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RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to SephardRick)
quote:
OK...So, if I slop the top of the saddle to allow more string-to-saddle surface area might enhance the trebles?
Without getting into the theory, I just felt that saddle #1 had a fuller, more articulate punch. Saddle #2 was sort of "leaving something out", presence maybe.
I would also prefer a saddle that leaves a hair of gap to the backside of the slot than one that is too tight.
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to Ruphus)
quote:
You want both, saddle and nut to be perfectly flat at the bottom and allow neat and thorough contact with the slot bottom. Reduction of surface will be loss of transmitting. Also be cautious with their crown. It effects the intonation. Even just slight out of intonation will significantly reduce fun with the instrument
Ok...I always take special care to file the G string. Keeping that break angle closer to the tie block than the other strings.
Posts: 3487
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to SephardRick)
I've had a '67 cedar/cypress Ramirez 1a since it was new. I don't remember what strings I tried on it, but I soon settled on the Savarez "red card" 520R, which I have used ever since. But in the 1960s there weren't nearly as many types of strings readily available as there are now via places like Strings by Mail.
Of the flamencas I have played, I liked a friend's '73 spruce /cypress "media luna" Conde a bit better than the Ramirez, and I like my '82 Arcangel Fernandez spruce/cypress much better than any other flamenca I have played.
Until I got the Arcangel, I wasn't particularly motivated to play anything but the Ramirez, though I did offer to buy my friend's '73 Conde. I definitely liked the Ramirez better than a friend's '76 spruce/cypress Reyes. The pulsation of the Reyes was too soft to suit me.
I got out the Ramirez the other day for the first time in a few months. It's not as brilliant and percussive as the Arcangel, but after a few minutes' adjustment it was brilliant and percussive enough to enjoy playing it a lot.
I have played several other cedar/cypress Ramirez from the '60s and '70s. I thought they were all good guitars. I thought a few were about as good as mine, but I didn't really prefer any of them to mine.
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
Hi Mr. Jernigan,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Ramirez and other guitars. I grew up in Dallas in the 60's. Our instructor would mail order strings in for us. Our choices then were La Bella, La Bella, or none at all. Like my grandmother use to say: You are a living in the good times. So, I appreciate all these string choices today.
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to jshelton5040)
quote:
ORIGINAL: jshelton5040
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ruphus
John,
And first time that I sharpened a planes blade I must have been around the age of 13 or so.
It's called a plane iron not a blade, mr. expert.
I thought you were talking about understanding basics in a handcrafting. However, as it appears you have switched focus on language. Yours truely has to sort through remains of 7 languages. How many languages would it be on your side?
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to Sr. Martins)
OK then. Here is my last MRT.
...
... I know, it looks as if it was a bit small or so, but that is only due to this weird picturing technology. Probably something wrong with algorithms or such; what do I know.
All I know is that in the way that my head feels so heavy there is no way for just a small brain be contained in there. It must actually weigh at least as much as a contemporary classical Ramirez. |O]
Ruphus
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Posts: 3487
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to SephardRick)
quote:
ORIGINAL: SephardRick
Hi Mr. Jernigan,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Ramirez and other guitars. I grew up in Dallas in the 60's. Our instructor would mail order strings in for us. Our choices then were La Bella, La Bella, or none at all. Like my grandmother use to say: You are a living in the good times. So, I appreciate all these string choices today.
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to jshelton5040)
quote:
I tried that about 30-40 years ago and couldn't detect any difference. I also experimented with saddles made from various materials including brass with the same result. One of my customers took this to an extreme and had a solid gold saddle made for his guitar which changed nothing. Using different materials for nuts and saddles is a fad that happens every few years and then thankfully vanishes. I wouldn't waste your money on a brass nut. Sometimes you have to accept that your guitar has some shortcomings and try to make adjustments like playing a little closer to the bridge.
RE: Ramirez Trebles Recommendation (in reply to Guest)
Update:
Tried out the La Bella 820 red trebles. The results were very satisfactory. The 820 trebles really balance well with the bass strings in projection. Plus, they are musical. I now understand why Ricardo speaks highly of the 820's.
Also, tried Luthiers 20 trebles with surprising results. The trebles were stronger in projection over existing bass strings. What a shot in the arm for this Ramirez. They are almost too strong, but I like that. They are very crystal sounding.
Both the La Bella 820's and Luthiers 20 resolved the weak treble problem. Thanks agains for everyone's suggestions.
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