| Alvarez is a premier acoustic guitar | | | | of styles, visit their website. |
| manufacturer that specializes in high | | | | There are also plenty of famous and |
| quality instruments. Alvarez started | | | | accomplished musicians who play Alvarez |
| building high quality acoustic guitars | | | | guitars. These include Ani DiFranco, |
| in 1965. As evidenced by the sound of | | | | Bret Michaels, Carlos Santana, Graham |
| their instruments, they are very | | | | Nash, Kipp Winger, Laura Clapp, and |
| passionate about what they do. They have | | | | David Crosby. For an extensive list, |
| a reputation for crafting guitars that | | | | please visit their website. |
| have exceptional tone and quality, and | | | | Here are some reviews of Alvarez |
| they do so by hand. Their shop is | | | | Acoustic Guitars (source Harmony |
| located in St. Louis, MO. | | | | Central): |
| The Alvarez guitar line as we know it | | | | About the Alvarez 5054 12 String |
| today started with a Japanese luthier | | | | Got started more than half a century |
| named Kazuo Yairi who worked in | | | | ago. I m what we now like to call a |
| partnership with an American company to | | | | multi-instrumentalist. Play in half a |
| design these guitars. Yairis family is | | | | dozen bands, jazz, blues, metal, punk, |
| known for creating high quality, hand | | | | Cajun and Irish. |
| made instruments. The companys current, | | | | This is a great guitar. The first time |
| skilled luthiers continue this | | | | you pick it up you immediately recognize |
| tradition. | | | | that it "has something". And it ain t |
| Alvarez does not use computers and other | | | | just me, I ve had some friends |
| high tech devices to help build their | | | | (including some well-known players) try |
| guitars. Computer assisted guitars have | | | | it out and give it a thumbs-up. |
| a very uniform sound across the board. | | | | I m not saying I would trade my Guild |
| The Alvarez guitars are unique from | | | | for it, but I ve not come across a |
| instrument to instrument. Building them | | | | comparable second choice. And |
| by hand gives each guitar their own | | | | considering that nowadays this is a sub |
| character. That is why it is important | | | | $400 guitar it s an outright bargain. |
| to find luthiers and other workers who | | | | About the Alvarez AC 60SC |
| are both skilled and passionate. | | | | I have been playing guitar for over 30 |
| They pride themselves on their wood | | | | years and have owned all types of |
| seasoning process. Done correctly, this | | | | guitars and gear. I was without a nylon |
| can be considered the key to the sound. | | | | stringed guitar for a while and |
| Wood types such as mahogany and rosewood | | | | developed a nylon jones. I began looking |
| are both air dried and kiln dried for | | | | for a classical guitar, with a cutaway |
| long periods of time- sometimes as much | | | | and built in electronics. I checked out |
| as fifteen years. This aging process | | | | guitars at 2 stores and chose this one |
| helps develop the tone and gives it a | | | | for it s acoustic sound. I did not even |
| rich quality. The guitars are then | | | | plug it in at the store. I liked the |
| shaped into their various styles. | | | | characteristics in her voice. I came |
| Alvarez has a complete line of high | | | | back the next day and traded my |
| quality guitars. Their acoustic guitar | | | | steel-string acoustic in on her. |
| styles include the Dreadnought series, | | | | As I said before, this guitar is like a |
| crafted in a shape and style similar to | | | | wonderful woman. One that should be |
| other Dreadnoughts, Alvarez classic | | | | treated well and caressed. Playing her |
| guitars of various styles and woods, and | | | | should be like making love. |
| Alvarez folk style guitars, including | | | | If guitar playing can be that much fun |
| some cutaway models. For a complete list | | | | everyone should take it up. |