Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

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Shadoweclipse13
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Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Wed May 20, 2020 7:55 pm

Anyone ever try the Alvarez parlor acoustics? I don't see lefty parlor acoustics that often, and usually are very high end ones that are more than I want to spend. One popped up on Reverb, and I'm really tempted, but I've never seen one in person. I know Alvarez in general seem to be fairly well-liked and well-made.

This is the guitar. Price is reasonable if it's decent quality.

Any thoughts?
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by sookwinder » Thu May 21, 2020 6:08 am

I have never played one, but close inspection of the photos and the fact that this is most likely made in China it looks like it was manufactured at the same plant in China that my OOO style parlour acoustic what made in. And it is a superb guitar.
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by Larry Mal » Thu May 21, 2020 6:10 am

Those Alvarez guitars get a lot of good reviews, I'll say that. I had an Alvarez back in the day, it was an entry level model and it served me well.

I think they excel at all the price points they compete in. I've considered buying one of those guitars.
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Thu May 21, 2020 6:56 am

That's great to hear! I'm not super worried where something is made, as long as it's of reasonable quality. I definitely don't want to spend a ton of money either, when electric is more my thing. Just something to noodle with here and there. I was about to pull the trigger last night, and wanted to see what you guy's experience with Alvarez first. You know, opinions of people I know and trust, more than random stranger's reviews.
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by marqueemoon » Thu May 21, 2020 7:11 am

Not sure about that specific model but I’ve played a few of the Alvarez parlor guitars and liked them. You might have to deal with the usual stuff like fret sprout.

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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by wproffitt » Thu May 21, 2020 7:33 am

I have a mid-level Korean made Alvarez dreadnaught From about 14 years ago with a solid top. No fret-sprout or issues of any kind. I’ve never picked up one of their guitars that felt bad, even the super cheap ones. They tend to have a crispness to them and the necks are often on the slender side. On mine, the neck feels more like something you’d find on an electric. This isn’t good or bad, but a matter of preference. I’m sure that the model you showed us will serve you well. To muddy the waters a bit, I think that Simon and Patrick and Eastman also have parlors that are really affordable, too.

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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by somanytoys » Thu May 21, 2020 9:11 am

I don’t know what model it was, but I played with a drummer that had an Alvarez acoustic, and I would play it occasionally waiting on the rest of the guys/gal to arrive. It was really nice - it played very well and sounded great. I don’t think it was a really high end one, either, but it may have been a little older (this was about 15 years ago).

I would give an Alvarez a blind shot, especially a not too expensive one. You can always sell it on if it doesn’t hit your spot.
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by oid » Thu May 21, 2020 1:16 pm

In my previous life fixing guitars I went through a good number of Alvarez both old and new, they were always very consistent on the build quality and do quite well. From a construction standpoint everything but their bottom of the line $150 laminate guitarss were pretty much the same build quality with the price difference between high and low end being mostly things like wood selection, simpler finishes/inlays/bindings, a slightly heavier build, wood left rougher inside the box and cheaper appointments, case, tuners, nut and saddle. Alvarez consistently trounced Gibson and Martin on build quality in the low and mid range instruments and they rarely needed much more than a tuning and truss rod adjustment out of the box, even fret ends were generally good to go. Most people seemed to like the sound quality of these instruments, but they are not sensitive isntruments so are unlike.ly to satisfy the finger picker with a ligh touch or those with a fondness for quiet playing in the early hours, but small bodied parlors are generally better in this regard. It has been a few years since I have dug into a current production Alvarez, but even their guitars of the 70s showed this same consistency and I have heard nothing to suggest this has changed.
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by OffsetUsername » Fri May 22, 2020 7:42 am

I haven't owned one but played a few and they all played pretty well. Only didn't buy one 'cause I didn't absolutely need it otherwise I would have. The one you linked does have a small return window (3 days) so probably worth a shot at the very least.

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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Sat May 23, 2020 5:29 am

Awesome. Thanks everyone!
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Re: Alvarez AP70W Parlor Acoustic

Post by Ted74 » Tue Jun 09, 2020 7:09 pm

I was looking at those.But I bought a dreadnought for a great price.I played Avarez in the old days -70's.But I wanted to try one again.Bought online.Beautiful finish,clean frets,nice setup,strings were even pretty good.And it's damn fun to play.Really fun.I don't have to work like some.It was fun.I'll def buy another Alvarez,maybe a Yari.

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