Review: Altamira Basico and N300 Classical Guitars

In this video, CGC Community Manager Dave Belcher reviews two student-level classical guitars from Altamira Guitarras: the Basico and N300.
Both of these instruments are part of Altamira's "student" line of guitars and are handmade instruments with solid tops and built in a Spanish style.
Altamira Basico: $349 USD
Altamira N300: $699 USD
This video is not sponsored by Altamira, but they were generous enough to loan Dave these two guitars for review. Many thanks to Altamira! Learn more about Altamira's guitars here:
www.altamiraguitars.com
Let us know what you think of each guitar in the comments. Do you have a favorite?
0:00 Francisco Tárrega, "Pavana" (fragment)
0:24 Intro
0:44 Altamira Basico
3:00 Sound
8:38 Altamira N300
14:40 Playability
18:27 Franciso Tárrega, "Pavana" (on both guitars)

[@Michajeru]

This is a truely excellent review. I am very impressed with both guitars for the price.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Great review! I plugged in the soundbar to make a better decision and the N300 had a deeper, richer sound. The Basico was still good, but a bit less low end, likely due to the use of different tone woods. I think the rosewood is what accounts for the "traditional" sound of the N300. To get a tone that good for under $1k is impressive.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Josh, Glad you liked the video! Yes, I agree that the rosewood does affect the bass response and is one of the biggest differentiating factors between the two. The sound quality of both is quite impressive nonetheless! Thanks for the nice comment. Peace. -Dave B

[@josemiletrodriguezborbon4139]

Great video! You go above and beyond the comparison of the instruments. If fact, you address the important issue of how to choose and differentiate classical guitars. Both instruments sound great. For beginners, I will say the best deal is to buy the basico. There are tons of opportunities to update the instrument. Keep posting.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thank you so much, José! I really appreciate your kind comment. And I agree, I think the Basico is a great beginner instrument. Best wishes! -Dave B

[@martoneill]

Great review- thanks Dave.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thanks, Martin! -Dave

[@tosain]

Great review & playing, Dave! Cheers!

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thank you! -Dave B

[@colinjonalynpartridge8432]

Absolutely awesome, Thank you!

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

You're most welcome, Colin! -Dave

[@henrypagan6657]

Thanks for the video

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

You're most welcome and I hope it was helpful! -Dave B

[@geofffarrell8105]

Wow. Great video.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video

[@robertfantazo4751]

Hi Dave

[@darrena.marcus8534]

Hi would you say the básico is more for Flamenco due to the low action?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Great question, Darren. It still has all of the hallmarks of a classical body, so it's definitely built for a classical approach. With that said, there's no reason you couldn't play flamenco on it. But it's not designed for that specifically. Action is variable and can always be adjusted by your luthier. Thanks for the comment. -Dave B

[@darrena.marcus8534]

Hi have you ever tried a Cordoba c3m? How does it compare to an Altamira básico?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Darren, I have! However, I have only played it in a store, which is very limiting experience. But I can say it's a great instrument, especially for its price. I hope to be able to dig in to some of Cordoba's instruments in more detail in the future. We'll see! Thanks for the comment. -Dave B

[@Socializedbyantisocials]

Can you stick suction cups on a matte finish?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Ricardo, yes you can! You may have varying results, however, with how well suction cups stick to different finishes. Either way, it should work just fine.

[@brandonwoodson2861]

Do they have truss rods?

[@DuraLexSedLex01]

Apparently not. The specs of the N500 (www.altamiraguitars.com/us-shop/p/n500-jn2x7), state “Carbon fibre rod reinforcement in neck to increase stability”, a mention that does not appear in the description of the N300 (www.altamiraguitars.com/us-shop/p/n300-by7mz).

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Brandon, no truss rods in these instruments, no. They do use carbon fiber reinforcement in some of their later, more intermediate models and some of their other instruments (esp. gypsy jazz guitars) do have truss rods, but not these two. Both guitars were setup really well with good relief, however -- just the Basico was a bit low for my particular right-hand attack and taste. :) -Dave

[@robertfantazo4751]

Basico

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

A beautiful instrument at such a low cost. Thanks, Robert. -Dave B