The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 08-20-2015, 12:18 PM
Matt82 Matt82 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Default Older Alvarez Guitars

I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about some of the older Alvarez models. Particularly the 5022. I recently found one at GC in fair/good condition, but I have no idea whether it's a solid top or lam(I'm sure it has to be lam b/s). Also it has the split diamond fret inlays, but I can't seem to find many others like it online, so I'm assuming it's just an aesthetic thing. It is MIJ, and has the inverted double A logo on the straight "Martin style" headstock. One thing I do know is that it is not the professional model that I've heard about, it has the brown paper label instead.
Nobody at GC had any idea about the specs of it so I figured someone on here might know. Any info is much appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-20-2015, 12:25 PM
stuco stuco is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 373
Default

Most of the old Alvarez and Yairi guitars are laminate back/sides and sometimes lam top.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-20-2015, 12:34 PM
Fire&Rain Fire&Rain is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Northern California
Posts: 800
Default

Sounds like the one you are looking at might be like this one:
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=395266

My research indicates it most likely has solid spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides.
__________________
"I've seen it raining fire in the sky..." -- John Denver (Rocky Mountain High)

Martin D-15M
Taylor 420 Maple
Alvarez MD80
Alvarez MD80/12
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-20-2015, 12:58 PM
jaybones jaybones is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Kelleys Island
Posts: 1,899
Default

First guitar was an '88 5212 Regent. Not the same model, but it was a laminate spruce with mahogany back and sides. Pretty basic student model, but had an adjustable saddle on the bridge.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-20-2015, 01:41 PM
Matt82 Matt82 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Default

It does look almost exactly like that model in the image. I was just curious about the split diamond inlays. It's got one on the 5th, two on the 7th, one on the 9th, and two on the twelfth. I don't imagine it makes it rare by any means, but just wondered if it might suggest what year it was made or maybe a particular model?
However all it says on the label is 5022, and a serial number
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-20-2015, 05:02 PM
sstaylor58 sstaylor58 is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 877
Default

I don't have the same model Alvarez, but a 1987 5083 thinline acoustic. I don't know if it is laminate top or solid, but I don't care, it sounds great, and has held up fantastic. If it is good shape and sounds good, you can't go wrong! I like my old Alvarez!
__________________
---------------------------------
Martin OM -15 Custom
Taylor 314ce
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany
Yamaha AC1M
Yamaha FSX800C
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-20-2015, 07:34 PM
UncleJoe UncleJoe is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Central Pa
Posts: 369
Default

I have a 5054 that was purchased new in 1981. Solid spruce top with Rosewood B&S. Don't know if it helps at all but it's all I got.



Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-20-2015, 07:57 PM
Matt82 Matt82 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Default

After searching the Internet, it seems info on Alvarez is pretty scarce!
How many models did they make? So far we have a 5022, a 5212, and a 5083...I think I've heard of a 5014 too. Does anybody know if the numbers meant anything, or did they just slap whatever number they could on them?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-20-2015, 08:30 PM
Oldguy64 Oldguy64 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kansas City metro
Posts: 4,667
Default

Many numbers.
Back in the day, they changed numbers if not the actual guitars pretty frequently.
If you Email them or send a PM thru the Facebook page...you will get an answer back pretty quickly.
Never have I waited more than a couple days.
__________________
A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics,
A house full of people that “get” me.

Alvarez 5013
Alvarez MD70CE
Alvarez PD85S
Alvarez AJ60SC
Alvarez ABT610e
Alvarez-Yairi GY1
Takamine P3DC
Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT
Godin Multiac Steel.
Journey Instruments OF660
Gibson G45
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-20-2015, 08:36 PM
Scootch Scootch is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Columbus, Oh!
Posts: 2,440
Default

I have a 5040 and used to have a 5018.
And I have an AP-70.

Alvarez's being affordable, never really got any steam going with collectors and therefore there's not much history on them model-wise. And they are a nice players guitar, but they're imported and la-di-da-di-da...

There's bits and pieces on the web, but no grand amalgam of data.

I am referring to the basic Alvarez's not the Yairi models.

I hope someone proves me wrong, I'd love to see it.
__________________

~Dave
~Music self-played is happiness self-made
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-20-2015, 08:58 PM
Markini Markini is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 263
Default

Well I have it stored away and thought it was a 5013 or 5088, but may be a 5083, need to get a magnifying glass, the label is faded, I know it was a 1976 model MIJ, I purchased the guitar in Feb 1977. It has a 3 piece back, but it is laminate, very good looking though, back and sides are laminated brazilion rosewood, very nice grain, top is spruce not a laminate. Has the Martin headstock, very easy guitar to play very low action, and has the adjustable saddle. The guitar overall is still in top notch condition. Also has an interesting history.

Last edited by Markini; 08-20-2015 at 08:59 PM. Reason: change model number
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-20-2015, 09:11 PM
Matt82 Matt82 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Default

Did Alvarez ever put out a catalog? I know I've seen an Ibanez catalog from the 60s once. If there were any Alvarez catalogs, they might answer some questions.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-22-2015, 07:25 AM
Oldguy64 Oldguy64 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kansas City metro
Posts: 4,667
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markini View Post
Well I have it stored away and thought it was a 5013 or 5088, but may be a 5083, need to get a magnifying glass, the label is faded, I know it was a 1976 model MIJ, I purchased the guitar in Feb 1977. It has a 3 piece back, but it is laminate, very good looking though, back and sides are laminated brazilion rosewood, very nice grain, top is spruce not a laminate. Has the Martin headstock, very easy guitar to play very low action, and has the adjustable saddle. The guitar overall is still in top notch condition. Also has an interesting history.
All 5013's are black to grey sunburst, with an ugly, seemingly mismatched pick guard.
They also do not have a three piece back. And were made from 1980-1982 or '83.

Alvarez put out a catalog every year. As I said, one year a guitar has one designation, the next year it would be a different designation.

Now it's fairly simple. The first letter is the Series, the second the body style,
The numbers are a little more complicated. 60 is a mahogany back and sides with a spruce top.
70 is Rosewood with spruce top, 66 is all mahogany. 65/75 means cedar top.

And that can vary as the Artist Jumbos, AJ60, AJ80 have maple b/s.

That is the main reason for sending an email or Facebook PM.
They have a guy who has access to all the info. It will take him a day or two for him to get back to you. But he will get back with the specs on any Alvarez or Yairi
__________________
A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics,
A house full of people that “get” me.

Alvarez 5013
Alvarez MD70CE
Alvarez PD85S
Alvarez AJ60SC
Alvarez ABT610e
Alvarez-Yairi GY1
Takamine P3DC
Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT
Godin Multiac Steel.
Journey Instruments OF660
Gibson G45
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-22-2015, 11:59 AM
DanPanther DanPanther is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Planet Wave
Posts: 3,964
Default

Here are 3 Alvarez Guitars I have with 4 digit Model numbers. The early Alvarez line used mainly 4 digits, later they went to alpha Numeric, and in my mind are slightly lesser quality.


5021, 12 string equivalent of the 5022 ( I think ) ?



5024, Alvarez Dove Gibson Copy. I replaced the Tune-O-Matic Bridge with a fixed insert I made. I purchased the LAST 6 saddle inserts Alvarez had in stock according to Tom Kruska. A very nice playing guitar. The original saddle, collapses in the middle, so if you have one, you may want to pull it out and straighten it, and add a support to the center portion.



Finally the 5043. It's also a Martin Copy, Can't recall the Martin model number.



Looking at all of my guitars, I realized I have about 10 Alvarez-Yairi models. I love each of them.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-22-2015, 12:07 PM
Markini Markini is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 263
Default

Thanks for the photos Dan, my 1976 model is identical to last photo a 5043. Any idea of the age on yours?

Last edited by Markini; 08-22-2015 at 12:07 PM. Reason: spelling
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=