Luthier Alto Guitar, primera modelo (1A) is our all solid wood Spain hand-made alto cut-away guitar. Incl a hard-case
We selectively picked only seasoned solid Indian Rosewood as the best tone wood and combine it with solid cedar top. With the quarter sawn scallop bracings and carefully position those bracing to ensure the alto guitar's soundboard (top) resonate well with the designated pitches of Alto guitar. This is not an ordinary prime classic guitar and it designed for B pitch on 1st string or 7 semi-notes higher than ordinary prime guitars. As such, the scalloped bracings positioning & length are adapted to response those special frequency pitches.
Physically, the Alto Guitars may looks like a half-size guitars but the Nut to Saddle length is set at 535 mm, so it is not the same with half-size prime guitar nor the Requinto which have 545 mm length. Overall playability of this model is superb due to precise fretting, polished ebony fretboard and correctly low action in general. We always use cow bone nut and saddle for this standard.
Regarding the strings, a good alto guitar with wrong strings will not produce the ringing alto tones, we take care seriously this aspect too. We recommend to use Hannabach 836 ALTO strings set made-in Germany. Hannabach' founder, Mr. Werner Hannabach knew excatly what it takes to make the correct strings to response Alto pitches, so after much of research, he came up with those special diameter & materials to ensure Alto guitarist will not feel overly tight tension and produce vibrant & lively tones especially with the trebles. It is also wrong to assume that Requinto strings can be used for Alto guitars as Requinto's pitches are 6 semi notes above the prime guitar.
Overall assessment, we position this primera model as your Alto concert guitars for performing instruments.