ALVAREZ ALERT!!!-AG60CEAR vs AG70CEAR vs AG75

[JackB1]

Considering these 3 Alvarez grand auditorium models. Have tried some Alvarez guitars locally and was impressed with all of them but didn't care for the models they had in stock. Anyone try any of these three?

AG60CEAR
AG70CEAR
AG75CE

The 75 has a Cedar top, which is quite different from the spruce top of the others. The 70 has rosewood b/s while the 60 has hog b/s. I am leaning towards the 70CEAR. I am also intrigued with this beveled edge thing. All reports say it's nice and comfortable on the arm.

[lowrider]

I can't help you with those particular models but I have to say that Alvarez guitars give you a lot of guitar for your money.

[Realbluesman]

I agree Alvarez guitars are a good value. Where's the alert???

[Steadfastly]

You will be hard pressed to find a guitar of that class for that amount of money. If you like the Artist series, you should try the Masterworks series. They are excellent guitars.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

You will be hard pressed to find a guitar of that class for that amount of money. If you like the Artist series, you should try the Masterworks series. They are excellent guitars.

problem is no Masterworks are Spruce and Concert size. They all seem to be mahogany.

[personatech]

I'm in the process of looking for my first acoustic guitar, so I'm no expert by any means.

That being said, in my search, I've played two of the guitars you mentioned: the AG610CEAR (which is a GC-only variation of the AG60CEAR - same guitar but with shadowburst finish) and the AG75CE. Frankly, I quite liked both. I wasn't even considering Alvarez until I happened to pick up the AG610CEAR - very comfy with that armrest bevel and quite a lot of guitar for the money. The AG75CE was also very nice and I really liked the combo of cedar with rosewood.

The comfort of both of these is enhanced by the fact that they are both grand auditoriums - most of what I've been considering have been dreads. I've been a bass player for over a quarter century now so I like it when I can feel the thump in my chest. The grand auditoriums aren't far from that mark.

[Oldguy64]

The MGA70e is a real guitar.
It may have to be ordered.
But it exists.

The Artist series completely rocks.
I have an ADA1965 that I “rescued”
I’m into it for not quite $150.

But I have FIVE Alvarez guitars.
I’d stop buying the durn things if they sucked.

[JackB1]

Leaning towards the AG70CEAR.

It's weird....you almost never hear anything bad about Alvarez guitars, but they aren't recommended often either. Almost like it's a secret

[Blind Dog]

K. Yairi necks are amazing, and the S. Yairi has tone and volume that makes you wonder where it comes from.

I think Alvarez are K. Yairi (dude was all about the wood & tone) just branded Alvarez due to some export issue. And S. Yairi was a cousin, but there was no legal association. Their plants were in different cities. I've read where S. Yairi produced for Lowden.

I take the opportunity to try every Yairi, and Alvarez I come across. I've never been disappointed. Hit way above their price range imo.


.

[Realbluesman]

Every Alvarez thread I've seen always turns to Yairi... Apples/oranges. I guess they have an identity problem.

[L20A]

These guitars have laminated sides and back.
There are some people that feel that there will be no difference in the sound of a laminated guitar make from rosewood or mahogany.

I disagree totally with that myself.
I have had several laminated back and sides guitars over the years and I always prefer the sound of the guitars with rosewood.

I don't own any of the guitars that you listed but I have played some Drednaught Alvarez guitars with laminated sides and backs.
As expected, I liked the rosewood models best.

Import guitars in the near future will be moving to other woods and away from rosewood due to CITES regs.
If you like rosewood, get it while it's available.

[jonbee]

I haven't heard those models, but I'll add a little info and opinion.
Alvarez guitars are made in China in 3rd party factories. Not a slam on them, just the info.
Alvarez-Yairi is the high end of the Alvarez line, made in the famed K Yairi shop in Japan. Most models are layered solid tonewood (laminated, but not plywood).
As to the never ending argument about solid vs. laminate, there are many construction variations to both. I've tended to own solid wood instruments, and have had quite a few. That said, the 2 A-Y layered (laminated) rosewood dreads I've owned, DY-74 and DY-90, sound as good or better than any of the big name solid wood instruments I've owned, most of which had list prices from $2-4k.
The DY-90 in particular is the best sounding instrument I've ever had in my hands, including a couple dozen good quality "solid wood" guitars.
YMMV, of course, but it is a mistake to "buy by the label". Go and play as many Alvarez if you can to get an idea how the maker's work performs.

[Blind Dog]

Originally Posted by Realbluesman

Every Alvarez thread I've seen always turns to Yairi... Apples/oranges. I guess they have an identity problem.

K. Yairi is to Alvarez, as, Furch is to Stonebridge. The difference is one is for export.

S. Yairi might be apples/oranges -- he was K. Yairi's cousin and while there were imo similar sensibilities, there are documents published by K. Yairi stating there are no business/legal ties. Both are imo great value, and great guitars. And different companies.

[fazool]

Sorry I thought this was an Alvarez Alert !!!!

whew thought there was some emergency there

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by fazool

Sorry I thought this was an Alvarez Alert !!!!

whew thought there was some emergency there

lol

Maybe "alert" wasn't the best choice of words??