Anyone familiar with Alvarez guitars

[BASSMAN]

My guitar salesdude is selling a lot of alvarez guitars. I played a couple and they sound better than what I have. Problem is I am such a newb, I am not sure what sounds better and what I like better. I am in no rush to decide, i still got to get the scratch together. Anyone have any experience with them?

[Harleyboy]

Hi Bassman,
How's the no smoking section doing? You are sticking with it I hope, those daughters of yours are going to want you around for a long time. (Cheap babysitters are hard to come by, at least that's the story I get from my daughter)

My first guitar was a real cheap Alvarez, and I have still have it. I love the thing for around the campfire & on the front porch type of stuff. The more I learn about guitars, the more I appreciate the tone this thing has. My Talkamine should have the bass notes that the Alvarez takes for granted.

The shop I visit most frequently stocks Alvarez and I've played some top end stuff in the thousand dollar range. They play nice & sound wonderful. I sure wouldn't be afraid to buy one. I've never seen an Alverez small body, but sure would have tried one before I bought my Tak if one had been available.

[Slipstream]

I have an Alvarez RD10. Fine guitar. It's the oldest one I've got, haven't played it in a long time. It's got a one piece spruce top and the rest of it is rosewood. I have no complaints with it, I would recommend getting one. There's a pic of me playing it in my profile.

[BASSMAN]

Thanks for the info. I am still commited to quit, However I would be a liar if I didnt confess that I have fallin off the wagon. I broke into the third day, I have just smoked a few and I know that I cannot do that if I really want to quit. I am on another quit though, 16 hours since my last one. Damn this sucks. I wish I had never started.

[guitaraholic680]

I have never had to quit smokeing, cause i never started. But just play ur guitar till it hurts. Play and play and play. IT'll keep ur mind off of it. As for the alvarez, i've played one. I liked the sound a lot. Very nice guitar. I'd need to play it a lil more to give a more educated opinion.

[Harleyboy]

Hey Man, quittin' ain't easy so don't beat yourself up too bad if you fall off the wagon a time or two. I remember one time when I started crying like a little girl, couldn't quit crying, I was 5 days into it & it was bad. Embarassing as hell, busted down at work and probably 5 or 6 people saw me blubbering like an idiot. I would have quit the job, but I own the damn company, so I couldn't. I think that episode is what made me stick to this "quit". I don't want anything to "own" me like that ever again.

Keep trying, it's damn sure worth it. After awhile, you will understand that you never really needed them, and the feeling of "Freedom" is awesome. Besides which, I really do spend all that money I save on guitars, Harley chrome & such foolishness. It'a great!

[Vcubed]

I bought my Alvarez for 400 bucks in 1981. Great tone, but at the time I didn't know anything, and this guitar buzzes on a couple frets and has sharp fret ends. So -- I say go ahead but check one carefully before you buy.

[nighthawk]

I have two acoustics, one newer, one from the 70's. They are pretty nice, and I like them better than my Takamines or my ovation. I do have a cheap Indiana 6-string also, that has a really good sound and is fast.

[dickiebong]

I've got an Alvarez Kazu Yari and I love it man the neck is slick as snot and she sings like no other acoustic I've heard. It's pretty as hell too black on black with a rosewood fretboard. No buzzes just pure tone!