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