What Is Laureate? A Deep Dive on Alvarez TV

This week on Alvarez TV we are excited to do a deep dive on our new Laureate Series. Laureate is the highest level of guitar we have ever produced at Alvarez with hand-chosen components, lots of great detail, and a stunning new finish. Tune in to find out more on Alvarez TV.
About Laureate:
Laureate is the most premium-sounding and aesthetically considered guitar line Alvarez has ever made. We modeled Laureate on a traditional guitar line, with traditional shapes, obsessing over the details to create an upscale traditional guitar that performs in a way that most other instruments cannot at such value.
Laureate allows us to explore the history and tradition of the acoustic guitar, which we’re deeply passionate about. This traditional method to the build of this line meets our more modern Alvarez approach, keeping projection and tonal design rich and dynamic. These combined philosophies to the build make Laureate distinctive and unique.
Laureates are made with a newly designed solid bridge to give Laureate guitars a more classic look, elegantly understated and made of the most premium materials we can access. The bridge plates underneath the bridge inside the guitar are hand-selected from the best maple that comes into our supply.
Laureate guitars have a hand-finished FS6 bracing system to optimize the response of the top further. We hand-select all braces, then they are cut from quartersawn spruce to help vibration transfer through them quickly. Even the side braces are chosen carefully, hand-selected for the same color Rosewood as the Rosewood used for the back and sides, so even the inside of the instrument uniform, consistent and hand-finished for the best performance.
Only the best tops are kept for Laureate, strong enough that we can sand them thinner, which helps heighten their sensitivity and responsiveness. These tops are carefully seasoned over a long period of time and then, like the rest of Alvarez solid tops, they’re vacuum kilned with our ATR™ process which adds to the tonality, the separation and the quality of the overall sound.
We hand-select backs and sides for all Laureate guitars. For this launch, we are using only the best all-solid East Indian Rosewood matched with AAA Sitka. We use the highest quality, hand-selected Mahogany kerfing for Laureate. All kerfing is graded before it’s used in Laureate to give you a guitar that is perfect inside.
Our new finish process has been designed for Laureate to be as thin as possible, while still maintaining a deep shine. Laureate also introduces a brand-new color called Daybreak. This gentle touch of color gives Daybreak finishes a warm, vintage look with a little burst around the edge.
Laureate guitars have all-ebony appointments - the bridge, the fingerboard, and the headstock facia - and we use blue abalone inlays, which is an understated, luxurious and rare touch. Laureate also comes with LR Baggs Hi-Fi system in all the models, which is an innovative bridge plate sensor system with a tonally rich and accurate sound.
Laureate is the highest-level instrument line Alvarez has ever produced, at a value that is hard to surpass. With the selective approach to design and build, we challenged ourselves to exceed our own ability in finishing instruments, and Laureate was the line that pushed us to do that. It’s an exciting and rewarding line of guitars to play, and offered at a price point we feel is revolutionary. We are proud to present our Laureate series to guitar players everywhere.
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[@robmaclean1878]

Its a joy to watch you guys play and talk about guitars....you can feel the love

[@anthonyward8587]

Excellent sounding guitars, cheers from Oz. :)

[@JakeHansenMusic1996]

Favorite thing y’all have ever played as an intro. Sooo nice!

[@TomBaddley]

Was thinking the same thing. Fantastic intro!

[@cody31]

Wonderful episode! Thank you very much.

[@HayesTech]

I can't wait to get one to review. I'll be saving up some coin for this one. Alvarez never stops innovating and keeps me on my toes. I love it. Sounds like a very good guitar and I think you have another winner.

[@jameywylie4361]

The Laureate series looks amazing! I am a long time Alvarez fan. My first real guitar was an Alvarez RD20sl. I just bought the 2024 AG60Lce and I love it! I like the direction Alvarez has been going the last few years. Would love to see more lefties offered in the line.

[@jbanjo056]

Great video! Looking forward to seeing these in person

[@lhvent]

These guitars look and sound amazing

[@AnkitSingh-vx4dy]

Will you do a Mahogany version of these down the line ?

[@staleyexplores]

Sounds very deep and complex, nice jam.

[@mattnelson8325]

Love my Alvarez guitars. You guys are so much fun to watch.

[@playbandcflat9829]

First, congratulations on your product launch. I enjoy your KZbin discussions & these "looks under the hood" accompanied by your undeniable excitement and passion; that’s refreshing. A request: The choice LR Baggs Hi Fi system, and the decision to go with them vs. pros and cons of others, e.g. K&K and others which may have been in the running… that’d be interesting to hear how that came to fruition and why you feel it pairs best with the Laureate series.

[@JakeHansenMusic1996]

Would LOVE this with the bi level bridge. Would definitely be my next dreadnought. Just bought a new masterworks yesterday

[@burns1017]

I can't wait to hear a demo of the parlour!

[@triples4good]

I purchased a Laureate LP70e and just absolutely love it. I just does everything superbly. My favorite guitar bay mile!

[@scottfishkind5335]

Great to see this new content, really wonderful looking guitars and I look forward to the opportunity to try them in person when I have the opportunity! Looking forward to also hearing more content about the Laureate Series!

[@BurningHearts70]

You sold me, I ordered one. I got a used cracked 60 BG that I repaired. It sounded so good, that I saw the Laureate and had to get one of your best.

[@garytudor4655]

Hi, just wanted to let you know that my LD70 E Morningbreak Sunburst arrived last week and I'm loving it more every day. It is a really well-built guitar. It plays and sounds amazing. Thank you for making such wonderful guitar for the money.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great to hear! Thank you

[@gair1944]

Very sweet sounding jam you guys did! The guitars sound very nice.

[@ICantBelieveItsNotJesus]

Exciting news from Alvarez. They simply don't make a bad guitar.

[@RayLewisPitt]

Love the vid. One part of me says to rush out and get one, the other part slaps myself in the head and reminds me I already have 5 Alvarez guitars and need to diversify a little more. lol. One question for you guys, Do you ever experiment with true temperament fret designs? I have a decent ear, and from the first time I ever touched a guitar, I knew something was wrong with the intonation on every guitar. I could hear it, I could feel it, and it drove me nuts but didn't know why. It wasn't until I studied music and the mathematics behind it that I looked into TT. I ordered my first TT electric from a private luthier, and don't ever want to go back. Perfect intonation on every note in every position. I would love to see more top manufacturers start designing guitars with a TT fret design for perfect intonation to satisfy those of us with a heightened sense of perfection in the notes we play and hear. Thanks guys.

[@architypeone8646]

Very nice! They look and sound great! Looking at the high end appointments on these guitars, for the price they are a good value.

[@jrlopez4341]

I can show you a Alvarez acoustic small body that you guys missed. It is an OEM size maples back inside Spruce stop I’ll be made when the factory was first developed. It’s a rear find.

[@ektalon1]

Nice introduction for the new Laureate line. You don't say where they are made and that is a key piece of info for high-end guitars.

[@rdcoons]

China

[@briguy345]

Production in China allows, for this series, higher quality of materials and construction at a lower price. As long as it's made with good materials and built well, sounds good, I don't care which country it's from

[@Stescaff]

What is the pricing for the Uk please ? I am really liking the look of the new bridge over the bi-level . I have played a few Alvarez masterworks guitars and they are great but just don’t like the bridge so can’t wait to try the laureate.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

We’re not sure yet, but they should be available on GuitarGuitar and Andertons next month!

[@ukaszgawronski6606]

Beautiful guitars! Can you tell me something about guitar binding? Is it also wood or something else?

[@stevebernard221]

What's the chance of getting one in Newfoundland, 🇨🇦 . They seem impressive.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Please reach out to your nearest Alvarez dealer, they’re available in Canada! alvarezguitars.com/dealer-locator/ Hope this helps. 👍

[@Walksomemore]

Okay, so I have been awaiting the arrival of Laureates since NAMM. Dropped by my local shop yesterday to check on availability, and was told they received some Laureates, but all had to be sent back to Alvarez because of bad fretwork. I didn't see the guitars personally but this is a good, higher-end shop that knows what they are talking about.... thoughts?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Sorry to hear this, would you mind contacting us via this link, on our contact form: alvarezguitars.com/contact-us/ and let us know the dealer so we can look into this properly.

[@bobnolin9155]

Just ordered an LD70e. I was hoping you'd talk about the neck shape, traditional or modern, etc?

[@alanhepple8856]

today i have just bought the LF 70 E MODEL NATURAL, TRIED QUITE A FEW GUITARS IN THE STORE , BEST BY A LONG WAY , AGAINST MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE MODELS , AND NOT MENTIONED HERE IS THE CASE ITS FANTASTIC LIGHT STRONG BOMB PROOF

[@cosmonaut9942]

I wish that these guitars were actually available for purchase before a video is posted. I have my eye on the parlor laureate. Unobtainable at this point. Hopefully it will be release soon.

[@TJ-Dives]

Sweetwater has them.

[@azcharlie2009]

@@TJ-Dives They are "available to ship soon"... They do not have them.

[@azcharlie2009]

I stand corrected... They do have some.

[@cosmonaut9942]

@@azcharlie2009 They just landed today at Sweetwater. The one that I want still needs to be acclimated in their warehouse.

[@Red_1956]

All I want to know is does it play good as far as the setup!!

[@mk-wv6yv]

Can't wait to see what is in store for future Laureates. Are there any Laureate Archtops on the horizon? The 12th fret inlay is very cool. Would like to hear some alternate tunings played on these: Open D, DADGAD, Open G, etc.

[@ronchave6354]

Thanks Chris and Dee, what price range are these Laureate guitars going to come in at?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hey @ronchave6354! these comee in at 1399-1449USD.

[@AndreRMeyer]

3:23 👏 Zugabe👏 Zugabe 👏 Zugabe!

[@moconnor20]

any chance you will be adding cutaways to the line?

[@johnwashburn3793]

I have two Alvarez games. One was made in Japan in the late '70s (Alvarez 6043, with a 3 piece back) and an all mahogany parlor from 2022 (with too many numbers and letters to remember). Both are fine but not exceptional. I do look forward to the new model...perhaps an OM this time.

[@josephryan5396]

Any chance of a Laureate series with Mahogany back and sides coming out?

[@tsangpa2570]

I am in love with alvarez though I can't afford one of these 😢😢..

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Watch out for our next givaway!

[@tsangpa2570]

@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial yahoo I'm already dreaming about having it..

[@azcharlie2009]

I am big fan of Alvarez guitars. I have five. Three are Yairis. I've never been a fan of the new bridge Yairi introduced a few years back. It might work good, I don't know. I've never played one. I just can't get used to the look. This Laurete interests me because the bridge is more traditional. I guess sweetwater has a few.

[@chlorine7935]

Will Alvarez be sending the laureate series to larger sellers like guitar center and Sam ash?

[@isadorealire5722]

What sort of glue is used for this line?

[@cosmonaut9942]

Three weeks later, NAMM came and went, yet the Laureate series is still not avialable. Sweetwater still has a few, but most were sold immediately because they had been pre-ordered. Very frustrating. I'm about to buy a Furch instead.

[@jeanblanc5149]

I love your guitars and I am about to buy one, but it is not easy to find it and try it in Madrid (Spain). The few dealers available only have entry-level guitars, and I’m interested in either Masterworks Grand Auditorium, or Artist Elite line. Regarding this line of Laureate, I think it is a pity that you have changed the shape of the bridge, because it is, for me, a sign of identity of your guitars. When you see a musician playing a guitar at a distance you know immediately that it is a guitar of Alvarez just seeing the shape of the bridge. It’s a shame, as I said. It shouldn’t be changed. It’s like imagining Mercedes Benz removing the star! Their cars could be then, in the distance, a KIA or a Fiat! Thank you.

[@christopherstanford5599]

🎵🎶🤗

[@davidvandermolen1687]

No position markers, hmmm

[@ulyssestinoco3719]

Wouldn't the Yairi series be the highest level for Alvarez? The price differs greatly

[@motosportadv8177]

So why not the Bi level bridge? I thought that the Bi Level bridge had its advantages.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

There's nothing special about the masterworks bi level bridge. It's still a one piece. The Alveraz Yairi on the other hand is an actual separate bi level. With the pins going directed into the top.

[@charlie35lc]

@@johnjones-uc3niThen why have they used the bilevel bridge? I feel like this is a move to get rid of it down the road on all Alvarez guitars.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

I've always thought that the one piece bi level bridge on China made Alveraz guitars were more am imitation on looks to the Japan made Alveraz Yairi. The Japan made Alveraz Yairi are not changing. The Laureate series are made in China.

[@franklinsteen4721]

dread top color mismatch- is it 2nd?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hi, thanks for you observation! But no its not a 2nd, like many bookmatched tops the shade of each side can look different, depending on light and angle.

[@peterdavis586]

Where is the mahogany version??

[@alphillips87]

I hope they offer the option to have a tortoise shell pickguard. This looks incomplete to my taste

[@treetopher9342]

So I just bought one and I’m going to say the fit and finish was not that impressive. Swirl finish marks and fine scratches everywhere, and the inside had little bits of wood that should’ve been blown or vacuumed out as well as some kind of dust or dirt covering the sticker label in the sound hole. I wouldn’t brag about that. THAT SAID IT IS THE BEST SOUNDING OM MODEL I’VE EVER PLAYED. Had to shout that last part because it’s more important.