Alvarez 5080N

Nicely-appointed, simple active acoustic 3 band eq system. The guitar sounds good when plugged in. There is a laminated top, and I believe all of them have laminated tops but the top is cut at an angle away to the inside of the guitar and it is difficult to see the plies in the top. The top is a matched spruce top. It has spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, and rosewood fretboard. The rosette is nicer than other more-expensive Alvarez guitars, abalone inlays on it, the 12th fret, and on the headstock. Transparent finish. This body is a single cutaway with sound hole, and a thinner body, probably what the N stands for, narrow. The bridge is rosewood and it is overall a nice design. The chrome alvarez tuners work great and keep it in tune.

The guitar is surprisingly versatile for an acoustic guitar and plays well. It sounds great acoustically and when plugged in.

The action is a bit high for my preferences, but it was strung with thick strings, and I'll be lowering the action and using thinner strings. Overall, however, the neck is straight, intonation is good and the sound is fine for an economy instrument.

Alvarez have been long known for their reliability and this one is no exception.

Never have dealt with Alvarez.

For a lesser-expensive acoustic electric, this is a great value.

Purchased this Alvarez Fusion 5080N (Thinline Cutaway), including an Alvarez locking case on ebay because of the ending price of $163. Nervous until it arrived, but it was better then described. Manuafactured in the early 1990's, a Korean made model, it is in excellent condition, remarkably in tune, following shipping, right out of the case. The top is solid spruce, the soundhole ribboned in abolone, but the back, is most likely laminated mahogany, which is bound in painted white wood. The Maghogany is tighly grained and well matched, giving this less expensive guitar a high priced look. It is coated in a durable finish, that does not reveal the typical scratching that comes from flatpicking, etc. It does not have a pickguard. In fact the guitar looks new.
The bridge is ebony, but the neck is one piece mahogany. The fretboard is rosewood, 20 frets. There are small dotted inlays of abalone at the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th frets and a very decorative scroll in abalone at the 12th fret. The tuners are chrome without any markings to indentify the original manufacturer. Probably stock Alvarez, and not expensive, but obviously do the trick by keeping the guitar in the right key. THis is your basic cutaway acoustic guitar, not fancy, but not too plain. Somewhat classy in it's underdone design.
It is just one of those things. I was looking for a Dy to replace one that was stolen from my home, and ended up with this remarkable lesser model that will keep me playing for a while until I find the right guitar that will replace my former one. I need not hurry though, this guitar is terrific in filling the void in my life created by thoughtless theives.

Although the body is a thinline/narrow cutaway, and should be used with the pick up supplied, the volume of sound resonated is loud and bright enough to entertain small groups. It is, cheerful full range sound, that sustains itself. I have strung the instrument with very light gauge elixirs, and now do note a tad of buzzing when strummed hard. I will probably restring with a heavier gauge. I am primarily a finger picker, and the action is fabulous. A very surprising discovery on this particular model. It does have the standard factory installed Alvarez series 500A pickup, which I have only used on one ocassion. My son, a Gibson Les Paul player was amazed by the sound on this guitar after plugging it briefly for one of his band sessions, and claims I got a very good deal. IN fact he used the word, "stole it". Initially he discouraged me from looking at ebay as a marketplace to purchase a guitar. He still remains cautious, but has to admit, I did good with this one.

I bought this second hand off ebay and thus far only pleased with the ability of the seller to describe the instrument as is, and the durability of the instrument as manufactured by Alvarez in a Korean factory. I haven't found one flaw, not even a scratch in the finish. Honestly the instrument looks brand new, but sounds as though it has mellowed somewhat with a bit of age. Nothing is loose, the finish is superb, the bracing is alligned, and no glue smudges seen in any seam. It is well manufactured. The action is smooth, and it is very easy to fingerpick or strum. I rarely use a pick.

This guitar does well in small group settings unplugged, but I haven't taken it into other situations where a plug might be required. I believe the finish would withstand abuse, and my opinion would be that this would make a great backup guitar given the sound it produces and its ability to stay in tune. Personally I would probably use this model as a backup if I had another guitar of my choosing, but currently this is the only 6 string I own. ( My others were stolen )I have shown it around, and other players trying it, have been amazed by the sound and the craftmanship, especially the price.

Haven't had any dealings with St. Louis.

Originally a violin player, picked up the guitar 20 years ago primarily to accompany vocals. I am a self taught finger picker, and play mostly blues, folk and traditional celtic.
I truly enjoy the low and easy action on this guitar, and am blown away by the sound of this less expensive model. Actually bought it off ebay without trying it....another reason to be overjoyed......and very surprised. I suppose the favourite feature would be the durability, and the fact that this instrument can hold it's own even without being plugged in. It looks more expensive then it is, and heck the price was almost too good to believe. I suppose it is all about being on-line at the right time.
I have experienced theft, and still grieve over the loss of my Dy 90, and looking desparately for another. I don't feel as hurried since purchasing this guitar. This 5080N is great, but there is no way to compare it to a full sized dreadnaught's quality of sound, especially a Martin, or even an Yairi. It would be like comparing Brittany Spears to Billie Holiday soundwise. Over the past years I have owned a Aria, Yamaha, Martin, a Washburn and then the Yairi. All and all I would make the same exact purchase in buying this 5080N, even if I hadn't lost my former primary guitar. I would be nice to secure a good dependable backup guitar, at such a reasonable price.