Alvarez 5227

Dreadnought size, 4" deep, solid spruce top, rosewood fingerboard 20 frets. Markers at 5, 7, 9, 12, & 15. Neck is very slim and feels great. Was probably made in the '80s, I'm the 3rd owner at the very least.

Once I got it cured, (more on this below) it sounds terrific! All I could have asked for, easy hammer-ons and good sustain. I'm mostly a blues/rock electric guy, but every now and then you want an acoustic for something and this can do any style. I do a lot of homework before any instrument purchase, and I wanted to find something with some age on it. Alvarez seemed to have universal positive reviews, so I went ahead and ordered this one on eBay.

In this section, I'm going to dismiss how it sounded and played at first, and only comment on how it is when wet up properly. I can't comment on how it came out of the factory, only assume it was something like I have it now. Other than that tuner thing, it's very well-made and held up extremely well, over 25 years old and it looks like it was made yesterday. The woodwork is superb after all this time, and I've got a picky eye. No flaws at all that I can see, just a fine instrument.

As I said, I got it used, so I can comment on the condition in which I received it. When I first got it, I was kind of disappointed because it sounded terrible for a guitar that was presented as great-sounding. There was fret buzz on everything below the neck joint, and the intonation was way off. After messing with it for a while, I noticed the tuning pegs were slipping. Well, these were an unusual shape, and I couldn't find a replacement set at the time. So I put the guitar away for about 6 months, and then I found an almost perfect match at StewMac (overlooked the obvious), in their budget generic tuners! The only difference is cosmetic, the gear cover is house-shaped instead of the original which had an extra point so it was kind of football shaped. The screwholes lined up exactly, but the metal grommets that came with the new set were a slightly smaller diameter, so I just kept that part original and it worked fine. That fix, along with new Elixir bronze strings, was all that guitar needed and it's now perfect! You'd never know I replaced the tuners.
There's virtually no fret wear, so I suspect this guitar has spent a lot of time in the case. Barring any abuse or accident, it should out-last me! I'd give it a 10 for the current reliability/durability but I gotta take points off for having to replace the tuners.

unknown

I've only been playing for about a year, and I have lots of nice gear.. 3 USA strats, a Music Man piggyback combo, tweed blues Jr, etc. and I wanted one good acoustic to go with all that. This find is just what I was looking for. I doubt I'd find another if it were stolen, but I'd try, or look for a similar model.

My Alvarez model 5227 was an inherited guitar, so I don't know the manufacture date, but sometime in the mid-70's. Solid-spruce top, rest of woods unknown. 20 frets, joined at the 14th. Pretty standard stuff.

This guitar truely has the best sound of any guitar I've ever heard. It probably didn't cost that much when it was bought, a couple hundred maybe, but this cheap guitar will take a Martin down any day. Huge sound volume, rich bass, mids, bright treble. Just beautiful.

My only gripe with this guitar is the poor action. I had it lowered somewhat, but I was scared to go too far, to avoid the dreaded buzzing. It's not the best built guitar, but somehow it still has the best sound. Replaced two broken nuts also, otherwise no worries. Finish is great though, especially considering the abuse it has taken.

I plan on this guitar out-living me. I'm going to give it to my son or daughter just as I inherited from my mother.

who knows, not I

Sometimes I want a new guitar, with a better neck and action, but I go play guitars and none of them can match the sound-quality of this one, so if you can find a 5227 Alvarez, I say snap it up.

Just correcting my previous writings. This guitar has a Solid Spruce top. Don't know how I made the mistake. It is an Artist Model. After forever, I recently replaced the saddle and nut (second time for the nut) with a Tusq set. All I can say is WOW. Those guys in Canada know their stuff. I thought it sounded great before, it sounds like angels singing now. Bass, middle and highs separate and distinct. My wife even remarked how nice it sounds and asked if I bought a new guitar. I will be changing the plastic on all of my guitars now. Most of them are 70s models with old plastic nuts and saddles.

Changes in nut and saddle changed this 8 to a 10 in my book (Sounds Great!). Martin 15 series and cheaper laminated and HPL models can't touch the sound. I might say some other models but I don't want to anger anyone. Never heard a Washburn sound as nice before the new nut and saddle. Friend offered a trade for his month old Blueridge BR160. Yea, maybe in twenty years.

Been playing since I was 14 and I am 53 now. I know what nice sounds like. What do I hate? I can't find another Alvarez 5227.

This Dreadnought Special was made in 1985. 20 Frets and it joins at the 14th. The finish is still as glossy as new. The Spruce top looks to be laminated but sounds like it isn't. Rosewood sides and back are a thing of beauty. Neck looks mahogany but the headend is Rosewood and the fingerboard appears to be rosewood. The bridge is also Rosewood. It has the mirrored A in Abalone on the headend. The top has aged to a nice color. She reminds me of my wife of twenty-five years, aged gracefully and wonderful to hold. Never knew where it was made, never cared. Just glad it was and I got hold of it.

It sounds as beautiful as it looks that only comes from age. Full bass and mid ranges and bright highs. Great volume. Friends with newer Martins are still jealous of it's sound.

I bought it used and the original owner never played it after the first two weeks. It came to me as new. There never were any flaws on this guitar. The top, back and sides look wonderful. Fit and finish was great. Nothing has rusted or oxydized. Looks better than it did in 1987, if that is possible.

This guitar has taken more than its share of moving and changes in latitudes. The finish looks as good as it did in 1987. I am and have been very happy with this guitar.

Never used Alvarez for support. Replaced a cracked nut once.

I have been playing for more than thirty years. My Ovations didn't sound as nice as this. If it were lost or stolen I would suffer great anguish and would never find another like it.