Alvarez - new Laureate Series
 

Alvarez has announced their exclusive new Laureate series with Sweetwater. One notable feature: a more traditionally designed bridge. So for folks who have liked the tone but could never stomach the bridge, now you have an opportunity to see if one of these guitars floats your boat. They have a video posted on their YouTube channel.
Best,
Jayne

Interesting. After watching the video on the Sweetwater website they talk about it having ultra premium tonewoods and almost a benchmade approach for less than $1500. If it sounds good at all it should be a big seller.

Alvarez Laureate Series
 

The all new Alverez Laureate series is now available at Sweetwater. They have a decidedly Martin look with a new more traditional bridge. All solid tone woods Spruce / Rosewood with ebony fretboard and bridge. Dread, OM and Parlor sizes. Two finishes, Daybreak, a mild, subtle burst that slightly darkens at the edges and natural.
Looks interesting, wonder if anyone has played them and their thoughts.
Pricing looks like $1400 for natural and $1450 for the burst.

Alvarez Laureate Series
 

I started the same thread earlier this morning so maybe the mods can merge them. It will be interesting to hear from folks who have a chance to play these guitars.

Best,
Jayne

We need an Indiana member or two to give them a try and report back.

OMG I want one! Which model?

Scalloped bracing, maple bridgeplate, look at the inlay color. Look at the finish, the rosette, the ebony, the spruce, the rosewood. They have outdone themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBDHcTm4kZc&loop=0

Price-wise, these seem to be in line with Yamaha FGX5 and FSX5 Red Label series. However, these have rosewood back and sides, classier finishes and potentially a better pickup system. I’m definitely looking forward to some actual playing reviews, too!

Sweetwater is shipping the OMs and dreads now, so they give the S/N and weight of the instruments shown.

I am surprised at how heavy these are. The dread is 5 pounds, the OM is 4 pounds 14 oz.

The LR Baggs system can't weigh more than maybe 6 ounces, right? So are these guitars overbuilt or what?

Rosewood weighs more than mahogany. It’s noticeable in my guitars. It’s a possible explanation.

Further looking at the Sweetwater site: a Martin OM-28 spruce over rosewood weighs 4 lbs 6 oz and the Alvarez OM spruce over rosewood with its LR Baggs kit weighs a full 8 ounces more, reported at 4 lbs 14 oz.

The LR Baggs HiFi has its pickups that glue to the bridgeplate, then wiring, a 9V battery, and the socket set that goes in the endpin hole when reamed out. So it could be as heavy as 8 oz, making the two guitars, the Alvarez and the Martin, equal in weight.

Also noticed there are a bunch of new Yairis listed on Sweetwater - the all honduran mahogany Parlor looks pretty sweet.

I think for that price point they should include a hard case, not a padded bag.

I noticed the Sweetwater Laureates were a bit heavy too. And FYI, I love the look of the Yairi direct coupled bridge, but could take or leave the Alvarez bi-level single piece bridge made to approximate the look. I am interested in the Baggs HiFi pickup - I don't want a barn door and have had issues with the K&K mini (very thumpy low end). A battery door at the end pin would be nice. I'll keep my powder dry for now in hopes of different wood combinations - preferably cedar or redwood over rosewood (or - I'm dreaming - koa).

Redwood top Yairi looks interesting!

Alvarez Laureate Series
 

Then they would have to put the price up!? The price is so low for this apparent quality just buy a hardcase and keep/sell the bag. They are trying to deliver the guitar for the best price. There are loads of guitars in this price range that come with a padded bag. A Martin/Taylor with these specs would be at least triple the price. Alvarez already have an excellent reputation and they need to make so some profit!