Alvarez RD8C

I bought this because I loved the sound. Much better than my Gibson or Fender acoustics. Action was much like playing an electric but with the full body acoustic sound, really sweet

Great sound for about the first 2 months then I noticed a buzzing at the lower frets where the neck meets the body/

Fit and finish was average for a 300 guitar that included a hard case. Was a small dimple under the pickgaurd like someone got a piece of dirt under it before gluing the pickguard on. Wasn't noticable until the protective plastic was removed.

Durability sucks. I got the lemon it seems!

I have been trying to get it repaired for 6 months now. The warranty is limited lifetime and it seems Alvarez will not let the music store fix it but they have to return it to Alvarez at their cost to determine if the guitar is to be fixed or repaired. I have owned the guitar for 8 months and have been trying to get it fixed for 6 of those months!

I have been playing 40 years. own a Gibson, Sigma and Fender acoustics this is the first electric acoustic. I would never buy another Alvarez based on my experience

Acoustic/electric, with 2 band EQ. This guitars features are all listed on other reviews, so i won"t list them here.

I play classic rock,blues,country... And it does a pretty good job.Decent tone and action.I'd say it has a bright sound,thats not bad, but it isn't the best by far, but it's not bad for a $270 axe.The battery placement is unforgivable, and next to immpossible!This guitar really doesn't have much variety at all in it's sounds, but if your looking for a decent clean acoustic sound, it can do that.

the action, fit and finish on this axe was average. The action seems to change, depending on what gage strings I had on it.The finish and fit are what you'd expect on a $270 guitar, OK but nothing special.

I use this in my home studio, and have never played ouy with it. I would say it's of average Reliability, given the price of it.You get what you pay for!

No contact

Iv'e been playing for 32 yrs, and own a Parker Nitefly guitar, a Kramer Pacer Deluxe,a carvin X100B amp, a ADA MP-1 tube preamp,a Line 6 Flextone 3 amp, and a small home studio.I needed a inexpensive acoustic for my studio, and i got this.It does an OK job, but i'd like to upgrade to a better acoustic when I can afford to.I would never buy this guitar again, mainly becuse of the pain in the ass to change the battery.The electronics in it are cheap, and that doesn't help it's electric sound, but the plain acoustic sound isn't bad.

I thought i would submit a second review after owning this guitar for 2 years. I had to change the battery the other day it was impossible. The battery leads are way too short and there is no access door. After trying for over an hour, I had to remove the preamp and extend the wires. Although this has no affect on the sound or playability of the guitar, I have to warn potential buyers about this achilles heel in an otherwise excellent guitar.

Sounds better each time I pick it up

Plays great

Tuners could be better, seems to be holding up well as I play pretty hard.

Never dealt with them

Great guitar would rate a 10, lousy battery access design rates a 1, my only compliant.

Bought it in 3\2\05 brand new.
Paid $269.00 US
You can dig for cheaper but $300 and below is a good value for electronics and a hard case. Anyone not thrilled with this guitar either got a lemon (go exchange it) or has absolutely no idea what value means. It's no Taylor but a great sounding entry level guitar or what my buddy Jimbo calls a "beater".(knock around)
Body Style Dreadnought Cutaway
Back/Sides Mahogany
Top Spruce
Finish Natural Gloss
Body Binding Black Multi-layer
Fingerboard Rosewood
Tuners Covered
Bridge Rosewood
Electronics 2-band EQ

Battery placement could have used some thought. Need to loosen strings to get to it. Neck is thinner than I'm used to but my other guitar's neck is a little wider than normal.Not a problem.

Great tone. I lead worship in home groups and Bible studies and it is a great guitar unplugged. What a blessing. Electronics are functional, no complaints there. Don't realy plug in much but when I have, it works fine.

Played perfectly out of the case. No flaws. Nothing sounds better than Elixer strings, wich are what it comes with. (11.99 at stringsandbeyond.com, free shipping if you buy three sets) I don't work for them, I just want fellow musicians to know where to get them cheap. Wood was nicely matched and well cut.

I know friends that have owned this guitar for two years and it plays as well as new. Hardware seems tough. Finish is thick and durable.

N/A

I've ben playing on and off for 24 years. Seriously committed to the craft for the last three. I own two Taylors and this Alvarez gets played a lot.(nothing beats a Taylor. Just bought my son a 310CE LI)
Feel free to contact me with questions.

2004 Japanese with 22 frets, I beleive,laminated spruce top, satin neck, 3 band eq (1 volume), with peizo pickup, generic tuners and nice case to match

I mainly play classic rock and modern rock and really just needed a replacement for my old yamaha for my class in school. I tried it in the store and it sounded really bright and loud unplugged and pretty good plugged in. I just got mine today and theres lots of things I like as well as dislike. I like the case that came with it, top of the line, also, its put together pretty good and the neck is so smooth. I didn't really like the generic tuners and the back and sides feel a little fake, like plastic, but its built like a tank.

When i got it the action was perfect and they come with elixer strings already installed. Mine was in perfect shape and played great right out of the box.

So far it seems like it will hold up pretty well. Besides the tuners, which im going to replace, the guitar is built pretty solid. Like I said, the back and sides feel kind of fake, but they really sound and look great.

Havnt dealt with them yet, but I havnt heard one bad thing about them.

Compared to my last guitar, this guitar is great. After playing a 1974 cheap yamaha for 2 years this is heaven. I did my research and think I got a great deal. Like I said, the case is a major plus and is really built solid. By the way, I priced it all over the net and world music supply was the cheapest price I found it for, and if you're going to buy it from there, I beleive they have it under guitar packages.

This is a chinese made guitar. I'm not sure Alvarez makes anything real special (despite Staind playing them, but what does Staind know about acoustic tone?).
20 frets, laminate spruce top, mahogany back and sides, real cheap pickup system, cheap tuners, cutaway. Guitar came with a case which is pretty cool for a guitar around $200 smackers. The case brings the point ratings up, though not much.

It provides a pretty full sound through my PA (Crate 700 something or other). The electronics were getting real noisy and farting but I think that may be the battery (more on that later). Unplugged it's an OK sound. My Fender GA45SCE and Guild F4CE destroy it for tone.

This guitar arrived with really good action. The finish is nice. It's pretty to look at. I love the simple headstock. It has small dots as fret markers which is cool. I bought this as a B-stock model but I guess that's only because someone opened the box. I'll give Alvarez a bonus for sending out a cheaply made guitar with great action. The neck feels great too. Very easy to play (which I put 12-53 on). The pickguard is ugly. It's just retarded looking.

I didn't purchase this guitar for me to play (though I play it here and there). I bought it for my open mic so the guests who are too cheap and lazy to bring their guitar can play what's provided. No complaints from the Fuckheads yet. I've had assholes break strings on it. I've had them bleed on it. I've had one jerk put permanent dents into the pickguard.
Hey, don't beat the Hell out of someone else's guitar.
The hardware seems solid though I might replace the tuners and bridge pins eventually, if I decide to keep this guitar. I believe the finish will last years and years (laminate does that).
I wouldn't gig without a backup, but I've used this one as a backup at solo gigs. It's very adequate.

Not needed yet. Though I'd like to pick up the phone and scream at someone at Alvarez for the stupid battery design.

I know acoustics. I'm picky and the sound here is good enough for a loaner guitar or a backup. I'm in a band I gig with along with my solo acoustic gigs. You're not interested in all the gear I have so I'll spare you.
If this guitar were lost I'd be pissed but I wouldn't replace it with another Alvarez. Here's the bitch with this guitar. The battery replacement system sucks. I don't mean a tiny pain...it's a major hassle. Of course Alvarez sent it out with a cheapass sucko battery meaning I'd have to replace it soon (and a dying battery can blow a PA.). Not cool, Alvarez. I have man hands which means my hands can't get inside the hole to pull the battery out of it's slot then disconnect it from the connecting thingies. God, you guys suck for this, Alvarez. Many curses on you, your buicks, your children and your household pets. God the battery thing sucks. Can I emphasise how much it sucks? I'm thinking about getting rid of this guitar just so I don't ever have to whack off a fingernail ever again changing the fucking battery. You Alvarez dickheads.

Don't buy this guitar unless you personally know some tiny elves who can crawl inside and change the battery.

Overall...Fantastic Features...Can't believe how cheap I've got it for. Came with case ($100 Value - Inside, is a brilliant plush finish). I've dealt with Alvarez many times, and never have seen anything wrong with their products. Of course the 2-Band EQ isn't the best, but it still rocks...You can set it to your own settings...Beautiful Finish...I love the Mahogany. Everything about it rocks and makes you wonder about how they put it at such a low price...it plays like an $800 guitar...easy. On a side Note, Alvarez 12 Strings rock as well. This one was made in China

I play lots of rock, and use the upper frets for a lot of my music. The sound is one of a $1000 Martin. As you go up the fret board, it doesn't go outa tune. Hookin' it up? You'll be pleased...beyond belief.

Excellent everything...I got a perfect one...No scratches or bumps...(well, now that I have it...it gets banged up a lot). No flaws that I know of...No complaints.

playing Live? You'd be stupid not to get this guitar. the quality is great. No backup needed...you'll feel confident if you get this one. I've been to many shows where the persons guitar sounds horrible over the mic or thruogh the pickup...not this guitar...

Never have needed it repaired, but came with life warranty. I doubt I'll ever need it...no flaws I see.

Best Buy for any beginner or pro.

Bought in November 2002, $500CDN, came with a hardshell case which I like very much. 21 frets, spruce top, mahogany sides, piezo pickup, 2 band eq and volume control. Action was a little high when I got it, but with a little adjustment it's just right. The strings that came with it were a little big for me so I swapped them with some super lights, but that's a matter of preference. The only real problem is the tuners, they're generic and not that bad but the g string pops when trying to tune it and that can make it a little difficult to tune. I will probably swap them for a better set of tuners.

I play a lot of blues and jazz and this guitar sounds great. I like to play old acoutstic blues, and I usually tune the guitar down a step. Guitar has no troubles staying in tune even while tuned low and with very heavy bending and very fierce strumming. The sound is GREAT. It doesn't have the too-bright sound that many lower end guitars have. It's nice, warm and mellow. I have played many guitars from this price range and have to say that they all suck, the sound is terrible, the setup is terrible and they were all terrible. The Alvarez plays and sounds like guitar that costs twice as much.

Like a said before, the action was just a little high for me but that was very easily fixed. The pickups sound fine, for piezo pickups, but I rarely play amplified. The only problems with it were a small dent in the finish on the top, barely noticeable, and the glue around where the neck meets the top was a little sloppy. Nothing I'd care about from a guitar like this, but if it were a $2000 Taylor or Martin, I'd flip.

The guitar is solid. I haven't been terribly kind to it and it's held up fine. I would definitely play it live, without a backup. The warranty has been up for a while and I have not had to use it. I've had it for over a year and it's been fine, give it another two or three and we'll see, though it doesn't seem like the type of guitar that would do well over 20-30 years.

Never dealt with Alvarez, had a warranty but it's up now. From what I've heard they are excellent to deal with.

Excellent guitar, definitely no regrets in buying it. The sound is marvellous. If it were lost or stolen, I would definitely consider buying a new one, though I would probably think about buying a higher end alvarez.

Cutaway Acoustic/Electric - $299 with case!! Seems to be mahogany body and spruce top. Controls for hi, lo and volume,and lo batt indicator. No access door to the battery, have to go through the soundhole. Best $300 bucks I ever spent!!

This is the best sounding $300 acoustic I have ever heard!! Unplugged sound better than guitars costing twice as much [ie Takamine, Seagull, etc.] The amplified sound could be better, but that's due to the electronics, not the guitar itself. I mainly play this guitar unplugged, and it serves that purpose well. It ain't a Taylor or Martin, but you can't go wrong for $300. I play with other Nashville cats using Taylors, Martins, Guilds, and it holds it's own.

Setup was excellent. Very playable. I played 4 others at the store and they were all pretty consistent - surprising for a cheap guitar! The only flaw was on the binding where the neck joins the heel - not quite flush.

So far it has held up [2 months]. The glue joints often separate in cheap guitars, so time will tell. So far, so good. Tuners are generic, but work well enough. Output jack in NOT in the endpin [thank goodness].

Haven't had to deal with them.

Been playing almost 20 years. I would buy this guitar again if lost or stolen [unless I could afford a Taylor]. I love the unplugged sound and playability of the guitar. I wish it had a battery access door. The electronics could be better, but that would cost more. All in all I have found this to be the best guitar value around for the money. If you want a good guitar without going broke, this is it. Based on price/performance value, I'd give it an 11 if I could.

21 frets, I like the cutaway and the strings don't buzz out on 20
Comes with a very nice hardshell case and neck adjustment tools

Has a nice sound. The electronics sound good, I play it through a Fender Ultimate Chorus.

I have a few problems with it though. I sort of bought it in a hurry to jam with a nephew in town for a few days.
It was not put together very well. I had to file down the frets at the ends, they stuck out from the fret board and one actually cut me. Really cheap/shotty construction on the frets. When I tune up the D string it like POPS to the next octive if you will, it's hard to find the sweet spot on it.

It should last awhile I guess. I would'nt buy another one :-(

20 years
Washburn acoustic, Stevie Ray Vaughan Strat, 1986 Japanese Strat, Squire Mini-Strat. Peavy Back Stage, Fender Ultimate Chorus, DOD Tec 8
** It has a nice sound, it's a great guitar otherwise, just the fret job sux and the tuning issue

I purchased it new February 2003. This is a cutaway acoustic guitar with a built in Peizo bridge pickup. I give this guitar a 9 in this category because the strings have to be removed for the battery to be replaced and it needs to be replaced fairly often, about every 2 string changes. A battery compartment would give this guitar a 10.

This guitar sounds quite good. I had the pleasure of helping a friend buy one of these guitars. I must have went through 8 guitars and had a hard time choosing which one stood out as the best sounding. Out of the 8, only one didn't have the sound quality of the others. As for sound, they easily compared to and exceeded many more expensive model guitars. This guitar is the poor man?s dream.

The action was a little high for me. I tend to prefer a lighter gauge set of strings with an unwound third string (for bending.) I was able to lower it a little. I also adjusted the neck tension to have less relief.

The finish was ok. It has 2 dark spots on the fret board. It?s a minor defect in the wood. This really didn't bother me at the time of purchase. I was more impressed with how it played and sounded, especially for the price.

The guitar seems like it is built like a tank. I actually have hit this guitar against a table, a music stand, and a computer desk, and amazingly enough, there isn't a scratch or ding on it.

I have been playing 17 years, mainly rock, blues, and classical. If it was lost or stolen I would probably buy another one. That is if they still play and sound as good as this one. There isn't much that I don't like about this guitar. I wish the action could go a little lower. Make that, I wish I felt like taking the time to do a good setup on it. I also wish it was made in the US.