Product: Alvarez 5039
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
12/15/2006
at
01:24pm
by
highfield
Features
:
9
I have the Alvarez 5039 bought new in July 1975 for $300.00 and still own. It's a dreadnought with a clear gloss finish. It took a couple of years to mellow out and ever since has a wonderful rich full sound, plus the sustain is phenominal. Mine sold as an American "Bicentennial" edition of a limited 800 production. There's a plack on the back of the headstock listing XXX/800 which is the production number out of the total 800 made. Solid spruce top with outstanding narrow grain spruce, laminate rosewood back and appears to be solid rosewood sides. Rosewood fingerboard, with ornate headstock & fingerboard inlays on a mahogany neck. I have the action set low for flat picking and so will tend to buzz if played hard at the 12th fret. It has the adjustable bridge, which I'm no fan of. It did come with plastic bridge pins which I have replaced with ebony pins, plus I had a neck strap button installed on the heel; other than that it is original. It may not be a top of the line guitar but it's well up there in both looks and sound.
Sound
:
9
Sound is rich & full, a mellow sound. It has a full booming sound. I have other guitars that I play in situation where I want a brighter sound. It has exceptional sustain.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
Factory action was set a little on the high side. I have lowered the action at both the nut and the bridge.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
I have played live with this guitar. After 30 years of playing the finish and hardware are all still in good shape. Guitar is in solid shape.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Not needed
Overall Rating
:
9
I have played for 40 years. I have bought and sold electic guitars and come back to accoustic. I have several other accoustic guitars and this Alvarez gets the majority of my playing time.
Product: Alvarez 5039
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
08/17/2006
at
12:45pm
by
RAR
Features
:
10
Martin D-45 copy. Rosewood adjustable bridge. Schaller style tuners, Rosewood fingerboard, mahogany neck. Think it's a laminated spruce top, Rosewood back and sides. Came with a beat up OHSC. Made in Japan, probably in the mid 70's. All the features I need.
Unbelievable build quality.
Sound
:
9
The sound is balanced between the brightness of my Taylor Big Baby and the bass/heavy sound of my Martin DX1. Perhaps could be a little louder, but I like the tone. My style is all over the map, this guitar works well for most.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
I got this used, probably made in the 70's. The Made in Japan label had alot to do with my decision to buy. The setup is perfect, no buzzes anywhere, intonation is right on. Has an adjustable bridge which is cool. Spruce top (could be laminated) with rosewood back and sides. Inlays and body binding are fantastic, as is the build quality. The neck is perfect for my hands. The body size and balance are perfect. I play this for hours without getting tired ( unlike my other acoustics).
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Built like a tank. I can't imagine what a guitar with this quality would cost now. The case is came with was beat up, but the guitar plays and looks close to perfect. Definitely could gig with it. Everthing is solid.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Haven't had to deal with them.
Overall Rating
:
10
Been playing heavily for 2 years. I have the mentioned acoustics, and a number of electrics, including a Gibson Melody Maker. I think I should have bargined for the price, but I guess too excited. I played quite a few other guitars,(Seagulls, Washburns and another Alvarez, which I also really liked), this shown above others costing much more. The frets need to be smoothed out some and could use a new nut, these are my only complaints. If lost or stolen, I'd try to find something with a similiar build quality and playabilty ( have to be used, I couldn't afford this new), or another of the new Alvarez's, their necks are perfect for me( I might get one anyway!). Awesome guitar.
