Alvarez (Non Yairi) Japan models

[Honkytonk65]

Can someone answer an Alvarez question for me. What year did Alvarez stop building Japan made guitars. I own a 75’ 5024 and 82’ 5041 and a 84’ 5021. Curious to know when the Japan era ended for the Non Yairi Alvarez models. Thanks. Happy picking folks!

[kizz]

https://blog.andertons.co.uk/industr...souri-to-japan

[edcmat-l1]

Early to mid 80s best I can tell. Your soundhole labels should tell you country of manufacture.

[Railroad Bum]

You can also contact Alvarez/St. Louis Music and pose the question to them. They have people there with very good records and knowledge. There used to be a guy named Tom Kruska who worked there, and he was extremely knowledgeable. I am not sure if he's still there. But you can email to [email protected] or call 1-800-727-4512. They are super helpful.

[tinnitus]

I recently swung by Guitarget for strings, took a quick look in the acoustic room and loved a used Alvarez MDA70CE - for 5 minutes. I was running late and had to leave but that sweet-sounding, nice-playing guitar stuck in my head. In fact, a few weeks hence it's still bouncing around in there.

So given this about well-known brands...
Martin - Sigma
Gibson - Epiphone
Fender - Squire
Ovation - Applause
Godin - Seagull and others
etc., etc.

I'm not a brand-snob and I gig happily with anything that handles and sounds great. But I'm still curious. My first impressions aside, what's the general consensus, quality-wise, regarding this non-Yairi model I liked so much?

[Honkytonk65]

Originally Posted by kizz

https://blog.andertons.co.uk/industr...souri-to-japan

Thanks!
I have watched this before but I will do so again!

[Honkytonk65]

Originally Posted by edcmat-l1

Early to mid 80s best I can tell. Your soundhole labels should tell you country of manufacture.

Aside from my Hand made (Japan) 79’ K.Yairi YW-500P which I purchased in Japan,
All of my Alvarez guitars have been from 70’s and early to mid 80’s all Japan. What motivated my post was the non Japan built guitars I keep seeing. Curious as to when that transition began.But yes the label inside will show where it’s built,all of mine are Japan. I will reach out to St. Louis music. Thanks for the info!

[Honkytonk65]

Originally Posted by tinnitus

I recently swung by Guitarget for strings, took a quick look in the acoustic room and loved a used Alvarez MDA70CE - for 5 minutes. I was running late and had to leave but that sweet-sounding, nice-playing guitar stuck in my head. In fact, a few weeks hence it's still bouncing around in there.

So given this about well-known brands...
Martin - Sigma
Gibson - Epiphone
Fender - Squire
Ovation - Applause
Godin - Seagull and others
etc., etc.

I'm not a brand-snob and I gig happily with anything that handles and sounds great. But I'm still curious. My first impressions aside, what's the general consensus, quality-wise, regarding this non-Yairi model I liked so much?

Tinnitus,
Yeah, Even the newer Alvarez guitar are great. They do punch in well above the Priceline of competitors for sure. I played one similar to yours (in photo) at a
coffee shop and it was very nice tonally. I’m not a brand snob either but for Alvarez I prefer the Japan made years due to the 70’s being my introduction to Alvarez as a whole. If you like that Alvie cutaway and you can afford it. You should go get it! Happy picking!

[gog]

I had a 1974 Alvarez 5022 (Japan) back in...1974. It was a wonderful, big-sound guitar and I loved playing it for about 15 years. Then work and life took me away from guitar and I passed my 5022 along to my son (who continues to play it as one of his guitars).

Then I picked up playing again about two years ago. My first guitar purchase, then, was a 1978 Alvarez 5022 (also Japan based on what St. Louis Music could tell me) and it has the same great (IMHO) sound as my '74 with maybe a bit of aged richness.

Great guitars.

[Honkytonk65]

Love those 5022’s
Nice to hear you are back to pickin’guitar!