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As an owner of a Mateos Jazz B (oval hole), I think they offer great value. A big part of the appeal for me wass not needing to go for a future upgrade vs starting with an Altamira or Gitane, but it doesn't fully break the bank like the flagship models in the $4000+ range.
The removable pickup is great if you ever plan on amplifying your guitar, although I mostly play it acoustic. It does sound very good and nudges it above the competition in the same price range that would require purchasing a different pickup.
I love the sound of the guitar overall. I played it against several others and decided it was the one that sounded best to my ear. Compared to the Dupont Nomade, it sounds a bit less traditional but still that dry tone, not wet at all. It feels more polished than the Nomade too, nicer bridge, tuners, etc, in my opinion. Both solid guitars and sound and play great, just those small details that pushed me towards the Mateos.
I've heard that Frank Zappa said "you buy the one that tells you to take it home". That's how I bought my two electrics and the flattop. I got my Selmer style custom ordered from the luthier (which by the way, look at Ivanovski guitars, it's in your budget I think and his guitars are very good) and while it didn't have that immediate effect on me, I've liked it and still do (plus I played several very expensive guitars and they they didn't tell me to take them home either). Because I'm in the camp of thinking that playability comes first and my guitar always felt good to play. When it comes to the hands of the player vs the tone of the guitar, I think they're two completely separate things. As in, Stochelo will sound like himself on any guitar but every guitar will sound differently also, both have their own voice.
I ended up buying a new Mateos Jazz B , oval hole, sight unseen (no GJ dealers in my part of Europe) and have been really happy with it.
Bill
If you are in Stockholm, I believe Gustav Lundgren still hosts a jam in Södermalm on Mondays.
There are also a couple other groups up there if you search around. Players in this style are usually pretty friendly and are happy to let you try their guitars and talk about them. You will probably get to play some guitars that have a decent set up as well, these guitars are often not setup correctly at guitar shops.
If you're ever in Skåne, feel free to look me up and we can have a fika and jam. 🤘
I am born in Hässleholm, then lived in Malmo before moving to lost Angeles in 1988
I've done the opposite journey! From SF and now live in Malmö! 🤠
Awesome. I hope you like it there. I used to live right across the street from Pub 25 by Möllevångs torget:)
Copy pasted from a different thread asking the same type of question. You can literally sub in any guitar that's less than ~$3,000 USD for "Dell'Arte" and my opinion would be the same.
+++
Just going to weigh in as someone who has played and owns an Altamira, sold an Eastman, and played a few Dell'Artes.
Go for the Altamira.
It seems like this is your first gypsy guitar. You may stick with the style, you may not. Altamira M01 is the best bang for your buck starter guitar for Gypsy Jazz - bar none.
Let's say you don't stick with the style. You're down less than a grand, and the Altamira is pretty easy to resell due to it's lower price. Dell'Arte... not so much.
But let's say you do stick with the style. You'll eventually pine for a nicer guitar, more authentic sound, better playing, maybe an exotic wood... and you're going to feel that way with the Altamira, or the Eastman, or the Dell'Arte. So why spend the extra money? Plus, when you do buy that nicer guitar, you now have a fabulous travel / camping / lender guitar in the Altamira.
Lastly - get it setup by a reputable repairman, better if they work with Selmer style guitars. A good setup will make or break your experience, and even the best guitars need them.
Yeah, I've not been to those jams since the pandemic started, I know that the place has shut down since, but I would not be suprised if Gustav and co have moved to another place to jam!
Might be moving to Malmö in August, so who knows, might send you a message then! Thanks, for the invitation!
Thank you for the tip! The Altamira M01 sure is a great deal and the one that I've been looking (the antique one to be specific) at as a competitor to the Geronimo. I'm leaning towards getting the Geronimo, but will have to take a moment to decide how I will do now.
Your point about making it easier to resell and at lesser loss is a great point!
Get to the jams, get to Samois if you can where you can play loads of guitars at Luthier stalls. They all look similar on the internet but there's lots of variety. The shape of the hole is the most visible difference online but when you're playing, it's one of the least important differences. I don't believe anyone could really tell the difference tonally in a blind test and just to make things more complicated, these guitars are notorious for sounding very different to the player (some put sound ports in to try and get round that problem).
For me, the neck is the most important thing - it's shape and feel really defines how I get on with it as a player. The other big difference to consider is between laminate and solid wood. Personally I prefer laminate and most guitars in your budget are laminated but I know many players lean towards solid wood construction these days. The tones are similar but I always feel I have to work harder to get the tone out of solids.
It's easy to get pulled into rabbit holes reading about these guitars online. I remember when I first started out I convinced myself that AJL guitars were the best, based largely on people's rave reviews, videos I'd seen and those gorgeous hi-res photos on Ari's website, but when I got to try them they didn't land for me. But really, you're in a good market because no one makes a bad guitar in this field. Even the cheap ones are worth the asking money.
Incidentally, if you ever graduate to a luthier made guitar, check out your countryman Jerome Duffell, although he's not living in Sweden at the moment he is one of the best in my opinion, every guitar I've played of his is exceptional and he puts a lot of effort into using period authentic tools and techniques.