NGD Alvarez AP66 ESHB “parlor on a budget”

[lkjjr]

Working with strategies to keep playing as aging hands are “crimping my style” a bit. I have a Larrivee LV05e and a ‘72 Martin D35S that I love and they are wonderful guitars, but both are “long scale”. I play them often but for shorter stretches these days before fatigue starts to set in. 4 fret stretches are getting pretty “iffy” at times.



Easy remedy has been to use capos to effectively shorten the scale length on whichever guitar I might be playing at the moment. Then I got to thinking... what about a short scale guitar? I knew if I kept the cost moderately low I could probably justify a modest purchase with the boss. So with stimulus check in the bank, I went on the hunt for something in the $500 or less range.

What I finally landed on after copious research (much of it from comments by you folks here on AGF) and listening to demos (and playing the meager choices available locally) was an Alavarez AP66 ESHB 12 fret, slot head with a 24” scale length, solid hog top, laminated B&S. The nut width was supposed to be 1 ¾”, but apparently Alavarez changed to 1 11/16”. Disappointing, but not a deal breaker once I heard the tone it produced. Have had it about 3 weeks now and my impressions are…
• Clean and solid build quality
• Beautiful finish w/gloss top, satin back, sides, neck
• Bone nut and saddle (fully compensated)
• “serviceable” tuners
• smooth, well trimmed/dressed frets
• LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (decent, but not a key factor)

Out of the box it had surprisingly great tone for a smaller body, and a really nice tone on the bass stings. But the action definitely required a setup. A truss rod tweak, a slight saddle shave and it was pretty much good to go. Nice intonation up the neck for its price range. It came with D'Addario EXP16, but during the setup I put on Newtone Heritage (round core) 11-47, that play nice and soft on the 24” scale. Since it’s not the “treasure” that my Larrivee and Martin are it sets out on a guitar stand most of the time and I walk by and pick it up on a whim if I want. Much greater comfort when playing. Really happy to have a more “convenient” guitar to noodle around with and work out on. But when I need to hear “that special sound” still turn to my Larrivee or Martin.

Cheers
LK

[EllenGtrGrl]

Very cool! I've been on the lookout for parlor guitar that won't break the bank (in the past few months I bought an Eastman OM, an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45, and ordered an Eastman archtop, so I don't want to spend a ton of money), and sounds OK for flat picking (from the videos I've seem of the Alvarez AP66 ESHB, it handles picking pretty well), and the AP66 ESHB (especially due to it being a 12-fretter) went on my radar recently. What's the neck thickness like (thin, medium, or chunky)? I'm asking because I fined thin necks uncomfortable for playing.

[lkjjr]

Ellen,

Don't have the manufacturer's specs, but...

It feels so similar to my LV05 and D35S that I don't notice any appreciable difference in depth or profile (moderate "C" shape).

Picking up my Tele Custom is a different matter entirely..
So I would definitely call it "meduim" and certainkly not "thin."

[BoneDigger]

These are great guitars! I have the 660 model which is the longer scale non slot head model. It's really surprising good! In fact, it's just about the perfect couch guitar! Congrats on a great new guitar!

[davidbeinct]

Great choice, although I might be biased as I’m staring across the room at one right now. Happy new guitar day!

[stormin1155]

My wife got me one of those for Christmas and I've probably played it more than all my other guitars combined since then. Really a great little guitar! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine!

[jpd]

Looking good....

[davenumber2]

I have the same model. Mine is from 2016. Great little guitar. I put some Grover Sta-tite tuners on and it was a nice improvement from the stock Wilkinsons , which were a little sloppy.

[EllenGtrGrl]

Originally Posted by lkjjr

Ellen,

Don't have the manufacturer's specs, but...

It feels so similar to my LV05 and D35S that I don't notice any appreciable difference in depth or profile (moderate "C" shape).

Picking up my Tele Custom is a different matter entirely..
So I would definitely call it "meduim" and certainkly not "thin."

Thanks for the info.

[lkjjr]

Dave,

Thanks for the info. Do you recall the model number of the Sta-tites? And are they a simple drop in replacement?

[Bluesra]

I have one of these guitars and I agree, they are fun to play and sound pretty good. I leave mine out in the living room and people comment on how nice it looks.

[davenumber2]

Originally Posted by lkjjr

Dave,

Thanks for the info. Do you recall the model number of the Sta-tites? And are they a simple drop in replacement?

The model number is H97N. The screw holes were just the tiniest bit off on mine but I made it work ok without having to redrill any holes.

[marty bradbury]

Very cool guitar! I have an AP70 and love it. Every time I think of trading out I pick up and play it.....nah, Enjoy your new guitar!

[lkjjr]

Marty, while on the lookout for a parlor I was very interested in an AP70 I saw on Reverb, but missed out on it and really regretted that. Would love to have had a chance to play one. I have always been curious about Alvarez guitars since they are often described as punching above their weight class. Now that I own one I'd have to agree...

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by davenumber2

I have the same model. Mine is from 2016. Great little guitar. I put some Grover Sta-tite tuners on and it was a nice improvement from the stock Wilkinsons , which were a little sloppy.

I swapped out the tuners as well for the Sta-tites. It was definitely an improvement.

Best,
Jayne