What Is Alvarez Doing?! | Alvarez Masterworks MDR70SB

A couple of months ago I got an @AlvarezGuitarsOfficial Masterworks MDR70SB. Its amazing. It sounds great, plays great and looks amazing. So... How is Alvarez doing this?!
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[@752brickie]

I have owned a lot of Alvarez guitars and they have always been way way worth more than their price !

[@ericporterfield5531]

Saying goodbye to your dog like I do my wife is priceless. Great review.

[@HayesTech]

I too have a few videos out on Alvarez guitars and love them. I'm also not a fan of the shape of the bridge, but after finding out why they are that way, I completely get it and actually like it now. The bridge is shaped that way to allow the strings to angle sharply down, after leaving the saddle, heading to the pins (it lowers the pins a lot which is why it's dished out). It makes for a louder and more resonant experience.

[@kazzz2765]

part of why it sounds so good is the bridge shape

[@tomformanek3312]

Correct. Get over the looks. The break angle gives it great tone.

[@charliewelch328]

Mr Yairi was a genius with development of the bridge.

[@tomformanek3312]

@@charliewelch328 Exactly. Just because Martin doesn't do it doesn't mean ir's not an improvement. Fewer neck resets.

[@user-yq9jv4qn7f]

I’ve came to the same conclusion, but I’d been playing Martin OMM for decades, but unfortunately had to sell and now an all mahogany with the Sitka spruce top is now about $3300. That makes me look twice and I gotta tell you you’re right I Alvarez is definitely the way to go.

[@MultiDreamer1979]

Everyone agrees Alvarez needs more praise I love own a parlor one and this one is coming in a couple of days cant wait!!

[@scottfishkind5335]

Nicely done!! They really do make great guitars!!

[@leonodoherty9775]

I've had mine for about two months too! And I've found there are pros and cons! For the money it's fantastic! Out of the box, It's a great little picker! But lacked somewhat when it came to strumming! Strus rod adjustments helped but raising the bridge at the top end (B and E strings 2ml) really made it sing! The pickup is ok but really not to my taste and I'll be changing as soon as the next paycheck comes in! All in all A great little guitar that can hold its own (with a few little tweaks) with my J 45 and even (dare I say it) my D 35 . xx

[@paulrich6307]

Nice playing!

[@752brickie]

Norman Blake was a big fan of the 12 fret dreads like that ! I have three 12 fret 00 and 000 's !

[@lhvent]

I have 4 Alvarez Guitars. Two of them are 12 fret slope shoulder dreadnought models.

[@jakeweber5578]

The bridge gives a sharper break angle that gives you that sound.

[@LegsON]

You can achieve the same result by rampnig +/ slotting the bridge.

[@elsizzle2000]

​​@@LegsONyeah I have done this on all my guitars. This type of bridge seems a gimmick. No way to tell how much this type of bridge nAkes a difference. Not to mention the bridge looks hideous

[@tone5052]

Sweet. Thanks

[@im58woody]

The dog scene was priceless 😂 Alvarez is coming out with all new models with LR Baggs HiFi preamps soon if not already. At great prices too. I might look into one of those. I think they are calling them Custom Series.

[@hoofhearted5069]

I got one when they came out and for the money it’s a wicked guitar sounds really good but unbelievably loud nice soft feeling under your fingers chimes like a goodun cost £599 uk worth every penny

[@tosaveonelife]

I am blessed to own two Alvarez Yairi, and I have the Yairi 12 fret model like yours only the Yairi model, and love it - I know you mentioned about the bridge, you might enjoy researching why they use that bridge configuration,, makes a lot of sense,.. anyway you have a beautiful guitar and thanks for sharing !!

[@evanogden]

I read that they had a unique design for the bridge. I should have been clear about that on the video but wasnt unfortunately. For me, it just doesnt do it aesthetically. But hey, Tone > Aesthetic

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

Im a fan of vintage Alvarez haven't looked at newer lines I have have the Martin ooo15sm which is solid mahogany 12 fret guitar slotted headstock and for under 1k

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

Do a little research on that bridge it is amazing I have a early Alvarez Yairi that I wish had that bridge system

[@kelvinpell4571]

Interesting.....the best things about Alvarez for me are the bridge and the neck shape!........Just personal preference I guess

[@soofitnsexy]

nice for the money! it doesnt come cose to your Martin sinker hog but for a grand an excellent guitar!!

[@douglasdingwall4915]

Shouldn't that wire in the sound hole be secured?

[@G_Demolished]

I have one of these in a Sweetwater cart trying to find a reason not to pull the trigger. I spent the Martin money on a D18 and I love it, but I’ve been looking for a rosewood guitar without dropping that much again.

[@evanogden]

You’re not going to find an excuse here

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

Ps back in the 60-70s Alvarez has the lawsuit Martin's if you ever run across one in good shape get it I how a 12 string lawsuit Alvarez amazing guitar

[@michaelkrailo5725]

About the bridge, why is it not your favorite? Is it the look that puts you off or something else specifically? I always looked at this type bridge as an innovative improvement in bridges. I like the no pickguard look.

[@evanogden]

Its just the aesthetic I don't like. Some here have mentioned it helps with the guitar resonance and tone. That is true on the high end Yairi models. These models have the same bridge pin design as most other guitars so its just the look I don't like. Not a deal breaker.

[@michaelkrailo5725]

@@evanogden Thanks for clarifying that. I've been looking for a good 12 fret guitar. This one looks like it will do the job. Even if I have to upgrade the tuners for some reason, it looks like it will be worth it just for that incredible sound. I hate that strap button placement, but that's fixable. I actually like the soft V shape neck, it's just a personal preference. One last question, how does it sound if you put a capo on the second or first fret? It looks like it would be just fine. I really like the overall sound and can't wait to get my hands on one to try out.

[@evanogden]

@@michaelkrailo5725 yeah I didn’t have any intonation issues with using a capo until about the 7th fret on the low E string. Capoing normally I didn’t have any issues. I can’t recommend these enough. I’ll probably own another one at some point down the road. They just sound great

[@tone5052]

What microphone do you use? Good sound. I’m close to buying a hummingbird but this making me think twice

[@evanogden]

Shure SM137 I think it is. I can’t tell ya what to buy but you won’t be disappointed with a mid to high level Alvarez

[@tone5052]

@@evanogden Well I grabbed an Alvarez - damn sounds amazing!

[@brookshanson654]

How does it compare to that j-45 in the back?

[@evanogden]

Its beena minunte since I owned the Alvarez. I had to move it along to get a dream guitar. from what I remember, the alvarez was not as mid-ranged focused as the J45. The Alvarez was more high and low end focused. balanced overall but focused in those areas a bit more

[@mervspence4601]

Why the f..k would yo change the bridge?

[@ikigai47]

Yeah I think we as guitarists start off being trained as sheep to be honest. We need the certain "name" on our headstocks because we saw our heroes use them and anything short is a disappointment. I'm just as guilty as anyone. Then the large companies bend you over the sink because of it. Gibson had a chance to get my loyalty but they were just too far out of reach and when I finally was making good money I now have no interest in them I don't care who played them. That's how I first became an Ibanez guy, then a Fender guy. Value for money. With acoustics I have bought Martin / Taylor, but my favorites are the Yamaha AC5R and the Alvarez MD70EBG. So good. Just as good as any high end guitar I've played. We need to start rewarding the companies that give us extreme value for the money instead of those that would sodomize us just because iconic musicians have used them.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Do you know a thing about guitar-making? Most reviewers these days seem to know nothing at all about what goes into MAKING a guitar. Pretty damn pointless talking about the whole area...

[@niekgrandiek4584]

Nice story Evan BUT ... for 15% of the guitarplayers this is out of reach! And you know what? It is so f***ing frustrating. Beautiful stories about well build guitars for an affordable price but not for us. Why, you wonder? 'Cause we're left handed.... So, no amazing guitars for us .

[@evanogden]

😆 I can understand your pain. BUT... This guitar doesn't have a pickguard so with a quick bridge swap... it can.. be?

[@niekgrandiek4584]

@@evanogden Watch the position of the bridge, watch it properly. It's not straight. The 6th string is longer than the 1st. So when you change it to left handed, it will become impossible to tune it right. The bracing inside the guitar doesn't 'fit' . The nut is the other way around. Sorry, it won't work.

[@eddiehiggins1714]

I don't think so, the bracing is different between left and right hand guitars