Are Altamira Jazz guitars handmade?

[adamrhowe]

I read that Altamira Jazz guitars are handmade by just 2 luthiers - is this true? I have my eye on either an M01 or M30. Thanks!

[mr. beaumont]

Not a chance, but they're nicely done.

[Woody Sound]

Not a chance, but they're nicely done.

I don't know if it helps, but see this:

Construction — Altamira Guitars

[adamrhowe]

Every source (such as that one) says they are handmade but I don't know how they can be at those prices!

[John A.]

I think it probably depends on what you mean by "handmade". If you mean "only with hand-held non-power-tools", they're clearly not handmade (nor is pretty much any other guitar). But if the opposite of that is "made almost entirely by robots", no guitars are made that way either. They're all a blend of manual and mechanized processes. Altamiras are cheap for their quality because they're made in places where labor is cheap.

I think saying "handmade" is a bit like "all natural" with foods. Make of it what you will. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

[ragman1]

Are Altamira Jazz guitars handmade?

Yes. I doubt if it would be possible to make a decent guitar with machines only. Highly unlikely.

But how many luthiers Altamira have, I've no idea. They're made in China. See this from their N. American Sales Manager. He does mention two luthiers, Lucas and Hanson, but only in relation to their concert guitar series.

'Thank you for your interest in Altamira Guitars! Sorry for the late reply, I'm new to this wonderful forum.

Along with our business in the music industry, I'm also Altamira's North America Sales Manager. Please allow me to provide some info for you regarding Altamira: The guitars are made in China with traditional Spanish methods, materials are imported from reputable suppliers in Europe. Guitar building processes are designed by Master Luthiers and quality is carefully controlled. Altamira also has a concert guitar series called Lucas & Hanson which are designed and hand-made by Master Luthiers Lucas (Spain) and Hanson (China).'

Altamira guitars? - Classical Guitar

[Sam Sherry]

It's advertising. Take it wish a grain of salt.

Almost all guitar advertising is written by people who are not luthiers and statistically by people who are not guitarists.

"Hand made" can mean, 'No-one used their feet.'
"Solid wood" can mean, 'Not liquid or gaseous.'

[Gitterbug]

Looking at the vast price range, from a marketing perspective I think the brand spreads itself too thinly to be credible at the high end. The gypsy jazz guitars are no doubt excellent in the price category, but no way they're hand made in the traditional sense of the word. Is that good or bad is another question; what's wrong with a CNC milling machine doing precisely the same thing tirelessly 24/7 if need be? Plenty of room for manual work in the gluing together and finishing nevertheless. Ultimately, it's the design, the woods and quality control that matter.

[st.bede]

I think it probably depends on what you mean by "handmade". If you mean "only with hand-held non-power-tools", they're clearly not handmade (nor is pretty much any other guitar). But if the opposite of that is "made almost entirely by robots", no guitars are made that way either. They're all a blend of manual and mechanized processes. Altamiras are cheap for their quality because they're made in places where labor is cheap.

I think saying "handmade" is a bit like "all natural" with foods. Make of it what you will. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

My favorite example of this phenomenal, is when I am at a restaurant and a food is declared to be “homemade”... not only is it definitely not homemade according to the denotation, it is not even homemade according to the connotation.

Denotation: at home.

Connotation: specially hand selected ingredients of high quality, made by a person who uses their family recipe that has been passed down, maybe the ingredients are not even mixed with a measuring device, small batches are made every now and again, each time it is a little different... and we can always trust mom because she makes it with love.

[JGinNJ]

Funny, I was just at a jam session last night where a guy brought one of those and did a couple of tunes. I chatted with him about it because earlier in the day I had tried a used ( and very expensive) Michael Dunn petit bouche.
He liked his Altamira and saw no need for an expensive one. I tend to agree, when I did my try-out I brought my Zoom recorder, and listening back it didn't sound any better than my $100 Yamaha flattop with nickel strings on it.

If you like the sound of that style guitar, great. I thought it sounded kind of abrasive amplified.

[Stringswinger]

Funny, I was just at a jam session last night where a guy brought one of those and did a couple of tunes. I chatted with him about it because earlier in the day I had tried a used ( and very expensive) Michael Dunn petit bouche.
He liked his Altamira and saw no need for an expensive one. I tend to agree, when I did my try-out I brought my Zoom recorder, and listening back it didn't sound any better than my $100 Yamaha flattop with nickel strings on it.

If you like the sound of that style guitar, great. I thought it sounded kind of abrasive amplified.

I have played a few Altamiras and find them quite abrasive. The Best Gypsy guitars (Vintage Selmers, Favinos, Shelly Parks and Duponts) do not sound abrasive to me. I guess some players like that abrasive sound. For them the Altamira is perfect. Certainly not for me.