Jose Oribe　[ホセ・オリベ] Suprema

Product Description

Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Finish (Top): Lacquer
Finish (Back & Sides): Lacquer
Tuning Machines: SCHELLER
String Height (1st): 2.7 mm
String Height (6th): 3.5 mm

[Luthier]

Jose Oribe (1932–2026) was born in Pennsylvania, USA, to a Spanish father. Originally an aeronautical engineer, he became fascinated by the classical guitar at 23 and later visited Spain, his father’s homeland. In 1962, he left engineering to open a guitar shop and workshop, becoming a full-time luthier. In 1973, he moved his workshop to the outskirts of San Diego, California, and devoted himself exclusively to guitar making.

Applying the precision and disciplined methods of his engineering background, Oribe developed highly accurate and consistent construction techniques while maintaining the standards of handmade craftsmanship. His refined designs, luxurious finishes, and commitment to tonal balance established him as a respected maker, particularly for his cedar-top guitars, which reflected the Madrid tradition and the influence of José Ramirez.

Using carefully selected tonewoods, including redwood and Brazilian rosewood, he paid meticulous attention to both the exterior and internal structure of his instruments. From the 2000s onward, his production became increasingly limited. He continued working with his son, John Martin, also a guitar maker, until his death in September 2026.

[Instrument]

This used Jose Oribe Suprema was made in 2004 and features a cedar soundboard with cocobolo back and sides. The previous owner purchased it directly from Oribe.

By this period, Oribe had reduced production, concentrating increasingly on commissioned instruments. The Suprema designation is unusual; his established models included the Gran Suprema and Calidad Suprema, apart from OEM models made exclusively for Japan. The name appears to have been used for special commissions from the 2000s onward. Its specifications are comparable to those of the Calidad Suprema, placing it among Oribe’s highest-grade instruments.

The guitar expresses Oribe’s artistry through a rich, resinous tone and vivid natural character. Its lyrical depth is accompanied by a freshness and noble clarity all its own. While Ramirez guitars often emphasize singing trebles, Oribe follows a more traditional Spanish approach, building the sound around deep, weighty bass notes that support the middle and upper registers. The result is a stable, balanced voice, with grounded bass beneath richly textured, lyrical trebles.

The soundboard bracing combines traditional Spanish principles with Oribe’s own refinements, using the same arrangement as the Calidad Suprema. Two harmonic bars sit above and below the soundhole. A short brace appears only on the treble side between them, while concentric reinforcing rings surround the soundhole. The lower bout has seven fan braces supported by two closing bars of unequal length, with the longer treble-side bar and shorter bass-side bar forming an asymmetrical, reversed chevron-like pattern. A thin reinforcing plate lies beneath the bridge area, and the longer closing bar is anchored to the sides with peones.

The precise alignment of the outer treble-side fan brace with the short brace near the soundhole and the reinforcing plate near the neck heel demonstrates Oribe’s exceptional construction accuracy. This asymmetrical layout allows the bass and treble to be controlled independently. Compared with Ramirez’s more prominent treble emphasis, Oribe’s design gives the bass a stronger tonal foundation while preserving overall balance. Whereas Ramirez guitars typically resonate around A, this instrument resonates between G and G-sharp.

The guitar remains in excellent condition, retaining its original finish and components. Only a few tiny marks, approximately 1–2 mm, are visible around the fingerboard edges and soundhole; otherwise, its appearance is remarkably fresh. The neck has a slight forward bow within the normal range, and the frets show virtually no wear. Its slim, softly rounded D-shaped neck and subtly radiused fingerboard offer a comfortable grip.

String height at the 12th fret measures 2.9 mm on the first string and 3.8 mm on the sixth, with approximately 0.5–1.5 mm of saddle remaining. The Schaller tuning machines are fully functional. The body weighs 1.81 kg, somewhat heavier than average.

The guitar comes with a standard hard case rather than Oribe’s distinctive triangular case. Included are a signed copy of The Fine Guitar, an English-language book about Oribe’s own guitar making, and two original workshop polishes, both lightly used.