Alvarez 5022

Vintage 6 string acoustic

I bought this guitar in the late 70s or early 80s can't remember for sure, I paid $200 or $250 (probably $400 to $600 in todays dollars). I recently decided I wanted to buy a new guitar cutaway style so I can get down the neck. Well I have played Martins, Taylors, Gibsons and none of these high dollar brands even come close the tone and full sound I get from my Alvarez. Mine is made in Japan. I remember going to the store thinking I would buy a Yamaha. The salesman said the Alvarez was better and got me to try it, god bless that salesman. It's the best money I ever spent. Maybe it sounds so good because it has aged. Guitars sound better with age if they are played regularly. Anyway mine has always stayed in tune and has perfect action. If you can find one of these used take a close look. If its as good as mine you can compare it to a $2000 Martin.

Mine is perfect action, perfect fit and finish. I can't find a new guitar with as good action for less than $1400.

A+ almost 30 years old and still in showroom condition.

no experience

Fantastic guitar if you can find one in good shape. In my shopping experience for new acoustic guitars. Forget Gibson over priced not much tone for the money, Taylor and Martin are very good. But look at the Alvarez Yari guitars made in Japan, thats what I have settled on. Not the cheaper Alvarez made in China. Although I played a $300 Alvarez made in china at a guitar trade show and it was a very good guitar for the money.

Dreadnought body, natural gloss polyurethane, evenly applied except for one area with a run and tiny bubbles in the finish. Plywood top (spruce), back and sides (mahogany), solid mahogany neck with a rosewood overlay on the peghead. Don't know if the fingerboard is ebony or rosewood, but it does have four-pointed diamond "throwing star" inlays on the 5th & 9th frets (single large inlay), 7th and 12th frets have two small diamonds, the 15th and 17th frets have a single small diamond. 20 frets. No electronics. Very nice sound hole rosette and tortise pick guard. I bought this guitar brand-new in 1983 for $250. The SLM sticker says it was adjusted in Oct 82. SN 63603, made in Japan. I had a professional repair shop install a bone nut and saddle in 2006, and I installed new 16:1 Gotoh tuners. Both mods really improved the guitar. The old tuners went on my $69 Lauren camp guitar.

It has a full sound, I liked it even before the bone nut and saddle were installed. I try to play all types of music from kids church songs to classic rock, fingerpicking, blues, flatpicking, strumming. The guitar sounds better than I can play it! It is no match for a Taylor GS I recently played however.

I had the action adjusted not long after I bought it. It has one flaw in the finish, and the fretwire ends have required some attention lately. This maybe due to the natural movement of the fingerboard wood. The tuners were just run-of-the-mill inexpensive tuners that did ok, but I really like the new Gotoh tuners I installed in 2006.

Polyurethane finishes are very tough, no problems with this one. it only has one strap button, I am going to install one on the neck. This is a solid and dependable guitar that I use frequently on Sundays for kids church. That's the closest I get to gigging.

Never had to get it repaired, never had to contact the company.

I've been playing off and on since the mid-70s, and only since 2004 have practiced almost daily to broaden my skills. I wished I had known about plywood tops vs. solid wood when I bought it. I am considering installing some type of piezo pick-up in it. I like Alvarez guitars, and recently purchased a PD80SC with the 600T electronics that is awesome. My wife just purchased a RF20SC with the 200T electronics. I really like the 5022, it plays great and I'm always looking in pawn shops for another one.

I bought this 5022 in the late 80's and have never looked back. the action is sweet and low, making it a great acoutsic lead guitar. The mahogany neck has stayed straight as an arrow, and even with some fret wear, still plays beautifully. Solid spruce top has darkened a little over time, but has "opened up" and developed a clear, crisp sustaining tone in combination with the solid rosewood sides and book-matched back. It has a nice hounds-tooth pattern inlay on the back and around the soundhole. The tuners (don't know the make) have always been rock-solid and held a tune until I REALLY worked it, or if sitting, for a month at a time, no lie. I bought it without any electronics but installed an under-bridge piezo pickup that has made this a great gigging guitar as well as one that sounds great in the living room.

This is one of the best all-around, most versatile guitars I've ever played. It has a nice, clear high-end response with good but subtle sustain -- not quite as bright as a Taylor, but that works when it's time for rhythm strumming, which is when some brighter guitars get icky. But it's a lot brighter than almost every Martin dreadnought I've played -- it has that great melding of notes that make chords come together, but is bright enough that you can hear all ranges during rhythm playing. I've had it for 20 years now and the tone has really improved greatly as it has aged. It has therefore been perfectly suited to my bar-gigging style of some finger-picking, some strumming, some lead and sometimes both. I never really appreciated the subtleties of its tone until I had a Taylor, and although that is a very special instrument, I now appreciate this one that much more. I will always have this guitar -- they can bury me with it.

The guitar was set up great at the factory, but I have small hands and wanted to be able to play some lead on it, so I had the action lowered, just slightly. Plays like a dream. It has a beautifully bookmatched solid rosewood back with hounds-tooth inlay. No finish flaws. The white binding has yellowed a bit over time in some places, but then so have I. Age does things.

Plays great live, amplifies well and has great amped tone. the hardware has lasted me 20 years and I would be confident taking this guitar anywhere without a backup. It has been down a great many miles of roads and is still bangin'.

I have never regretted getting this guitar. To this day it remains one of my "great finds." I've had two Taylors and have other solid-body electrics, but this is the one I always come back to. My favorite feature, appearance-wise, is the bookmatched rosewood back and the hound's-tooth inlay, but this guitar just feels right in my hands and sounds beautiful not matter how I touch it.

Dreadnought, Mahogany neck,Rosewood frets pearl dots, Rosewood back and sides. Made in Korea in the 70's. Tortoise pick guard changed to black. Fishman bridge pickup. It sits in a guitar stand and gets better as time goes on.

The sound is GOOD, not great or bright. I also own an Alvarez PD-100 that records and sounds much brighter, however, the 5022 is much easier to play. Both are adjusted to .012 DR strings and the 5022 seems several thousands closer to the neck. I would say a real good sound, not meant for the best studio recording, but good for playing and learning. Because of the low action throughout the neck the .012 strings play like .010 would on most acoustics. Not as slinky but you can play lead all the way up the neck easily. The PD-100 will cut your fingers high on the neck with .012's. String size used for recording.

I purchased the guitar used in the early 80's. I payed around $450.00. The guitar is in great condition and holds a tune for months. I see no flaws in the guitar.

This guitar would work fine for any Gig. As far as durability, mine is 30 years old and in much better condition today than when I bought it. It keeps getting better. I have played it for 22 years and it has never been in a guitar case, except for some occasional humidifying.

Nerer needed.

Honestly, this guitar, having aged 30 years, if it was stolen it would not be possible to replace it. There isn't a new guitar in a shop today that plays like it. I assume that the age of a guitar really matters. I would say it plays 50% better today than 20 years ago. I have researched this model, looked at similar Alvarez guitars of this model and never seen one available that looked like it. The ones made in Japan look toy. This guitar was manufactured as a professional model, made similar to the Martin D-29. I would not take $2000.00 for the guitar today. I have played guitars that sounded better and were made better, playing all the guitars in shops, none play as easy as this aged Alvarez 5022. I have been playing 36 years. My opinion is for the price paid and the guitar life it gave me there wasn't a better value available. Today it can play with any top of the line guitars available, but the price of those guitars is up there. Sure, we all wish we had purchased a Martin 40 years ago. Go price those guitars.

Made in 1997 in Korea. Alvarez Professional Series guitar. Solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides. The usual features for a dreadnaught acoustic.

Perfect for classic rock, folk or the blues. Full and balanced tone. Great for chords or finger picking. Can make pretty much any sound you'd like to play!

Medium low action. Plays like a dream! Thin yet comfortable neck with a bound rosewood fingerboard. The chrome Alvarez tuners work fine so it stays in tune for days. It resembles a herringbone D 28 but the tone is less boomy.

You can play it live or at home because it projects well in just about any situation. Rock solid and dependable. Looks and feels like it will last longer than me. I would use it live without a back up.

I bought it used so there's no warranty. Contact St. Louis Music and they'll answer your questions the next day!

I've been playing guitar for about 2 years and this was my first acoustic. It it were lost or stolen I would get another one, for sure. Love the way it sounds and love the way it looks! I also had an Alvarez Yairi DY 45 at one time, but I found it less balanced and more bass heavy in tone, so I sold the Yairi and kept the 5022. Great value for your money!

This guitar was made in Japan somewhere around 1982-3, (I am guessing from the sticker inside that says it was adjusted at St. Louis Music Supply 5/83 by TJK). I rated this Alvarez a 10 here because it has everything it needs to get the job done!

It works great with my style which ranges from gospel, country, contemporary Christian to whatever else may catch my ear. It carry's a big sound and hold the tones well.

I bought this guitar at a garage sale in 92 or so and it played well from the start. Appearantly it has been set up though.

I have had this guitar for over 10 years, twice. I sold it once when I bought another alvarez(Yari) and then bought it back a year later for $50.00 more than I sold it.... I wanted it back bad! It has withstood live performance, campfires and lots and lots of play and still looks and plays great. I can rely on this instrument every time I pull it out of its case.

Never had to deal with anyone about any problems.

I have been playing for more than 20 years. I own an Alvarez Yari, a Simon & Patrick sp6 cedar and this alvarez. If this guitar had electonics I would use it for every gig, but the Simon & Patrick is doing a pretty good job. This guitar is simple and nearly perfect. It has big sound and overall matches or outperfoms every other instrument I have played. A buddy of mine just picked up a Taylor Maranatha guitar, which I have wanted to get for a while now, and after playing it I liked the old alvarez even more. At this time I am no longer looking for another, because this one is hard to beat. I did loose this guitar once and bought it back again.

I have no idea how old it is. I bought used from a friend 17 years ago, and he had it quite a while. Made in Japan with a laminated top. No pick ups or any other electronic devises, Just a straight up acoustic dreadnaught. No bells and whistles, just a guitar and case.

I have been playing, mostly old rock, folk and country for about 25 years. Sounds great with new strings. I've found the Martin Ultralights fit me and the guitar best. Nice clean ring. Hard to bend the G string in the 10th fret though, which is essential for Wonderful Tonight.

I got it used so I have no clue as to the factory set up, but when I got it I had no complaints.

When we get together to jam at the lake we can drink pretty heavily. Obviously that can lead to the occassional bumps and bruises. Still the only problems have been a loose nut, fixed with a little glue and a busted ear on the D string machine head. One slight gouge in the finish on the back that just added character.

Found this web site looking for the new machine head. It's pretty old so I may be ouit of luck finding a match. The factory web site wasn't much help, especially since I'm in Korea.

I also have a Yamaha and a Les Paul, 3rd one. I've had numerous others from Gibson and Yamaha, but for my money, this is definitely my favorite. If lost or stolen, I'd love another one but doubt I could find a match. Honestly, I bought it because the price from a friend was right. 17 years later I'm damnned glad I did. It's not the best guitar you'll ever buy, but if you want something to play without fear of hurting, this is the one.

I don't know how old the guitar is, but it's in excellent shape and has certainly seasoned and been played alot. It has 20 frets. I bought it 2 years ago for $200. It's a solid top and mahogany neck dreadnought with no pickups at all, though I'm looking into buying some. perhaps someone out there knows of a good setup for this guitar? (steve@isyssystems.net). The top is rather dark, and this isn't the most beautiful guitar in the world, but I've yet to hear its equal for less than $1400.

I'm a new player (3 years) and I play softer rock, folk, simple blues progressions, and a couple of different picking styles. The sound is simply wonderful. My old guitar teacher who played all over the world with lots of guys, and personally owns dozens of guitars would say at EVERY lesson, "Damn that guitar sounds good." It's truly amazing with fresh strings (Elixers usually but I'm trying some Martins now) and tends to be really dull if I let the strings get too old. The bass is most impressive about this guitar and the mids and highs are smooth and never bright or harsh.

The action is fine, though I think I could use some help adjusting it at the bridge. The only problem I've ever had was a loose tuning knob which I simply took apart and tightened. I have seen tuning knobs on other guitars that were better and offered more control though.

This thing is a tank. I can't imagine it coming apart in any way with the hardest of play. I baby it but I've banged it around a couple of times on accident, and even the finish is bulletproof.

20 fret Dreadnaught, Solid spruce top. Mahogany back and sides, Made in Korea Basic mid priced guitar, bought used about 1988 or so. Well equipped for the price. A fairly simple, playable guitar. Hardware is cheap, but still decent for a mid priced guitar. I have upgraded to bone nut and saddle. Original tuners still work very well. (Suprising, as I use this a lot.)

Tight, slightly mellow sound. I do both flatpicking, and strumming, with some fingerpicking mixed in. I play Rock, Jazz, blues, ballads, and some country and bluegrass on it. Lots of midrange, and decent bass, but not boomy. A little dark sounding, but not too bad, overall. With new strings, it brightens up quite well. Very well balanced tone. There are no notes, or strings that really stick out or fall short. I can make runs across all six strings, and I don't have to make a lot of adjustments as I play it to keep the tone even. Less volume than a Martin D-28, but a better recorded sound. Sound has opened up, and gotten better with age.

It works best on Folk rock, Jazz, Ballads, and light rock and country tunes. It doesn't have enough punch for bluegrass, and could use a bit more for blues too. A great guitar for backing vocalists, and playing weddings and the like. Nice control of dynamics, and very responsive. Perfectly suited to the type of playing I use it for.

Pretty nice fit and finish, given its price range. Typical middle class shortcomings. Slightly flawed woods, a couple of minor finish flaws, some slightly off kilter decoration. Overall, a good bit better than most other guitars in its price range at the time though. I gave it an eight, because it wasn't meant to compete with Gibsons, and Martins.

Durable. I have been planning to replace the tuners for about ten years now, but they have never given me reason to do so. Thye still work well, and I have gone through a lot of sets fo strings on this baby. I have started to wear the finish on the upper bout, where my arm rests on the guitsar, and there is a bit of wear on the back of the neck ,and the fretboard. The top is still straight, and the neck has only needed very slight seasonal adjustment, after I got the action to my likeing. The guitar is very stable. It has been played year round, in all weather, doing indoor, and outdoor gigs. It has been played in parades in January, and played the National Anthem at a dirt track in 105 degree heat. All things considered, it is as stable as any instrument I have owned. The strap button is fine, but I replaced the nut and saddle with bone ones as soon as I got it.

After I watched a beer truck back over my case once, I never play a gig without a backup. That said, I have never needed the backup, except when I broke a string, or I want to play alternate tuning, without retuning between songs. I can depend on it.

If I never need the customer support, I guess it doesn't matter how good or bad it is!

I have been playing 25 years. I have owned Martins, Yamaha, Ovation, and Guild acoustics, along with Aspen, and others. This is the only acoustic I've kept more than 5 years.

If it were stolen, I would try to find another one like it.
It is not as fancy, pretty, or bright as some of my other guitars, but it has a strong, even tone, and is always playable. It's the workhorse of my arsenal. What is really impressive, is that I haven't found a replacement for it yet, and it was a mid priced guitar to begin with. The more I play it, the better I like it.

S/N 3085, manufactured in Late 76 or early 77. Asian-made, I think this one was either Korean or Japanese-made. Bought in the spring of 1977, purchased new for $185. 20 frets, 14 clear. Dreadnought. Solid spruce top, Solid Mahogany back , sides and neck. Gloss finish. Tortoise shell pickguard. Came with silver tuners (Mfg. unknown), fairly good, but (as we speak) presently upgrading to Gotohs. Plastic Nut/Saddle (presently upgrading to bone). Adjustable bridge. I rated this a 7 (as this is what it was when purchased) but I expect the bone nut/saddle and Gotohs upgrade to bring it to the 8-9 range.

I'm a casual player, but not a hack. My style is medium/light strumming and some fingerstyle. I typically use medium Elixr's, but am giving 80/20 John Pearse strings a go presently. The guitar gives a nice sound, although could be a bit brighter (which I'm remedying with bone nut/saddle upgrade, as I speak). Volume a shade subdued compared to other dreads, but not critically so. Produces a tight, mellow sound (nice for rythym work) when strumming and if fingerpicked, is clear and bright enough for respectability.

Since the neck has an adjustable rod and the bridge is also adjustable, I can control the action to my desires. The fit and finish is actually quite good, except it was noted to me that the back side of the headstock is in a dull finish, where the rest of the guitar is gloss.
The only flaw was that the plastic saddle had to be sandpapered down even when bridged adjustment was all the way down. Still a minor thing, as I did sandpaper it down to correct this.

As a side note, I have played other Taks, Guilds, Deans, Ephiphones and other middle of the road boxes. The people who won those boxes usually want to seem mine, and after they play and give back the Alvarez, typically ask later on to play it again.

The Alvarez is in excellent shape, minus a ding I produced when I partied too much one night and dropped the guitar on a corner of the fireplace hearth. Good drugs, bad coordination, apparently - it produced a dime-sized indentation near the tail. Never had any problems with reliability. Rarely gig, but can't think of a reason why I'd need a back up for it, as it's been a a trusted friend for years.

Never dealt with any service people, and I don't see any need.

Been playing off and on for close to 30 years. The only other guitar I had before this was a lower-end Yamaha that was too thin in sound and rather heavy. When I wanted to upgrade, I spent alot of time looking and spent over 2 hours in the store playing before I settled on this Alvarez. It had the BEST combination of sound, feel, looks, sustain and price. I've jammed with people who owned Guilds, Penco's, Gibsons, Martins, etc. Many people who've played it have GENUINELY positive comments ranging from "Hey, this IS a nice guitar", to a Guild owner asking for a straight across trade.

I think enough of the guitar to install the upgrades I noted, as I plan on keeping it for life...unless one of my kids wants it. Then, I'll give them the guitar, on the condition they NEVER sell it. But if they do try to sell it, I want first dibbs on buying it back. Honest.

Now saying that, would I buy another one? - I have more income, so I can seriously consider a "boutique" guitar, but if my Alvarez was kidnapped, I'd pay up to $1750-$2000 to get it back. It was a nice guitar before the saddle/nut and tuner upgrades (pending), so I would expect it to become a more exceptional (and I mean that) value.