Alvarez

The Alvarez PD80SC is a beautifully crafted guitar, that has a solid mahogany back to it. When purchasing this guitar (if buying it new) you will love everything about it. It just feels right when you are holding it. This acoustic or electric guitar has a built in chromatic tuner as well and an adjustable eq and notch filter to control feedback. When they made this guitar they really had the player in mind in stead of just creating “another” typical guitar. They made sure this was going to be one that players of all genres would want to have in their collection. UTILIZATION It has a Dreadnought style of body with 12 string. The back and sides come in solid mahogany and I must say it looks amazing. Not to mention the Rosewood finger board and rosewood bridge. The regular color tone of the guitar is a natural finish. It seems to be like a classic looking guitar at first glance. SOUNDS Sounds are great, I was really happy with the way it sounded. We where able to get a great tone when using it and we used it for a few years. Just recently one of our members went to go back and purchase this same model (pd80sc) and no one had any in stock. So either they are discontinued or just sold out. OVERALL OPINION Overall, this guitar is worth every penny. The price of it was pretty decent to me wasn’t too much but I do wish it was cheaper when it first came out. I don’t recommend getting this if you are a new player though. If you are a new player I recommend just getting a cheap guitar to start on. But if you know what you are doing, there is no need to wait. Try to get your hands on one of these or the upgraded model.

I am 53 years old and coming back to learn how to play guitar. I tried to learn in college but the guitar that I tried to learn on was JUNK. It was just not any fun when I played.I spent so much time trying to get it tuned that by the time I got ready to practice I was already mad. One thing I really like about the RD8 is that is will stay in tune. I enjoy country, light rock, ballads and bluegrass music. I bought the RD8 from Metro Music in Dothan, Alabama. The RD8 cost $239.00 including the hardshell case that Alvarez includes.I also bought an electric tuner that works great. I know that I could have saved a few bucks online but I am from the old school that believes in supporting a local business. Believe me it makes a difference when you have a question or need some help. The main thing that I LOVE about this guitar is the tone. I shopped around and strummed several different name brands before I picked up the Alvarez. In Metro Music they had a display that had the RD8 and an American made competitor side by side. I wanted to buy the American made guitar but one E chord on the Alvarez and it was like "What is this??" I don't know or care how they get that sound but this puppy SINGS. I wish they would add a button under the neck for a strap. I understand that I can loop the strap around the upper part of the neck so it is no big deal. I also wish that the one strap button they do provide on the guitar was of higher quality. Jam up. I feel that this is a guitar that I will use for many years to come. Yes, it is an imported laminated guitar but pick it up and play it and your ears will not beleve that it is not a much more expensive piece. It is also a very pretty guitar and one that you can pull out anywhere and be proud. Don't think that the guitar you select to learn on does not make a difference. I look forward to playing now and can't wait to hear what I can do next. I would be willing to bet that sales of this unit are cutting into the other more expensive Alvarez guitars. I played several that Metro Music stocks and I swear I thought the RD8 sounded as good or better than most of the other "Name Brand" higher priced models. I realize that this is not a "prestige" guitar but hey, I am not a prestige player!! I am confindent that any limitations I face as I am learning will be player related. In short I have got a lot more guitar than the guitar has got player!! This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar at Crossroads Music in Delaware, Ohio for $350. Owning an Alvarez KOA #5040 already, I was looking for another KOA wood guitar that would have a built in pick-up. First off, the guitar looks great. Mine had a very,very minor stain error on the side and was labled "almost perfect" from the factory. Im pretty particular, but this flaw was something even I could live with. The sound is very nice, lots of warmth, yet gives a nice "changy" sound as well. You can get some good different sounds out of it with the built in System 600 pick-up. It also has a tuner built in. The neck is just right, and it plays easily. Really my only dislikes are the location of the output jack where you attach the guitar strap. I would rather it was on the lower side than in the middle. The bridge pegs dont seem to stay in place very well when you first change your strings, but after that they seem to be fine. The finish seems very nice, and the woodgrain pattern seems asthetically pleasing. It has binding going up the neck, on the body, and around the headstock. There are no marker dots on the fretboard, omly on the side of the neck. This is a full size cutaway body guitar and gives a very nice sound. It seems to be very well made. I think this is a great guitar for the money. In some ways I even like it better than my Alvarez FD60AMB. Then again, it will by nature sound different since the FD60 is MAPLE and a thinner body. Koa gives a nice sound, and that was a big reason why I chose this guitar. Its well worth the money,.. you wont be dissapointed at all. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bigham Music-Dalton Ga,499.00 Great sound-equal to my Martin-D18-Feel is great- Well the only thing wrong is Id like another one to keep at church but cant afford it right now Quality is great-braced just right and theres no dangling drops of glue on the inside- I have been playing for 40 years and had just about every brand on the market-this one has them all beat-and the price is good enough to where most anyone could have one This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I discovered this guitar while perusing my local Mars store. The instant I picked it up, I had to have it. The sound, size, playability and looks of this puppy are awesome. It was a bargain at a paltry $499. This guitar produces beautiful tones and plays as easy as any guitar I've ever owned. And the looks are absolutely killer! Mercy, Mr Percy! The only drawback is that this model doesn't come with a hardshell case, so I had to buy one. The PF90S is a beautifully crafted folk-sized guitar with a solid AAA Engelmann spruce top and a solid rosewood back - the sides are laminated rosewood. It also has Gold hardware, pearl inlaid rosette soundhole, and gorgeous binding. I recommend the PF90S to anyone. I LOVE this guitar! (o: This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The Alvarez RD 20 S is a dreadnought acoustic guitar. It's not an acoustic-electric so there aren't any pick ups here. This is basically a beginner's guitar, but it's a good one at that. I don't know where they are making these guitars, but I don't think it's the US. The guitar has a sitka spruce top in addition to it's dreadnought body and rosewood fingerboard. UTILIZATION The Alvarez RD 20 S is a pretty nice playing guitar. You can definitely tell that it's meant for beginners, but for those users just starting out it will certainly be adequate. For a more experienced player like myself, you can tell it's not a professional guitar, but you can still play it for sure. It's an okay sounding guitar, and what you hear is what you get in terms of sound. SOUNDS While it's not the best sounding guitar when placed in the overall spectrum, the Alvarez RD 20 S is still a solid sounding guitar. It isn't the fullest or most pristine sounding, but for a beginner it will show you what an acoustic guitar can do. I haven't recorded with it, but I'm sure it would sound fine, just nothing to spectacular. I won't be using it for recording or otherwise, but again for someone who is just starting out, it's going to sound fine. OVERALL OPINION For the price, the Alvarez RD 20 S is worth a look for guitarists who are either beginners or who haven't been playing very long and want an upgrade from their $100 guitar. This won't cost you too much more than a few hundred US dollars, but it's an exceptional beginner's guitar and is fine for use even if you're not a true beginner. It's good cheap guitar, but if you want something better look at Martin's mid level guitars, which at a few hundred more than this will give you a pro's instrument.