Alvarez 5220

Spruce, laminated top, dreadnought style, no-name tuners. This was my first guitar, purchased in late 1985. Made in Korea. No electronics came with the guitar, but my church bought a Fishmann piezo pickup and had it installed. Very basic guitar. This was marketed to us as a beginner's guitar, but it sounded better (clearer, deeper or more resonate than competing guitars in the same price range.

For a beginner's guitar, it sounded surprisingly good. I learned things such as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Dust in the Wind" on this guitar. With Dean Markely strings, the sound was very bright. I ended up putting Elixrs on, and the sound transformed into a rich, full sound. I was amazed and kept putting Elixrs on. Harmonics on the guitar were reasonable. Make no mistake, this is not a Taylor 310; however, the sound production out of this guitar belied its price. As I became better, I had the action lowered a little bit, enhancing playability. I rated this as a beginner's guitar.

My mother purchased this guitar for me when I was in 6th grade to start taking lessons on. The action was orginally a little high for my tastes, but it did develop my finger tips. Through the years, the quality of the guitar allowed it to stand up to a young player's neglect. There wasn't anything notable about the finish during the later years. Alvarezs today are built to a higher standard, in my observation of their guitars today.

This guitar was extremely durable. It handled me and my two sisters learning how to play guitar. It handled being taken on many trips; it handled college life. It handled being carted back and forth to church to play on stage, changes in humidity, changes in temperature, and changes in playing style well.

It finally breathed its last when my wife accidentally fell on it. She was heartbroken (she loved that guitar!). I still have it, and wonder if it can be repaired.

Never dealt with Alvarez.

I've been playing since 1985. As I stated, this is the guitar that I learned on. Since it's broken, I've purchased, but not received yet, an Alvarez AD70SC. I would love to know if the guitar could be repaired because it has been an intergal part of my life from such a young age. I also own an Epiphone Les Paul, with Gibson Burstbucker Pro pick ups. It's been professionally setup. Now it plays great, and with the pick ups, sounds great going through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Play mostly up beat praise and worship at church with the Epi through a Line 6 Pod. My Alvarez for the last year and a half stayed mostly at home, and was my song writing guitar.
I'm looking forward to the new AD70SC. I played one at a local shop, and the tone was spot on--I could hear each string distinctly. Not to bright, not too mellow. I play mostly with a pick, by the way.

Korean made gloss finish spruce top (laminated I believe), mahogany (lam) back and sides, dot markers on rosewood fretboard, 12th fret 'wings' inlay (not the diagonal seen on lots of Alvarez guitars), 20 frets, black pickguard, mahogany neck. Black/white purfling on body top, black border on back body. I don't know much about this guitar- it's hard to find info online about it. The fit and finish on the guitar is very nice for what it is.

I play lots of acoustic folk, rock, roots stuff, jammy stuff including Dead, The Band, Allmans, as well as RHCP, Wilco, Graham Parsons, Jack Johnson- lots of different stuff. The sound of the guitar is pretty nice; a little on the 'shallow' side (maybe a bit trebley; I don't want to say 'tinny' b/c it's a good sound, just not super full). The guitar stays pretty clean sounding whether you pick it, strumming, or really whomping on it. It sounds good for what it is, a laminated wood guitar.

Can't speak for how it came set-up from the factory, since it was a gift, but the action is really good on this guitar, with the exception of a g-string buzz that occurs sometimes. Also had to fill in tuner screw holes on B string (maybe my fault since I replaced tuner with cheapo tuner from guitar store- the screws were too small for the existing holes; filled 'em in with some toothpick tips and it screwed in tight). If the string isn't buzzing, it's one of the easiest, nicest guitars to play that I've ever experienced. This would be a great guitar to learn on. The action is low, the fretboard is fast, no problems with making barre chords, open chords, single note playing, etc. This was my main guitar for 5 years or so, and it's a pleasure to play.
The build of the guitar seems very solid. Frets are clean, top seems bookmatched, inside is clean, nice nut and saddle (both plastic I believe), bridge might be ebony. Aside from the buzz, and the tuner issues (probably my doing), I'd say for what it is it's pretty much perfect in this category.

When I got the guitar it needed a new tuner, for the B-string. Got one for 1.25 at the local store, put it in, made adjustments for the screw holes, and it's been solid ever since. I've played this guitar in lots of different situations including small live gigs, without issue. The true test has been when it's been dropped, banged into walls, taken along for fall 2x (a drunk friend, drunk ass**** respectively). It's taken a beating and not had any troubles. The top, lower bout is scratched up but otherwise it's in fine shape considering the beaing it's taken. I've used it many times w/o backup, and am confident that with the most simple care (don't be a dumbass and leave a guitar in a hot car, go from extreme cold to warm, watch excessive humidity, etc.) this guitar should last a lifetime.

Never dealt with Alvarez; no warranty to deal with, so no opinion. Just an FYI, couldn't find info. about the guitar on the website, but no surprise there (finding info on guitar maker's websites about specific models is the exception and not the rule).

I've been playing for 27 years; I own 2 other acoustics (one nice, one other lam. beater), a couple electrics, a guitar synth (cool!), a PA, recording gear, mandolin, and a bunch of other effects and crap that I never use. Play mainly acoustic these days. The guitar was a gift so that being said I'm thrilled with it. When it was given to me it was the nicest acoustic I'd ever owned up to that point. If it was lost or stolen I would certainly miss it; having purchased a solid woods guitar after getting the 5220 I probably wouldn't replace it with another 5220, but if one came along I'd certainly consider it if the price was right. I LOVE the playability, action on this guitar!!! Easy player, nice sound, but not as full a sound as you'd get from solid woods. I would certainly recommend this guitar to anyone, especially as a backup or a beginner's guitar. I don't know how much the guitar went for new, but I'm assuming it couldn't be more than 250.00 to 450.00. in that range, i'd say it's a great deal.