Serial Number 038

Left Handed Ramirez Modern

Started on December 10, 2024; completed on January 25, 2025

During the time I spent on the last build with Mike, he had mentioned that he didn’t have a classical guitar and I was already thinking of building a classical guitar for the southpaws. This made the next guitar build just that and Mike had come back to help out with the build.

I took the traditional build on the Ramirez with a 2A Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides set. Spanish Cedar is generally used for the neck on a Classical build but I do have a piece of Honduran Mohagony that is correct dimensions only for a Classical guitar. I will decide when it gets to that point.

Another thing from work with Mike was that I had realized that I am not shaping the neck heels as good as they should be. Part of the reason for that may be where the insert gets drilled – somtimes they don’t go in straight to the dovetail so I leave more wood on the heel to compensate. I know I could have went with a mortise and tenon for the join but there isn’t any strength in it like a dovetail.

From some research on the internet, a soundhole at the side of the guitar will actually help give the guitar more volume. I will try to incorporate a side soundhole on this classical – it should be pretty straight foward to do.

Another thing that will be tried on this guitar is one of those bevels for your arm to go over. This shouldn’t be hard to do but would be a nice addition to future guitars.

I am very pleased with how the sound port and arm bevel worked out. It may be something that will be common on the guitars moving forward.

SPECS

Body Classical Ramirez modern, left handed

Scale 660mm

Top Sitka Spruce 2A

Back Indian Rosewood

Sides Indian Rosewood

Neck Honduran Rosewood

Fingerboard Indian Rosewood

Bridge Rosewood

Tuning Machines Gotoh 35G450

Strings D’Addario EJ45 Pro Arte