Founded in Madrid in 1882 by José Ramírez I, Guitarras Ramírez is one of the oldest and most storied classical guitar workshops in Spain. The firm grew out of the Madrid school of luthiery, with José Ramírez I training a generation of makers — including his brother Manuel Ramírez, Julián Gómez Ramírez and Francisco Simplicio — and is widely credited with developing the louder, more projecting tablao guitar for flamenco performers. The business has remained in the Ramírez family for five generations, passing through José Ramírez II, the influential José Ramírez III, and José Ramírez IV, with Amalia Ramírez and the next generation continuing the workshop's tradition.

The house is best known for its handmade concert classical and flamenco guitars, including flagship models such as the 1a Tradicional and the Auditorio, alongside the Estudio, Centenario and limited anniversary models. José Ramírez III's redesign of the concert classical guitar in the 1960s — featuring a longer 664mm scale and revised internal bracing — became a reference point for modern concert instruments and was widely copied by other luthiers.

Ramírez instruments have been played by major figures across classical, flamenco and popular music, with Andrés Segovia's long association with the workshop being the most famous. Other artists historically linked to the brand include Paco de Lucía, Manuel Barrueco, George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

Jose Ramirez has 5 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Classical & Nylon-String Guitars. Their gear is featured by 10 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Mike Oldfield, George Harrison, and John Lennon.