Altamira M01 Antique

Pros: everything is just done right

Cons: (really, there are none at all!)

if it's not exactly what you wanted out of the box, give it a week. you'll be amazed. this guitar is going to be great. it's taken me a bit of getting used to, but am so glad now. decades ago, i played rock/funk on really heavy solid bodies, then later jazz on a heavily laminated 17"-wide arch-top. so in my brain, i still associate a serious guitar with weight. whereas the altimira feels like a feather! ultimately, that will make it more relaxing to play. the strings feel like a hybrid between steel and nylon. the best of both worlds. feel the vibrations in your fingers better, notes bend more easily. but far more comfortable for your fingertips, after a few hours. likely standard with manouch, but new to me. the frets feel a bit more widely spaced (like a classical) but that also (once you get used to it) ends up making one-note runs clearer. whereas chords require stretching (or longer fingers). but primarily this (with a petit bouche) guitar is for soloing/melodies/arpeggios anyway. but i assume if you are shopping here, you know the diff. even the 10th fret being marked (instead of 9th) was awkward initially, but has proven to be a good move. i have nothing useful to say about the tone. surely great, but i really believe a good guitarist will make any instrument sound wonderful. only mediocre musicians need obsess over their tools. the appreciation of the player for the way the instrument feels is the crucial thing. and though a gypsy guitar won't feel standard at first. all the tiny differences will surely end up improving your playing. even if only because it is so comfortable, you practice more often and for longer. the "cherry on top" is that it looks so great. actors do well to rehearse wearing the right shoes for the character. similarly, the visual aesthetic of this guitar really does that trick! psych yourself out: "surely, the player of this guitar must be really good". was even pleased with the altimira case. solid, leather handle, plush inside. and even though a set-up can only get so good, this one is right on. glad i bought it here. all in all, am pleased with the purchase.

Submitted by: some guy on 09/26/2022 08:56:37 AM

Pros: Very good looking instrument and fine finishing.

Cons: I expected a better playability, but I will go for an adjustment with my luthier. Nice sound too, not to loud as I expected.

I am very happy with my experience shopping at Djangobooks, it is very easy and totally safe even though I am in another country. The guitar arrives in perfect condition and in a very short time. About the guitar, I bought this one on Michael's recommendation, originally I wanted a Gitane brand guitar, but it really convinced me with the Altamira guitars. I am happy to have listened to his recommendation, it is a very nice instrument and the price is also very good. I hope soon to buy again in djangobooks, highly recomended.

Submitted by: Gerry on 03/20/2021 10:28:14 AM

As a beginner in the genre, I was tempted to cheap-out on my first purchase but I figured I might ask Michael for some guidance on which guitars he would recommend. He pointed me in the direction of the Altamira guitars and I'm glad he did because this instrument is great! The tone, feel, and projection of this guitar is amazing and it's hard to even consider opting for the traditional M01 because the "antique" version is beautiful.

Submitted by: rcjpisani on 03/20/2018 08:26:06 PM

With some excellent guidance from Michael at djangobooks.com, I purchased an Altamira M01 antique. Upon first glance, I was immediately taken by the beautiful rustic finish of the top. Once I started playing, I was totally immersed in this guitar and had a hard time putting it down. Tone, projection, playability, everything was far more than I expected. I find myself using it for more than Gypsy Jazz, I played a solo chord melody gig with it and loved it. I received many compliments on my sound. I also accompanied a clarinetist who played several styles of jazz. Every style worked perfectly with this guitar. The clarinetist and many listeners were very complimentary of the tone. This guitar is a real treat and one of the best values I have ever had in an instrument! Highly recommended!

Submitted by: rsclosson on 11/18/2016 06:33:22 AM