Signed Ramirez 1a concert classical guitar blue label Start Price USD 4,999.99 Current Price USD 4,999.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, September 03, 2008 End Time Sunday, September 07, 2008 Location Nashville, Tennessee See more about 'Signed Ramirez 1a concert classical guitar blue label' Description  Please see my eBay store listings for  numerous other fine classical guitars.Greetings from Jerry Roberts in Nashville TNUp for Sale is a signed 1977 1a Classical guitar built in Madrid in the legendary Jose Ramirez shopYear of construction: 1977*****Scale: 664mm*****Back & sides wood: select solid E. Indian Rosewood (sides have the cypress lining like nearly all 1a Ramirez from the mid sixties forward)*****Soundboard wood: western red cedar*****Tuning gears: Fusteros***** All original finish, overall excellent condition, almost new looking, but with just a few very minor cosmetic issues on the soundboard.This is not to be confused with the “Guitarras de Estudio” which were made for Ramirez on contract by other lesser known shops in Spain. See my little essay at the end of of this description. This is a 1a model with the blue border around the label, similar to the one Segovia played and similar to the one I sold to Chrisopher Parkening some 20 years ago. For more photos please email me at jmr19233@flash.net and mention classical guitar in the subject line.Packing, insurance and UPS ground shipping to most US locations is $69.99 & up. I  accept USPS  Money Orders available only from the US  Post  Office, as well as cashiers checks from Bank of America, Regionsbank, USBank with no delay.  Checks from banks with no Branch in Nashville might cause a delay before shipment while I wait for your check to clear.Anyone wanting to bid from outside the USA, please get in touch early and I will consider your request based on your eBay history, method of payment, etc. If approved I can add you to a list of bidders allowed to bid from outside the US.  Please see my feedback and bid with confidence. Happy bidding!Spanish Made "Student" Guitars    I can offer these words of caution from a five decade veteran of the classical guitar wars. Top Madrid makers, particularly Ramirez, Contreras, Manzanero, Rozas & Bernabe,  have long sold “student models” as well as finer guitars made in their own shops.  Typically these "guitarras de estudio" are made by the lowest bidder in one of several good economy guitar workshops in Valencia. These shops, such as Esteve, Raimundo,  Alhambra,  might  have 50 employees.  Quality varies anwhere  from factory to handmade depending on price. Street values starting around $500 US in 2008.  Guitars made  by these firms for the Madrid school makers usually share these characteristics:1) Shape carved into the end of the peghead differs fromguitars actually made in the Madrid shops. Makers save their trademark shape for their own output.2) Often no year of construction on the label.3) No signature on label.4) Label sometimes say “Estudio”  or “Guitarreria”or some other telltale phrase.5) Usually has a model #, Signed Madrid made models did not always have a model, especially before 1990’s6) Do not have the same chance of appreciation as a signed  instrument actually made by the maker named on the label.    In my opinion these fine Madrid makers are not trying to deceive anyone, but rather to get a slice of the market share in the entry level to medium price range. However many shoppers new to the classical guitar market have no way of knowing the difference without the advice of a seasoned expert. Also some owners of these guitars often either knowingly or unknowingly try to convince prospective buyers that the guitar was a Madrid made instrument.Many buyers acquire these guitars thinking they have bought the real thing, only to be disappointed when they find out thy did not buy the real thing.  While such a guitar is made in Spain, and is marketed by the maker named on the label, it is not MADE by the maker on the label. Guitars labeled Esteve, Raimundo, Alhambra, and other  good makers from the Valencian  province are for the most part a good value. When they bear the label of the actual shop that made them, they are available at a lower price than those made under contract for the Madrid school makers. In short, seek out the advice of an experienced expert before parting with your hard earned cash. I have photos of the pegheads etc. of most Madrid school makers and would be glad to email you a photo from my files if you are looking at a guitar and are not sure if you are seeing  a "real" Madrid made guitar or an "Estudio".   Please feel free to be in touch with any further questions.thanksJerry Roberts   jmr19233@flash.netwhen sending an email,  please mention classical guitar in the subject line. Place a Bid!