Product: Jose Ramirez R4
Price Paid: US $800
Submitted
03/09/2005
at
04:44am
by
Anonymous
Features
:
9
Mine was a 1999 model. No clue what kind of wood was used, etc. (except that it smelled good!).
Sound
:
10
Up to a point, the sound was Magnificent! The problem was that it went way out of tune as you moved down (or up?) the fret board. While it was perfectly in tune at the 5th fret, at the 12th it was god-awful. Changed strings to see if that would help, but it didn't. I assume the frets were mispositioned or something. But, for the part that was in tune, the sound, on a 1 to 10 scale, was a deep, rich, sustaining, 10!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Flawless construction, rather heavy to hold, but a good solid feel.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
It seemed very sturdy and long lasting.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Wasn't an issue. Just wish the thing didn't go out of tune up the fret board.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
This is hard. Again, on the part of the fret board where it was in tune, it was magnificent, but that doesn't do you much good when you go to play a Major bar chord somewhere up the fret board and it makes you wince. I really can't rate this -- half magnificent/half abysmal.
Product: Jose Ramirez R4
Price Paid: US $1800
Submitted
02/24/2004
at
11:31am
by
Anonymous
Features
:
8
The R4 is the top of the line for the R series with solid rosewood sides and back, the highest-grade quarter-sawn cedar top, an ebony fingerboard, Spanish cedar neck. 650mm scale, 52mm nut, laquer finish.
Made in Spain. Ramirez molded hard shell case, which is grossly inadequate. The frets seem to jut out slightly along the edge of the fingerboard. One feels as if they might get injured if the slide the inner hand along the surface to vigorously.
Sound
:
8
The sound of this guitar is tight and warm. I have strung it with carbon trebles and am still wanting for brightness. The basses are not deep. It does have nice sustain and harmonic undertones. I hope the wood opens up and the sound becomes a little more open. Volume is satisfactory.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
8
The action is really good, better than most other Ramirez guitars I have played. They way the strings sit on the saddle is a little disturbing. The notches are not deep enough for the wound strings. When you play forcefully, they tend to become dislodged which affects the sound. I find myself occasionally trying to reseat them. No problem with the trebles.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
There is no doubt that this is a very well constructed instrument that will last a lifetime with proper care.
Customer Support
:
10
The Ramirez Company itself is top notch. An inquiry about a problem I was having with another one of there guitars resulted in a replacement for a new one of the same model. Ramirez stands behind its instruments.
Overall Rating
:
9
I have been playing giutar for 35 years. Classical, on and off, for about 10 years. As of this review, I am playing Classical guitar exclusively. If this guitar were lost or stolen, I probaly would not replace it. Not because there is anything wrong with it, but because I am starting to favor spruce tops. Overall it is a lovely instrument that I will probably hold on to for quite a while. There is no reason to replace it or trade it in at the moment. My instructor has said that in time the wood will open up and I will learn how to get the best sound out of it. I have heard me instructor play it and it does sound nice when you are sitting in front of it.
Sound is a very personal thing. Play one for yourself and decide. Ramirez makes quality instruments and you won't be disappointed in that regard.
