Flamenco Guitars: 1956 Rafael Morales Ramirez (1910-1978)

Rafael Morales Ramirez (1910-1978) by Isidro Garrido Cantos (1922-)

$3,000

657 mm Scale, 52 mm Nut. Fine to Medium grain Soundboard and Cypress back and sides. 7 Fan Braces. French Polish, original Fustero Gears that still work fine. Lightweight, weighing 1,213 grams or 43.32 ozs. = 2 lbs. 11 ozs. This has been restored, it had 13 cracks, now it is a cannon.

Isidro Garrido Cantos began as a cabinet maker then turned to making instruments for Rafael Morales Ramirez for many years, eventually using his own label, but his earliest works carry this label. Rafael Morales Ramirez is the author of a 117 page Hardbound Flamenco Method published in Granada in 1954, he was a student of Ramon Montoya. In the photo of Ramon Montoya dated December 21, 1940 the dedication says "To my best disciple in proof of my great affection from your friend, Ramon Montoya, Madrid 21-12-1940." Then below Rafael writes: "To Don Ramon Montoya, my unforgettable teacher, the pinnacle and prestige of the Flamenco Guitar, as a posthumous homage. Rafael Morales."

I received my copy in late 1993 by acquiring the archive of Jack Buckingham.