Lacquer |
| Action at 12th fret, 6th string |
4.5mm |
| Action at 12th fret, 1st string |
3.0mm |
| Builder stamp |
#17 — Enrique Borreguero Marcos |
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. This is the sound heard on landmark recordings by Andrés Segovia, Christopher Parkening, and many other concert artists of the period.
The 664mm scale length — slightly longer than the standard 650mm — contributes to the guitar's signature bass depth and projection. 1972 places this instrument at the heart of the Ramírez "golden era," after José Ramírez III moved the workshop to Concepción Jerónima in Madrid to meet the demand his instruments had created worldwide.
Sherry-Brener Provenance
Sherry-Brener of Chicago held the exclusive US distribution for José Ramírez from approximately 1967 to 1977. Guitars sold through Sherry-Brener during this period often carry dealer stickers in addition to the original Ramírez label. While Sherry-Brener is also associated with the unauthorized "Segovia Model" gold label — which was applied to guitars without Ramírez's consent — the blue label on this guitar confirms it as a genuine 1a instrument.
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 XGuitars
Every guitar sold through XGuitars — new or pre-owned — receives a hands-on professional setup and thorough inspection. Owner Geoff Ferdón personally inspects and sets up each instrument, checking action height, intonation, neck relief, fret condition, tuning machines, and overall structural integrity. All instruments are stored in a climate-controlled environment at proper humidity and temperature.
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.
