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I bought an Alvarez parlor guitar that had a solid mahogany face. The sustain was crazy (could run my pick across all six strings and the sound went on indefinitely). Was so impressed that I wanted to delve into the masterworks series and so got this guitar. I have to say, I enjoy playing my rosewood guitars, but that is a whole different (and wonderful) experience. This guitar is very articulate in the mid range, but without a significant loss of highs or lows. I am a dreadnaught guy, but thought I would try something a bit smaller to play standing up with a shoulder strap. This guitar fits the bill nicely. BTW, loved the deal with the free ukulele. It is much more impressive in person and almost seems like a min-parlor guitar with nylon strings. My wife has small hands and cannot finger a traditional fretboard. I am going to give her the ukulele for her birthday.

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This guitar is fantastic! Sounds great fingerstyle and strums well also. Very comfortable to play. Small body with a big sound. Construction and finish are Amazing! The case is stylish leather and tweed with a pewter Alvarez name plate. Case locks and is really nice. My experience with zZounds was great also. My items arrived in Two days as promised. Love the no hassle 6 month payment plan too. Do yourself a favor and get one of these. After months of videos and reading review, I knew right out of the box I made the right decision. Thanks zZounds!

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With the new bracing system, this guitar sounds wonderful. Every note is a pleasure and every chord is a melting pot of buttery combinations! Every component selected in the making of this guitar couldn't have been chosen any better. I am very happy with the feeling of the ash wood bridge and neck. I also enjoy having acacia wood wrapped around the guitar! The neck, seemingly hand-carved, feels wonderful too! The abalone reflections make this guitar look like a collectible. The quality is excellent! The bridge was glued properly all the way out to the edges, and there are no gaps in the neck heel area, The included case is very nice, and the guitar feels like I can sling it around for several decades. St.Louis customer service was very informative. At this price choosing between solid tonewoods or martin's laminate tubby sounding guitars, the choice becomes obvious. This guitar has that haunting characteristic to it. The pictures don't capture the abalone reflection or woods chatoyancy.

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I ordered this from zZounds without having seen one in person. I had played Martins and Taylors at my local music store but didn't want to spend that kind of money. I ordered the guitar on a Monday and received it the very next morning, even with free shipping. The guitar came with a very nice hardshell case and a stick-on black pickguard. I installed the pickguard but preferred the look without it so I removed it and traced the shape onto a piece of clear plastic I had (the type that goes on cars) and installed that. Can barely see it and it provides the same protection. The action was just right and the intonation perfect. I really like the size and shape of the neck. I've got fairly large hands and there's enough meat to it but I don't think it would be an issue for someone with smaller hands. The sound is great with good note clarity and it's not too boomy sounding. My only criticism is the finish on the body which is very glossy in person and shows fingerprints very quickly. I'd prefer a more matte finish. Interestingly the neck finish is more matte and feels great. Overall I would say this guitar easily competes with the low-mid level Martins and Taylors at a fraction of the price. The only caveat being it's made in China. If I could afford it, I'd have bought an American guitar as I would prefer to support our economy.

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Just received this today. Beautiful guitar with a great tone. I bought this because it was all solid mahogany. I like balanced tone of an all mahogany guitar and also own a 1951 Martin 00-17 and a 1999 Martin OM-15. The sound compares favorable with both of the Martins. I also wanted a short scale guitar and your talking over $2k for a Martin with similar specs. The workmanship is flawless both inside and out. If your a fan of mahogany, this offers great bang for the buck.

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I just got this guitar last week. My initial impressions are that it is likely the best value in acoustic guitars PERIOD. All solid mahogany, the binding and inlays are beautiful. It sounds AMAZING. My last two guitars were a Martin D-10e I purchased here, and a Taylor GA-4 I bought used on Reverb. I truly like this one better than both of those. The only thing I don’t love is the shape of the bridge, but that’s nit picking. This is a quality guitar. The fit and finish is as nice as both of my previous guitars. For $629 I don’t think you can buy a nicer guitar. It is built in China, it doesn’t look like a cheap guitar at all. The gig bag is nicer that both the Taylor hard bag, and the Martin fog bag that comes with the D-10. Its the hard sided thick foam type. Very nice. When I sold my Martin I expected that this Alvarez would be a step back, but it is not. It’s as nice if not nicer than my D-10. I’m so impressed that when I go to look for my dream acoustic, I’ll be looking at an Alvarez Yairi along with the others. You can’t go wrong with this guitar.

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If you want a guitar that gives you a truly full tone with a lot of heart for $599 you’ll love this guitar. And yes the fingering around the neck is easy. Part of the work being done is going room to room doing music for in nursing homes. The size of this guitar makes that easy . Delivery was made in 24 hours. Thank you zZounds

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This guitar has all the specs I was looking for. This is my third Alvarez and I knew it would be a fine guitar, as I have had nothing but great experiences with the masterworks series. All mahogany, beautiful mids, with a nice bass response that is not overbearing, highs that are round and silky. Super comfortable to play. The 24 13/16” scale, with the smooth satin feel of the neck are great. The tuners look nice but have a little more play in them than I prefer. That’s my only critique, and it is minor. The finish is stunning, as are the subtle touches of bling, i.e. the abalone inlay around the body and sound hole. Absolutely beautiful. This is a pure player’s guitar, with a lot of class. I am very happy with this purchase. Thank you, Alvarez, and zZounds.

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After owning and playing many acoustics this guitar feels right at home too me. Has great vocal tone and projects nicely. A great bank for the buck.

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Alvarez made a true masterpiece for this price! I have been playing 20 years, and owned a lot of different guitars. This is my favorite! Great sustain, a brilliant shimmer tone with enough low to balance it out. My 1st mahogany guitar I am very pleased! Also the pictures do not do it justice, it is absolutely stunning. If you want a professional all solid mahogany acoustic this is the best in my opinion. Twice the guitar for the price!

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I have a 19yr old Taylor dred and this beautiful Alvarez fits in nicely. With my Taylor I have bright and loud,the Alvarez warm and good for finger picking for the price you cannot beat it.I went by the other reviews and purchased this and I love it!!! Highly recommend!!! Yes the fingerprints show up but that is a small price to pay!!!

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Hello , a very nice guitar, it has a nice warm sound with a warm tone that has depth. In many ways the sound you want is up to you . I personally put silk folk strings on the guitar to bring out a warm sound yet with a lot of feels. I will say this if you’d like a guitar with a lot of heart for $599.00 don’t hold back .

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