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The flatpicked guitar reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
161 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Browns Music, Connellsville, PA
Year Purchased: 1967
Price Paid: $50.00 ($US)
Nice sound for a $50 guitar- This is a classical guitar- got as a gift in 1967, but I put an under saddle pickup on it and flatpick it [ like Willy ] Not loud but you can hear it. Under saddle pickup installed later works well into an amp or PA system.
Sound Rating: 7
Good- I has some work done on the intonation and string height in the 1980s- but still fine.
Setup Rating: 7
Made in Japan, Classical looks- headstock looks pieced together from three pieces of wood. Spruce top- Rosewood back and sides-Cedar neck-- it seems solid wood
Appearance Rating: 6
I've been playing this since 1967- only one fixup and one upgrade- plays fine. Amped it sounds fine- nice jazzy sound. It has held up well for 50 years- one of the reasons I've posted this review.
Reliability Rating: 8
Don;t know- never tried- Aria still in business- as importer- who actually makes these things is a wild tale.
Customer Service: 3
Spruce top, rosewood back and sides- mahog.[?] neck- headstock made from pieces but firm- hardware still good and never changed. Finish good and glossy- decal on sound hole and headstock. Came with cheap chipboard case-[updated to HSC in 2000]
Components Rating: 7
ALTHOUGH NOT ACTUALLY A GUITAR FOR FLATPICKING- THIS IS A FINE FLATPICKED INSTRUMENT- TYPICAL CLASSICAL SIZE AND STYLING. FLATPICKED IT SOUNDS JUST FINE. I USE IT MOSTLY AS A JAZZ GUITAR. I LIKE THE CLASSICAL WIDE FINGERBOARD BUT WITH A FLATPICK. THE UNDER SADDLE PICKUP WORKS FINE BUT I REALLY COULD USE A OUTBOARD PREAMP. RIGHT NOW I USE AN OLD EQ BOX AND REVERB UNIT. I PUT CLEAR STICKY PICKGUARDS ON IT [ DON'T WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE 'TRIGGER'] THEY HAVE HELD UP VERY WELL OVER THE YEARS- GOT A NEW GOOD HARD SHELL CASE FOR IT TO- THE CHIPBOARD ONE DIED YEARS AGO. THIS WAS A CHEAP IMPORT BACK THEN [ HAY EVEN IN 1967 $50 WAS A CHEAP GUITAR] BUT IT HAS HELD UP VERY WELL AND I LIKE THE SOUND.
Overall Rating: 7
Where Purchased: Guitar Gallery, Canonsburg, PA
MARTIN'S NEW MONTEL RETRO STRINGS. I BOUGHT A CHEAPER ALVAREZ GUITAR [ARD-70 12 FRET] AND SINCE IT WAS A RETRO GUITAR- I TRIED THE NEW VERSION OF MARTIN'S RETRO STRINGS. WHAT A DIFFERENCE THEY MADE- BIG.BASSEY, BOOMEY- THEY MADE THE GUITAR SOUND LIKE ONE AT A MUCH HIGHER PRICE. I CHOSE THE LIGHTS [12-54- THEY MAKE THREE OTHER SIZES FOR 6 STRING GUITAR] I DIDN'T WANT TO OVERSTRESS THE GUITAR.THEY WERE SO GOOD I GOT ANOTHER SET [ SAME LIGHTS] FOR MY HAND MADE DREADNAUGHT. THEY ALSO SOUNDED GREAT- BIGGER- BOOMEY;.I HAD PHOSPHER BRONZE LIGHTS ON BEFORE [ MARTINS] BUT THESE MONTEL WERE SO MUCH BIGGER. IF YOUR GUITAR SOUNDS A LITTLE WEAK- I RECOMMEND THESE STRINGS HIGHLY.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Guitar Gallery, Canonsburg, PA
Year Purchased: 2017
Price Paid: $350+ $50 for a ex. large case to fit it
historic exchange rates / currency converter
12 fret Slope Shouldered slot-headed Dreadnought. Big Boomy sound. I changed strings to Martin montel
retro and it sounded even more retro and boomy
Sound Rating: 8
Setup was shakey- strings rattled. I took it back for a store tuneup. They did a GREAT JOB. No buzzes or rattles. I may take it back to lower action- its a TAD high for me. If you get an experienced set up guy-its usually no problem. Imported guitars need a good set up to sound ok. I had to return it to lower sting height and a new set up- now much better.
Setup Rating: 7
Slot head slope shouldered 12 fret Dreadnought. Spruce top [matchbooked pieces] Rosewood laminated [dont know what kind] back and sides.-mog neck and head- no faceplate. Its a Chinese import but the fit and finish were very good. Very striking looking guitar. Its a BIG guitar. Slope shouldered - too big for my regular dread cases.
Appearance Rating: 9
Seems substantial. Time will tell. I have another imported guitar and old Aria classical import from the 60s- It still plays well and looks fine, but that was Japanese not Chinese. Its BIG. They had find a case to fit it. Imports are getting better but are always ??? after a bit. Chinese imports are cheap $$ but will they last?
Reliability Rating: 7
At GG they offer in store luthery. Very good. Experienced workmen. I haven't had a cause to contact Alvarez ;yet [ i hope never] so I don't know about anything except the online reg.
Customer Service: 8
Tuners are iffy. With a slot head they are through the head [like a classical guitar only thinner] If something goes it will be these. Top [Spruce] seems nice for an import. Rosewood back and sides look sturdy. Mogh. neck is big and looks tough. Not solid but laminated woods I think.
Components Rating: 8
I've had guitar problems for a while. I play in a bluegrass band and need a BIG bluegrass guitar. OK that is NOT a Martin [D-18/28] but being retired I really don't have the $$ for a new Dread [ Martin has reissued its own slope shouldered model in 12 fret for about $5,500]- but the Alvarez is really NOT Martin quality. Chinese instruments vary greatly in quality from instrument to instrument My daughter has an Alvarez-Yairi Dread.[made in Japan quality made] VERY nice guitar. I have a hand built Dread [ made my a friend of mine] for most gigs. But for weekly jams I wanted a boomer and something different. A 12 fret guitar seems to fit the need. Imports are about $300-400. A Yairi is $2000+, a Collings or Martin= $5000+. This seemed a fun choice. It has the style I want with a price I can live with. Import guitars are NOT hand made Martins by any standard. But I've seen a few good ones in my time and I'm hoping this will be one. Usually Chinese made- low price guitars vary greatly in quality- from VERY bad- to NOT so bad. but let us be real-- it's not a Martin or Gibson.
Overall Rating: 7
Where Purchased: CA House, St Clairsville, OH
Year Purchased: 2001
Price Paid: 1000
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Great big booming sound, Dreadnaught style, Martin Like bass side-
Sound Rating: 10
From CA House[St. Clairsville, OH] setup was good- no changes made
Setup Rating: 10
Striking looking guitar, Cedar top [ not spruce] so it looks a little reddish, Mago, back ,sides and neck. Everyone wants to know what it is. Clear pickguard. silver chrome hardware, regular bridge [ not the in top only bridge on most high end Alvarezes.]
Appearance Rating: 8
Very well made, hand made by K. Yarai in Japan from 1998-99- then discontinued. Cedar top is a bit delicate, Clear pickguard shows off the entire top. You have to watch the top for climate [hot/cold] conditions. Its not a beater.
Reliability Rating: 9
I never had a problem
Customer Service: 9
Cedar top makes for a great sound, but its not as durable as spruce. Everything else is 1st class
Components Rating: 9
Great sounding guitar. I use it mostly for bluegrass [ it has that Martin like BASS sound] Very easy to play. Even down the neck. Nice case.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
I was taking a guitar class at Davis & Elkins {Augusta] and a woman sitting next to me had a Blue Chip Guitar Pick. I said "they cant be as good at $35 each". She said her husband bought her two picks, " would I like to try one for the afternoon" I said sure, but I still couldn't justify the price. So I used the borrowed pick that afternoon. WAS I WRONG! Best guitar pick I've ever used and I've been playing for about 50 years. When I got home I called JDM and ordered one. IF i lost it- i would order more. $35/40 is cheap for this product.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: gift
Year Purchased: 1959/60
Price Paid: gift (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Great little guitar- It was a gift to our bluegrass club. Ladder braced but a clean bright sound - and pretty loud at that. [ no D-28 loud ]
Sound Rating: 9
It was the original 1959/60 setup. Just new light strings. I had heavys on it but the light work much better. It needed some new bridge pins- the insert holes were reamed out by the old ones so i had to order a larger size.
Setup Rating: 7
Good for a well used 60;s guitar..Some nicks and bumps. a few scratches- i dropped it and put a small crack in the top, but its not that bad. Good rubbed finish- black fade to sunburst [ very dark sunburst]
Appearance Rating: 6
Hardware good. Keys and tuners all orig. New bridge pins. Frets are good, does not need a fret job after 50 yrs. Really fun to play. I had an inner brace come undone. I had to send it out to a specialist to get fixed. Did nice job. Plays well now. BUT it is now about 60 yrs old
Reliability Rating: 8
I emailed Gibson for a restoration price-it was $2300. So for now- it will stay in its present [very playable] condition. Nice guys down there- very prompt answers. If i ever get $3k to restore it I may.,
Customer Service: 8
Latter bracing on the LG-1. the LG-2 is X braced. Wood's good, Mahogany back and sides. Spruce top. Mahognay neck. Old wooden case was trashed so I got a new one. Hardware has that patina of old age. AND it smells like an old Gibson.
Components Rating: 7
I have other guitars I use on stage with my high school bluegrass band, but this one I only used for practice sessions. My big guitar was in the shop for neck work, so I cleaned this one up. New light strings, replacing the old heavys [ what i lost in volume I got back in tone] Now I just use this- IT has that "Gibson sound" . I would like a J-45 [but cant afford one]. Gibson;s sound 'country', not really that Martin bluegrass sound. [ big and BASSY] it's a more balanced sound. I have Guild a-25 [1990's] and its a small guitar. I tried to use it for bluegrass but it wouldn't carry the sound. The Gibson does- We only use stage mikes [Shure 57s] no pickups. And it carries well. Live unamplilfed it sounds just as good. NICE old guitar they don't make anymore.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: From Luthier who made it
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Really great big bluegrass sound. Lots of bass/rich & full. No electronics-- just a big 'MARTIN D-18" like sound. Up the neck its a bit weak- the higher you go the more indistinct sound it has.
Sound Rating: 7
Was hand made and set up by luthier: Bob Talkington of Moundsville, WV [ Grave Creek Guitars]. Sounded good when I picked it up. No changes made
Setup Rating: 10
Beautiful guitar. All mahogany back/sides/neck. Spruce top. Great finish. This is his most basic model and it is something to look at. Hand picked wood, great hardware, expert hand crafting. Nice headstock and inlay
Appearance Rating: 10
Bob gives a lifetime warrenty.. "if I'm alive, I'll fix it ! Very well made. Heavy [in the best sense of the word]. Yes, I will use it without a backup. But time will tell. I have a mandolin built by Bob and it has held up very well over the last 10 years.
Reliability Rating: 7
see above. Just call him.
Customer Service: 9
Beautiful fit and finish. Hand fitted everything. Bob is quite the artist in this respect. A completely hand made [in the usa sense] at an import price.
Components Rating: 8
Beautiful, plain, simple and elegant--but this is his most basic model. He has many others that outshine [ but maybe not out-sound] this one- in a variety of woods and finishes.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: CA House Music, St Clairsville, OH
Year Purchased: 2000
Price Paid: 400 ($US) (bought USED)
It sounds great. NOT really loud, the A-25 is a small bodied guitar [like a Martin 00] but it has that Guild even balance over the strings.
Sound Rating: 9
When i got it it was owned for a few months by a guy who wanted a fingerpicker, this guitar is not that, flatpicked it was set up prefectly, I never touched a setting. GREAT action.
Setup Rating: 9
LOVE the classic Guild look [ only smaller] Rosewood tailpiece and fingerboard [ the A-50 an even rare model has ebony] Full GLOSS finish. workmanship made in America, fit and finish 100%.
Appearance Rating: 10
I've had it since 2000 -it was almost new when I got it, it has some small wear spots on the neck by the nut, that had to be refinished [ but with some heavy use] other than the dings I put into it, its still 100%, I never had to fix or even change anything but the strings.
Reliability Rating: 10
The orig. Guild went out of business, Fender now imports Guilds, I never had to contact them but Fender I have, and they have been pretty good about things. So I'm guessing that the CS will be ok.
Customer Service: 7
No weak parts. Great tuners [gold plated] Mahogany with spruce top, Rosewood fretboard and tail. Face plate on neck with Guild logo matches the rosewook. Its a joy.
Components Rating: 10
For what I paid [$400 and the Guild HS case was worth $100] it was a steal. Its not a dreadnaught by any means. I play bluegrass and its a bit thin in a jam [ no pickups installed ] but when you get to the mike it sings.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Flea market
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 150 ($US) (bought USED)
It sounds pretty good. It's a weird model. Its a lot like a Martin Sigma Dreadnaught [ in fact almost identical ] BIG booming sound, Sounds like a "D"
Sound Rating: 7
Setup was good [ for a flea-marketer] it rattles a bit up the neck around 12/14 and I've been working on that.
Setup Rating: 6
Looks good, It looks like a copy of a Martin D-35/D-42,[ the regular Sigma is more like a D-18] Mother of somthing inlay all over the neck and headstock. Spruce top [solid], Magohany back and sides -bookmatched. Gold plated hardware. Fit and finish were great, Nice high gloss finish.
Appearance Rating: 8
Dont know, Martin bought Goya and started to make these in Korea with the Gibson type-- 335 model number? I've never seen another, Its very solid and Sigma like.
Reliability Rating: 7
Who knows? Does Martin even recoginize this model? Martin's CS is GREAT but this? And from a flea-market? 50/50. Its not made anymore [ why make 2 sigmas?] I'm not sure why they made this model.
Customer Service: 5
Wood is good, inlay work is very good, tuners are asian fair quality, gold plating is thin. Wood workmanship is very good and its a very solid import guitar. GREAT beater. BIG neck, baseball bat thick.
Components Rating: 8
When my daughter said she was buying a Martin from a flea-market I cringed. but its a nice import guitar. People [esp, Martin people] just stare at it - its so Martin like but says Goya on the faceplate and made by Martin on the inside label . No real case- I had to buy a good one. IF stolen where would I get another? The guy wanted $200 but we got this for 150. Used Sigmas go for around that and more, so it was a pretty good deal. Made in early 90s. I think.
Overall Rating: 7
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