Spanish Guitar Makers - Quotes - Anthony Leamy - Fine Classical Guitars  

 

 

Guitar making in the words of the Spanish guitar makers J. Ramirez, A. Torres and the guitarist Julian Bream.
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Regarding the quest for ever greater volume.
"..it is, in my considered opinion, a debatable virtue to search for greater volume of sound at the expense of sound quality."  (J. Bream, Introduction to "Antonio Torres Guitar Maker - His Life & Work", J.L. Romanillos.)
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Rosewood, Maple, Cypress... ? After having produced with his team of guitar makers approximately 18,000 units (guitars) over a period of 43 years,  J. Ramirez III comments on the subject of woods: 
"..I consider that the woods that make up the body (sides and back) of a guitar have very little influence on its sound since this depends more on the appropriate thicknesses selected and on the internal structure..." 
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Cedar (thuya plicata) soundboards: a relative newcome. 
" I am completely convinced that if somebody like Stradivarius could have had the opportunity of knowing this wood, he would have used it for many of his violins." (J. Ramirez. III, "Things about the Guitar")
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Secrets of the trade? Thicknessing the soundboard. When is it right?
"It is the result of the feel of the tips of the thumb and forefinger communicating to my intellect whether the soundboard is properly worked out to correspond with the guitar maker's concept and the sound required of the instrument." (Antonio Torres - "Antonio de Torres Guitar Maker - His Life & Work", Jose L. Romanillos)
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On the financial rewards of guitar making:
"José Ramirez I used to say that if a guitar maker did not die in a state funded hospital, it was because he lacked the means to get there." (J. Ramirez III, "Things about the Guitar")

detail of ebony and maple heel cap in RM Spanish guitar
 

   
 
 

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