Alvarez RD30SC

6-String Dreadnought single cutaway, Alvarez electronics. Hardshell TKL dcase. Die cast tuners. Spruce top, mahogany sides & back. Hav ebeen playing 20+ years. Consider myself average. Not a tone freak like some of my friends.

Acoustically, sounds a little thin (not bad, though) compared to some higher end Collings, Taylors or Martins. A little on the bright side. Would say it sounds great for the price range. Electronics are somewhat lackluster in that they don't accurately reproduce the tones that come from the wood. Need a Fishman style blender setup to get the best "plugged in" sound.

Action is great like an electric. Fit & finish is as good as it gets. Tuners are die cast sealed (Schaller copies?). Rock solid.

Overall reliability I believe will be good. Wouldn't hurt to change the cheesy plastic bridge pins to something more robust, though. case is a little cheesy but expected in this price range.

No experience here.

I play mostly electrics. Have evolved into the mid-range to high end electrics over the years. Keep thinking I need to upgrade to a Martin, taylor, Collings etc. acoustic to keep up the pace but honestly, I like this guitar. It continues to keep pace!!! I will eventually change the electronics to Fishman (or similar) to get a more realistic acoustic sound through the PA. Great bang for the buck. Don't give "10" ratings on much of anything. Sorry

2001 Alvarez RD30SC (dreadnaught cutaway, acoustic-electric) made in Korea. This guitar sports a solid spruce top, laminate mahagony sides and back, and a mahagony neck with rosewood fingerboard. The body top and back are bound and there is a rosette around the sound hole.

The tuners are no-name, Gotoh-like locking tuners much in the vein as Korean Epiphones use. They work fine.

The pickup system is Alvarez's 9-volt battery-drive "System 500-II" piezo-powered preamp with a 4 band EQ, volume, and battery check button. No microphone on this one.

The neck is fairly thin - more like an electric than a chunky acoustic. The guitar came strung with Elixer 12's and is very easy to play. Good low action.

The guitar does not come with a case, but I bought a deluxe Alvarez hardshell case in brown for the guitar at the time of purchase. These cases are made by TKL, who makes them for Gibson and other guitar makers.

If it had a mic or on-board DSP effects, I would have given it a "10", but as it is a "9" if pretty darn good.

Fortunately, I got to play a number of Alvarez's and Takamines and was able to cherry-pick my RD30SC.

I played the RD20, RF20C, AD60SC and a number of others. My RD30SC beat 'em all in pure acosutic tone, though the AD60SC was about the same. Hands down, though, my RD30SC played the best and was the easiest to finger.

Amplified I liked the RF20SC alot, but it didn't play well and did not have much pure acoustic volume. Plus it's preamp was not as versatile as the RD30SC's. When I got the RD30SC home and was able to exercise it, I found that the System 500-II to be a much more versatile preamp system than that which comes on the lesser models.

The System 500-II's EQ controls are VERY active. There's not a lot of travel for the glider switches, but they make a huge difference in sound. From bassy jazz to shimmering, brassy tones.

The guitar feeds back like any good hollow body. I am playing it through my Fender Ultimate Chorus DSP 2x12 amp in the low input which is made for guitars with active preamps. It sounds wonderful.

Acoustically, this guitar is excellent. Loud and well balanced with enough brass to let you know you are playing with new strings.

I used to own the AD60SC and at the time had a Fender Acoustasonic Pro amp ($1,000 A/E amp). Over time, I found the AD60SC to be too bright and brassy through the APro and ended selling it. Now, here I am a year later and an ownder of the RD30SC which is the same guitar as the AD60SC except for the lack of neck and headstock binding, but now I have a different amp.

The System 500-II preamp can be brassy on amps that emphasize trebles like A/E amps do. Even on my UC-DSP, I can make the RD30SC brassy if I want it. But I turn dow the treble on the guitar's preamp and it warms right up.

In a word, the action, fit and finish were PERFECT! The binding is perfect; the wood is perfect. Nothing wrong at all!

I don't gig, but would not have a problem doing so with this one.

The shop is locally owned by a one time local performer, Mike. He is very knowledgeable, nice, and a pleasure to deal with. I spend about $1,000/year at his shop and have bought Taylors, other Alvarez's, archtops etc from him. The Alvarez has a lifeitme warranty the seems to cover most everything. This is my second Alvarez. No problems so far. I've contacted ST Louis Music, the US distributor for Alvarez before and they have always been very helpful.

I used to own a Taylor 412CE and the RD30SC beats the Taylor for pure acoustic output and tone. The 412CE was boxy as if it would never break in. Granted, the 412CE's Fishman Prefix preamp was nicer than the System 500-II in amplified tone - for at least as long as the strings were new on the 412CE. After that, I didn't caremuch for it until I changed strings again.

412CE's now cost $1,200. The RD30SC is $400. Hmm, which one is a better value for your dollar?

2001 Alvarez RD30SC, has a solid spruce top, mahogany sides & back (laminated mahogany, & if you don't believe me take out the controls/eq & look), rosewood bridge & fingerboard with dots. Has chrome die cast tuners that feel good & smooth. Not sure what the neck is made of but it is straight with a satin finish (the satin feels much better than the smooth finish on my other piece of wood). Came with system 500 MIKII, Sounds good plugged into my Peavey practice amp. Made in Korea if you can believe it. If you need more info go to the website. NO inlays-why do you need them? Great price on guitar of this quality.... come on now it's not a Taylor or Martin that will cost $1k or more.but it is a very capable guitar.

I play mostly blues and classic rock. I have a small Peavey studio 40 that I have plugged into and it sounds fine, but I'm mostly unplugged the guitar puts out good volume on its own. The sound is full and equal as far as lows, mids, & highs-I like the low deep end sound and this guitar can deliver. It's still new & I suspect the sound will only get better as the top loosens up. I played it against Sigma's (Martin made), Ovations, Takamines, & other Alvarez guitars. The guitar had the best sound of all of them in the store. That is Why I Bought it. It's not the Taylor I played that listed at $2800.00, But it is as good if not better than the guitars I played in the range of $400-$800. I'm giving it an 8 because 1st it's new, & 2nd the $2800.00 Taylor sounds incredible.

I don't know how it was set-up from the factory. I bought it from a smaller dealer that actual takes the time to inspect & set-up the guitars prior to putting them out to sale. The bindings look solid & the finish is thick, no noticeable flaws in wood or workmanship.. ie glue everywhere. NOW, let's talk about the action- like I said the store I bought it from set it up. I do not know what he did, but the action is great, it's low enough to lead and also when I get on it during some Stones rhythm (I like rhythm heavy handed) it does not buzz against the frets. I'm giving it a 10 because the action is as good or better than the Taylor.

I do not play gigs; I'm not that far along. Strap buttons are large & feel solid. The finish looks good. I don't think anyone with any sense would gig without a backup.. ie get drunk...fall of stage....break neck off of guitar. I did let my father-in-law, that plays in a band, take a look at it & he said (while drinking) that he would use it on stage. Told him where I got it & he could get his own. DO NOT LOAN OUT YOUR GUITAR...it's more valuable than wife.

I know the people I bought it from & trust them. I have not had to deal with the factory. It's brand new.

I've been playing seriously for about 6 years. Had started playing earlier, but bought a piece of junk electric & never tried learning the correct way to play; until, my father-in-law gave me an acoustic. If I lost position of this guitar I would first kick the crap out of the dog, then go to the store to get another. It is a simple, clean sounding acoustic electric w/cutaway. Not to fancy, not to cheap in appearance or quality, just right. The action & sound is very capable of lots of great music. I choose this guitar for that reason. I choose Alvarez because of the other ratings on this site. Great guitar and if you are looking for one in the $300-$800 range- find one & play it.....

Purchase New in May 2001, Don't know year it was actually made. Has 22 frets. Solid Spruce Top. Mahogany back and sides. Alvarez System 500 II pickup / equalizer with Volume, Contour, Bass, Mid, Treble. Cut-away dreadnought. Chrome tuners. Paid total $545 for guitar, case, and tax. Guitar alone was purchased at $415, marked down from about $550

I had a nice Takamine cutaway for years. I loved the sound of the Takamine, However, Once I got this Alvarez in my hands, there was no comparison. the Alvarez sounds Full, Bright, and Strong. This is a mid-range Alvarez. It might not have the sound of a Yari or a Gibson Dove, but I have to say, it sounds great. I have played guitar for 24 years and I am extremely happy with the sound. The action is just as good as my Takamine if not better.

Action is great. Pickups are nice. Very pretty guitar. White trim around the body. The Solid Spruce Top is a lighter color than many guitars, but I like it. Im planning on putting some gold tuning machines on it. It came with chrome, but I like the gold look. The neck and head stock are very plain looking. Thats just Alvarez for ya. But the sound is great.

This is a brand new guitar, so I can't answer on Reliability or Durability. Seems to hold up nice thus far??

Unknown

I have played for 24 years. I own a Takamine, fender strat, Honer, Monteray, and this Alvarez. I don't have alot of money to throw around on guitars. If I did, I would own a Gibson Dove, or Taylor "somethin". For this money, I feel its a better deal than a Takamine. I shoped all over hitting about 8 different music stores. This guitar was the best deal I found and one of the best guitars I found for the money. I would strongly recommend Alvarez guitars (with a solid top)