Effects of Laminate back and sides

AmmonB

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Noodlenot, your response was very helpful and helped define some things for me.

Michael Horowitz wrote:

What I've noticed is that with the Asian made instruments solid back and sides yield superior tone and projection. The solid wood Altamiras almost sound as good as a Dupont. However, highend hand made instruments don't seem to be as sensitive to the differences between solid and laminate back and sides. I attribute this to the superior skill and materials used in making the laminate handmade guitars.

Speaking of which, I'm picking up a fresh load of Altamiras right now, including several solid wood models!

Michael, I'd be very interested in whatever Altamiras you've picked up. Which models did you get? Which would you recommend? What were you thinking' price-wise?

MichaelHorowitz

AmmonB wrote:

Michael, I'd be very interested in whatever Altamiras you've picked up. Which models did you get? Which would you recommend? What were you thinking' price-wise?

Just unpacked them....many are already sold but you can see what's left here:

http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/alt ... amira.html

I don't have vids or photos for the solid wood models but will soon. They sound fantastic, especially the solid rosewood model which in a blindfold test could easily be confused with a European guitar.

M

AmmonB

Awesome! I should be able to get one in about a week! I'm excited.

Jazzaferri

Good solid wood backs of species used in lutherie will usually be more musically resonant than a ply back