Altamira M01 Antique

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 08:06 AM

As you can see from the pictures (I sure wish I knew how to get the pics to upload in the proper format) the "mustache" bridge pieces were missing. There was a small crack on top which I had repaired. I got this for a ridiculous price because of the crack and mustache. The dealer threw in the mustache which I glued back on. (More pics of the fixed guitar to follow)

This fantastic playing guitar was made in Japan by the same company that Makes the Del Arte imports. I believe it is an older model as the neck profile is kind of squared off instead of the more modern C profile of the newer Altamiras. It is very comfortable and sounds great! Currently the only guitar I really want to play.

Played it at gig this past Saturday and it was a delight to play!

**bohemian46** · 10-24-2016, 09:56 AM

"This fantastic playing guitar was made in Japan by the same company that Makes the Del Arte imports. "

Made in Japan?

It was my understanding the Altamira line is made in China.

**SierraTango** · 10-24-2016, 09:57 AM

Congrats on your Altamira! They are definitely at the top of the heap of Asian made GJG's. Not to burst a bubble here, but Altamira and Latcho Drom are both made in the same shop in China-not Japan.
I've been very pleased with my Manouche Latcho Drom Djangology. It has a Bigtone installed but I seldom use it, it's plenty loud for most gigs.
That being said, you will end up wanting a Dupont after playing one. I'm currently in the hunt.
Enjoy in good health!

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by bohemian46

"This fantastic playing guitar was made in Japan by the same company that Makes the Del Arte imports. "

Made in Japan?

It was my understanding the Altamira line is made in China.

You could very well be right. Regardless, the build quality, sound and feel are fantastic. Country of origin is not a big deal to me. I may have just misunderstood.

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by SierraTango

Congrats on your Altamira! They are definitely at the top of the heap of Asian made GJG's. Not to burst a bubble here, but Altamira and Latcho Drom are both made in the same shop in China-not Japan.
I've been very pleased with my Manouche Latcho Drom Djangology. It has a Bigtone installed but I seldom use it, it's plenty loud for most gigs.
That being said, you will end up wanting a Dupont after playing one. I'm currently in the hunt.
Enjoy in good health!

No bubble burst here. I LOVE the guitar and don't care where it is from. I better never play a Dupont! Not until my ship comes in anyway.

**callouscallus** · 10-24-2016, 10:41 AM

I've got an MO1D. Mine is older with the more flat neck profile.

Excellent chinese build quality! Mine was set up and by a tech in nashville who made my guitar extremely easy to play. These are great guitars, wise choice.

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by callouscallus

I've got an MO1D. Mine is older with the more flat neck profile.

Excellent chinese build quality! Mine was set up and by a tech in nashville who made my guitar extremely easy to play. These are great guitars, wise choice.

The neck profile on mine is also the older flat style. Still very comfortable to play.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-24-2016, 01:19 PM

The Altamiras and their slightly more expensive cousins, the Latcho Drom guitars, are VERY cool instruments.

If I find myself in the need for a gypsy guitar again some day, this is the route I'm headed.

**Stringswinger** · 10-24-2016, 01:50 PM

Congrats on the new guitar. AltaMiras are widely thought to be the best Asian made Selmer copies. A Dupont is in a different league. Kind of like a Benedetto is in a different league from an Epiphone.

The square neck profile mimics vintage Selmers. Dupont does this on their Ville Reserve guitars. Most other Duponts have C or D profiles.

Gypsy guitars sound best with rest stroke picking. It is not a bad skill to develop. Joe Pass and George Benson used/uses it. Michael Horowitz wrote a book called "Gypsy Picking" that is a must have for those who want their Gypsy guitars to sound their best.

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Congrats on the new guitar. AltaMiras are widely thought to be the best Asian made Selmer copies. A Dupont is in a different league. Kind of like a Benedetto is in a different league from an Epiphone.

The square neck profile mimics vintage Selmers. Dupont does this on their Ville Reserve guitars. Most other Duponts have C or D profiles.

Gypsy guitars sound best with rest stroke picking. It is not a bad skill to develop. Joe Pass and George Benson used/uses it. Michael Horowitz wrote a book called "Gypsy Picking" that is a must have for those who want their Gypsy guitars to sound their best.

I have had a chance to tour the Benedetto factory and have played several Benedettos. Nothing will ever come close in my humble opinion. I dare not try a Dupont!

I am going to order the Gypsy Picking book. I am working on rest stroke picking and actually enjoying it. I see improvement every day.

**Stringswinger** · 10-24-2016, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by rsclosson

I have had a chance to tour the Benedetto factory and have played several Benedettos. Nothing will ever come close in my humble opinion. I dare not try a Dupont!

I am going to order the Gypsy Picking book. I am working on rest stroke picking and actually enjoying it. I see improvement every day.

Strings and picks are different in the world of Gypsy guitars as well. These guitars sound best with silvered strings (as opposed to Bronze, nickel or stainless), and require light strings (no bigger than 11's). Many players like big picks (Wegen picks are very popular). I suggest a pick no thinner than 1.5 mm.

I have a love-hate relationship with Gypsy guitars. I think they have a great sound in an strictly acoustic setting, but I also think it is near impossible to amplify them well and find them more difficult to play than an archtop. For rhythm guitar in a drummerless combo, they cannot be beat.

Good luck on your journey!

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Strings and picks are different in the world of Gypsy guitars as well. These guitars sound best with silvered strings (as opposed to Bronze, nickel or stainless), and require light strings (no bigger than 11's). Many players like big picks (Wegen picks are very popular). I suggest a pick no thinner than 1.5 mm.

I have a love-hate relationship with Gypsy guitars. I think they have a great sound in an strictly acoustic setting, but I also think it is near impossible to amplify them well and find them more difficult to play than an archtop. For rhythm guitar in a drummerless combo, they cannot be beat.

Good luck on your journey!

My Dunlop big Stubby 3.0mm work very well. I may try a Wegan, but losing one could be traumatic. I have a Dunlop Primetone 5mm but it just sounds too mellow.

The guitar came strung with Argentine 10s and they sound great! I might try the less expensive D'addario Gypsy strings but have been told that they sound dull compared to the Argentines.

I backed up a clarinet player on about 4 songs Saturday. He said it was the best sounding rhythm section he had ever played with in years, so I have to agree on the rhythm.

**Stringswinger** · 10-24-2016, 03:09 PM

I have found Argie 10's to be the best. And they last longer than the D'addarios, making them cost effective as well. I agree that the Dunlop 5mm is too mellow. The Big Stubby has a sharper attack than the Wegans. If you want to try a Wegan, PM me. I can make you a great deal on them.

**rsclosson** · 10-24-2016, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I have found Argie 10's to be the best. And they last longer than the D'addarios, making them cost effective as well. I agree that the Dunlop 5mm is too mellow. The Big Stubby has a sharper attack than the Wegans. If you want to try a Wegan, PM me. I can make you a great deal on them.

PM Sent!

**rsclosson** · 10-25-2016, 07:28 AM

**rsclosson** · 11-17-2016, 11:48 AM

The last time I did a gig with this, I used it as a solo guitar. I also backed a clarinetist for several tunes using more of my comping style instead of gypsy jazz rhythm. It sounded great in both of these nontraditional (for this type of guitar) styles.

I had brought my 7 string along but it never left the case.

I am getting more and more convinced that this can be my "everything" guitar. Kind of surprised about that.

**mr. beaumont** · 11-17-2016, 11:52 AM

Dude, you're totally making me fiend for a GJ guitar again. This is not good

**rsclosson** · 11-17-2016, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Dude, you're totally making me fiend for a GJ guitar again. This is not good

Sorry 'bout that. On the other hand I wish I had done it sooner. Now I am GASsing for a D hole!

I am also wondering how something like an Epi Century would work as a rhythm guitar.

**mr. beaumont** · 11-17-2016, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by rsclosson

Sorry 'bout that. On the other hand I wish I had done it sooner. Now I am GASsing for a D hole!

I am also wondering how something like an Epi Century would work as a rhythm guitar.

Lol, no worries.

I'm actually still completely head over heels for this cheap Ovation I bought this summer. It's covering a lot of ground I would have used an archtop for, which is crazy.

I had a long scale D hole, really was a great guitar. I sold it last year, was getting out of the gypsy jazz thing and it was collecting dust. Probably should have just hung on to it.

**rsclosson** · 11-17-2016, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Lol, no worries.

I'm actually still completely head over heels for this cheap Ovation I bought this summer. It's covering a lot of ground I would have used an archtop for, which is crazy.

With my experience with the Altamira, I think it is not so crazy. Rhythm behind the clarinetist sounded so good I got compliments, from the crowd and the clarinetist.