G&G Guitars is a venture led by two musicians who love guitars. Buzz Gravelle, a leading fretless guitarist and advocate of the instrument, and Mak Grgic, an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist, have created G&G Guitars, an official reseller of Altamira fretless classical guitars, to make it easier to purchase a quality fretless guitar. Browse around, check out the guitars, photos and videos, and purchase or pre-order your Altamira guitar today or contact us with any questions you may have.
guitars pictured: Altamira N600+ fretless guitar and Altamira double-top classical guitar.
Buzz Gravelle
When I first started playing fretless classical guitar about 16 years ago it was difficult to acquire an instrument. There were a few used ones to be found online but, to my surprise, no major guitar manufacturer was actively producing a fretless model classical guitar. I ended up converting a standard classical guitar into a fretless guitar, an option that enterprising guitarists still do, and one that works great if done well. However, I have seen and heard more than enough examples of poorly converted guitars to realize that success is not 100% guaranteed. I also found that there are a select number of luthiers around the world that will custom build a high-level concert grade fretless classical guitar. While I do not want to discourage anyone from pursuing this option, as these are beautiful instruments, most guitarists who are curious about fretless guitar do not pursue this option, as it can be prohibitively expensive. I discovered a there is a desire form curious guitarists for quality and affordably priced fretless guitars from an established and reputable guitar manufacturer.
Altamira Guitars is such a company. They have partnered with Mak Grgic and I, through G&G Guitars, to build and make available fretless versions of select models of their guitars based on my personal recommendations. I am proud to play Altamira fretless guitars and am proud that G&G Guitars are official and exclusive resellers of Altamira fretless guitars.
The Basico+ model is our most affordable model. Great sounding with a solid cedar soundboard and with the same playability as the more expensive models this is a popular choice for beginners.
The N200+ model features a solid Canadian cedar top, ebony fingerboard, and a Fishman Clasico III piezo pickup and onboard preamp. I wish I had this model when I was starting out. A solid choice of a fretless guitar.
The N300+ Flamenco model is our only model with a solid spruce soundboard. It’s slightly more narrow body helps give this guitar a bit more punch than the other models.
The N400+ model features upgrades that gives the guitar more volume and richness. It has a solid Canadian cedar top and solid African mahogany back and sides and an ebony fingerboard. It, too, has a Fishman Clasico III piezo pickup.
The N600+ is the top model we offer and is the model I personally play. It features a solid Canadian cedar top, solid Indian rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard, and a Fishman Clasica blend piezo and internal mic system.
Mak Grgic
It was about 8 years ago when I was approached by an LA-based chamber music organization called Da Camera Society to craft a program of contemporary music for cello and guitar. At that time I was exploring music by NYC composer Toby Twining, and he had a piece I really wanted to play. However, the composition required an acoustic fretless guitar. At that time I didn't really know of such an instrument, so after asking around I was directed to Buzz Gravelle. He had been the 'fretless-guitar guy' in Los Angeles for years. I borrowed an inexpensive guitar from him, played the performance and after seeing me play, Buzz offered to sell the guitar to me at a friendly price. I gladly accepted, and we went our separate ways, but remained in close contact.
Over the years my career as a solo performing and touring classical guitarist has developed significantly. During the pause in performing due to the Covid pandemic, Buzz and I started hanging out and 'jamming' together. We were both eager to explore the possibilities of a fretted and fretless guitar duo. For the past 5 years I have enjoyed a very active collaboration with Altamira Guitar company based in Guangzhou, China. Since the initial meeting with the company’s head and master luthier Hanson Yao at the NAMM show in Anaheim in 2015, I have been consistently impressed by their attention to detail, quality control and, most of all, eagerness to explore and adapt to the musical trends.
We are incredibly excited to be able to work with our friends at Altamira Guitars to offer a line of fretless classical guitars just for you! Take a moment, look around the website, and let us know if you have any questions. We will be happy to get in touch.
Altamira is a leading brand of handcrafted traditional guitars, specializing in classical nylon string, historical replica, and gypsy jazz guitars.
Altamira guitars are made with the highest quality and fully sustainable aged woods sourced from Europe and the Americas – Spruce from Germany, Cedar from Spain and Canada, Rosewood from India, Cocobolo from Central America and Maple from Canada.
Altamira guitars are built in their own small factory in Guangzhou, China according to traditional Spanish construction methods.
Altamira guitars are played by artists around the world.
