Alvarez 5052

This is a knock-off of the Gibson Jumbo, with a sunburst finish, rose and vine inlaid pickguard, ivoroid binding on the body and neck / mustache shape-adjustable bridge

Tuners are stock with plastic knobs, 1-11/16" at the nut / 20 fret neck@25-3/4" length. Crown inlays on the neck and headstock, plastic truss rod cover. Mine is missing the "z" from the inlaid Alvarez logo on the headstock, must have been a factory second....

Medium grain solid spruce top, and solid (i believe) mahogany back, with laminated mahogany sides. Mahogany neck with painted headstock.

It was made in Japan, this one on Feb. 5, 1973. I bought it used in 1974, for either $125 or $175 (?) from an acquaintance.

I've played this as a "hobbyist"/ semi-pro, from coffeehouse / cafes to parties / weddings to bars and inns, for folk and acoustic rock to swing-jazz and bluegrass, for solo gigs to bar band rhythm guitar, mic-ed or with a stick-on Hot Dot pick-up. It projects really well, has a great full and balanced sound with good bass response which i like because at acoustic gigs over the years i've often had to cover the bottom end in the absence of a bass player. About 4 years ago i finally bought another Alvarez PD80SC acoustic electric to be my main guitar, until i finally break down and get a Martin HD-28. Even though both Alvarez are mahogany backed, the new one lacks the bottom end of the 5052. The 5052 has definitely aged gracefully in terms of sound, coming into its fullness as it has aged.

Not sure how the guitar was set up new as i bought it used. The action is high and the neck is has a slight bow, under medium gauge strings. I've made minor adjustments to the truss rod and adjustable bridge over the years.
I just put my first set of lights on it ever, a short while back, which doesn't seem to make much difference. Though the action is a bit high, this hasn't bothered me, and it seems to work for flat-picking.
As the intonation seems okay to my less-than-trained ear, i've never gotten around to having a pro look at it or set it up. This may have something to do with the fact that the labor charges would amount to more than i paid for the guitar and i haven't wanted to endure the "hairy eyeball" from a pro wondering why i was bothering.

There's a buzz in the "A" at the 15th fret, which i never use.
Also a bit of "stic-tion" in the "G" at the nut, when tuning. Apart from that, while the tuners are pretty cheap, this things holds its tune incredibly well, regardless of weather / temps / humidity, etc.

I really like the slim neck, got used to it over the years such that when i bought my one-and-only electric, a modified Tele about 8 years later i liked the rosewood laminate neck on the Fender because it played just like the Alvarez.

The 5052 is also nice and light, for a larger bodied guitar.

This guitar has stood the test of time way beyond expectations. Never would have believed that it would hang in there for 33 years, still going strong. There are no signs of lifting in the bridge or deformation of the top. Other than a few minor cracks in the finish, there's just the usual wear and tear, knicks and dings. It is getting slightly fretted, and the rosewood neck is getting some pits in the non-inlaid areas. I've worn the finish around the sound hole just a bit, but the pickguard is bombproof. (I've often wondered if the thickness of it dampens the top....)
I've thought about replacing the tuners a few times, but they ain't broke, so...... If i was a full time player it might have been different, but as a hobbyist playing 5 local gigs a month in a busy month and rehearsals / practice at home beyond that, it has served me really well for a Japanese knock-off.

For many years this was my only acoustic, so I guess it's been really dependable. I still gravitate toward this if it's a purely acoustic gig, because of its projection and volume.

Haven't had to search out any kind of support, as of yet.

I've been playing for 38 years now, had this guitar for most of them.
Nothing that a Martin wouldn't replace, but i do have a real sentimental attachment to it now. It was even stolen once, but recovered. Had to go to the Police evidence locker to play it, for the month that it was "in custody". Fortunately the sergeant in charge was a player, so he understood.

Other instruments are the '67 Tele, an early 80's Peavy T-40 bass, and the PD80SC.

The 5052 has great sound, which is the main reason why i like it. I could do without the sunburst and the inlays, etc, preferring a more understated look. Things i'd change if i felt like playing at
guitar-smith for a day would be tuners, nut, saddle and pegs. Lose the plastic and get bone or something similar.... If i had more money to throw at it i'd consider a more modern pick-up.

This jumbo acoustic guitar (very much in the style of the classic Gibson J-200) was made some time around 1975. Mine has the old-style headstock, though, before the double-A logo...mine has "Alvarez" in script (like the Gibson) and a little crown inlay in the center of the headstock (also like the Gibson).

The guitar is finished in a warm, rich, beautiful sunburst scheme, and has the classic flower-inlaid pickguard from that era. (See some basic pix of this guitar <a href="http://www.wichitavortex.com/alvarez" target="_blank">here</a>.) This guitar is <i>huge,</i> and I love that! (I'm 6'4", 275 lbs., so it seems right on me.) Has original tuning pegs, stylized "mustache" bridge, crown inlays up the neck, classy binding all over...this is <i>easily</i> the most lovely guitar I've ever owned.

Sounded great the minute I pulled it out of the box (I mail-ordered it over the internet), but then sounded <i>fantastic</i> when I put on a new set of medium-gauge strings. I'm in love!

I have been playing since I was a wee'un in the '80s, and have had tons of guitars, both electric and acoustic. But for some reason, "jumbo" guitars never really blipped on my radar until just a few weeks ago, when I was on a visit to the local Guitar Center. They had a brand-new Gibson J-1000 XTRA (their bargain-basement jumbo) on clearance for $1250. This is a guitar with no pickguard, matte finish, completely no-frills...but it was huge and sounded <i>awesome.</i>

I knew I had to have a big-body guitar right then, and started looking (naturally!) on eBay. I bid on a different Alvarez (a 5055), but couldn't go high enough to win it (it went for $476). Then another eBayer who buys and sells loads of guitars hit me up and sent pix of this one. We made the deal, and boy, am I happy.

Sorry for the long story, but I just gotta say...it's all about the tone with these things. The sound is so deep, yet crisp...you can hear every note ring out, and every note is <i>loud!</i> Once you've played a jumbo, everything else seems weirdly small and quiet by comparison. (Well, maybe not a Taylor.) ;) It's hard to explain, but this guitar just sounds <i>more</i> like a guitar than other guitars. Seriously, it's like, "Where have you been all my life, darling?"

This guitar is at least 30 years old, and might be closer to 35 (I myself am 37). The wood all around is lovely, though I think only the top is solid wood (spruce). The sides and back, at least from what I've read elsewhere, are high-quality laminated wood (was it maple?). The whole unit is surprisingly light...I bet the thinness of the wood helps create that bright, rich tone, and ups the volume as well. Though lightweight, it does not give the impression of being at all fragile. The only thing not excellent about this particular guitar is that it has a mean little dent in one side (about where a jack would be on a typical electric guitar), and a couple of the tuning pegs are a little sloppy, though it seems to hold true without much futzing. I put on new strings immediately and went to a jam with a friend, where we ran through a dozen or more songs...by the end, he was jealous! :)

Well, like I wrote above, it's over 30 years old and in fantastic shape...not even the pickguard is really scratched up. You can tell this guitar has been well-kept over the years, even though it's obviously got some mileage on it. It's holding up better than me, frankly. Seems like it's ready for another easy 30 years of pickin'!

I can't say anything about Alvarez' customer service, as I've never dealt with them.

Again, I've been playing for more than 20 years now, and I've had <i>tons</i> of guitars, all kinds. But this one has already found its way into my personal high canon. If it were lost or stolen, I'd be one pissed-off dude. It's aesthetically gorgeous, plays like a dream, sounds like nothing else...oh, baby. I'm gonna go play it right now. If you get the chance to buy one of these, jump on it!!!

I have an Alvarez 5052 jumbo acoustic guitar which I purchased brand new with a hard-shell case for $300 in February 1978 in Moorhead, Minnesota from Marguerite's Music (yes, they are still in business today). It is a clean jumbo acoustic (no pickup) with the red-yellow sunburst finish and a vine/bloom pick guard. The neck is 1 and 11/16 inches wide and it has a narrow neck thickness making it super comfortable and easy to play.

It has an excellent overall sound with a great low end. I use it mainly for strumming and fingerpicking. I've had this guitar now for over 26 years and I am still blown away at how its sound just keeps getting better and better with age. I had originally bought this as a second choice guitar because I couldn't afford a Guild jumbo at the time. However, it was the closest great sounding guitar I could find at the time. I have never been disappointed with it.

Overall action, fit and finish is very good. The inlays in the neck are nice, but not outstanding in terms of the materials or fit craftsmanship. For the price, it was a great deal at the time. And that deal has just gotten better and better over the years as the wood has aged well. The slightly narrow neck (1 and 11/16 inches wide) was a bit of a challenge for me at first because I have a bit larger hands but this would be great for someone with average to smaller hands to play.

It has a few finish cracks and some general (ok, quite a few) dings for 26 years of almost daily use. It is still a solid guitar and I still play it almost daily at home. I consider it a very reliable guitar; however I have busted a number of strings on it over the years. But I think that was due mainly to my strumming it a bit hard with an under amplified sound system. Going to medium gauge strings seemed to clear that up. It also holds tune very well (tuners seem OK) and movement across the frets between bar chords it really smooth and easy due to the narrow neck thickness.

Never an issue as I moved away with the guitar. I have never had any structural problems with it. It just keeps on going and giving.

I have since purchased my dream Guild guitar (JF65 brand spankin' new in 2000), but I would never give up my Alvarez 5052 guitar. It was interesting to experience that when I went looking for a top-end guitar in 2000, I compared everything I looked at to my 1978-era 5052. As I tried out guitars, even the $2000 to $3000 Martins couldn't compare with the tone, depth and ease of playing as my 5052. I eventually settled on my Guild JF65 which has a better ringing tone and a clear low-end. However, my 5052 still stands out with the best low-end bass sound than any other guitar I have ever played. If you can find a 5052 in decent shape, buy it and keep it either as a good practice guitar or a performance guitar. You can never go wrong with a 5052.

I puchased this guitar new in 1972. It is alvarez's version of the gibson J-200. This is a jumbo acoustic guitar. It was made in either Korea or Japan. It is not electrified. My understanding is none of them were electrified unless it was done by someone other than factory. It has a red-yellow sunburst finish on it. Everyone marvels at the color and detail.

This is a great sounding guitar right out of the box. I had a friend do a bit of tweaking the setup when I got it but it has been a great guitar for me. The tuners are ok, I could have some good ones put on but i like it as it is. The tone is deep and rich form the low note s to the bright high ones. I have had a few shops look at and play it. They all thought it had great sound. never a buzz. I play 10 gages on it because I like the light action it gives. 12's would give it a bit better tone but they play harder. Dislikes? I wish it was electrified.

It was set up fairly well to begin with. I wanted a bit easier to play guitar so I put lighter gage strings on it and had the bridge adjusted accordingly. The craftsmanship was great on the wood parts. I think the nut could have been fitted a bit better, when tuning the strings want to drag and release. The bridge over the years has lifted a bit on one corner. I read once this happened with this guitar in the early 70's and fixed the problem around '75. I have just taken it to a luthier to fix the lifting so it doesn't get any worse. I also am installing in a bone nut, saddle, and pegs which will improve it even more

I've played a lot with this guitar. Good hardware for the time it was built in. The finish has a few cracks on the front, probably my own fault and keeping it humidified enough. But it hasn't worn at all anywhere. It is super dependable.

no need to ebver do any warrenty with it.

I woulllld replace it with another one if I could ever find a replacement this was a great investment and would have done it again even after all these years.

I'd like to get another and electrify it if I can find one for sale.

Made in 1971 I think. copy of a gibson j200. don't know where it was made though
Jumbo body with pearloid inlays on the neck, full binding, under saddle piezo, volume and tone on the body of the guitar, strapjack, etc... it had everything that I was looking for

Acoustically, this is probably the best sounding guitar I have ever played. The sound is full and balanced, and sounds like a $2000 or better guitar. It is the kind of sound studio engineers wish acoustic guitars had. the only drawback was the electrics. the stock piezo sounded pretty bad, and was heavy on the b string. I replaced it with and dean markley sweet spot, and still wasn't happy. Then I put a b-band a2.2 in it and it sounds awesome electric now as well.

I don't know how well this guitar was set up from the factory because I bought it very used. I made a new bridge for it, but I still need to refine it some. It has great action and feel, and has lower action than many electric guitars. the high e string buzzes some up high on the neck, but that is because I didn't adjust the new bridge I made right, but I can live with it. without being plugged in, I would rate this a 12, but plugged in it is a 10

I think this guitar will withstand a lot, considering it is about 35 years old already, and has a few scars and scratches on it. I would gig for sure without a backup.

na, I bought it used

Best guitar I have ever heard or played. I like it better than the $2000 gibsons and taylors I played