All solid woods, Ebony fretboard, Ebony bridge, real abalone inlays and a LR Baggs HiFi pickup at this price point makes this probably the best mid-range value guitar, and I would actually classify it as a high-end guitar on spec. They aren't cutting the same corners as you're seeing on Epiphone Inspired By Gibson, Taylor, Martin or even all solid Yamaha's in this price range. Alvarez the underdog, but clear winner and it sounds amazing.
Not sure on this, the Yamaha FS5’s and even AC5’s are made in Japan and I think you would be very hard pressed to demonstrate that these Alvarez are superior. Yamaha pickups and electronics are better.
@@mikearledge5909 LR Baggs and FIshman jointly are the standard for high-end electronics in acoustic guitars. The HiFi is not just some cheap option like what Fishman does with imports and their Sonitone, the HiFi is the premium option. So I strongly disagree with your assessment that Yamaha has superior electronics and would argue very few would agree with you on that. As for the rest, the FS5 has nice specs, but the inlays are synthetic also a big innovation with these new Alavarez guitars is the ultra light finish, as you know the finish on a guitar can greatly impact tone as research has proven studying what make some century old violins distinct from their less desired counterparts... Yamaha has not cracked that nut yet, they are still using rather thick polyurethane finishes at least on the all-solid sub $1k L series. But of course the proof is in the tone, listen to the unplugged tone demos of these new Alavarez guitars vs Yamaha's in this $800-$1200 price range, what I'm hearing out of these Alvarez models is truly jaw dropping for the price price. For $1200 I'm hearing tone that closer on par with what Yamaha is charging $4000 for (LL56). I think anyone with acclimated ears will hear the same nuanced accomplishment. Well done Alavarez!
@@mikearledge5909 I own the LF70e and the LRB HIFI is actually a pretty decent pickup but I would agree that the 3 source Atmosfeel is superior. I’ve owned both an LS16 and an FSX5 and while I wouldn’t say superior to the red label FSX5, it’s not far off. Better guitar than an LS16 but also reflected in the price
Recently bought a used Alvarez Masterworks MD-60bge and it's such a great guitar...amazing playability and tone for $600...Alvarez is really doing great things these days....
I got the LF70e (the OM sized version of this) and really, really love it. Great guitar for the money. They're competing with the Martin Road Series 13E's and Taylor 200 Plus-series in terms of price, but have solid back and sides instead of veneers and nicer pickups if you need them. The case is really sturdy and nice too. Hard to beat.
This new laureate dreadnought is an absolute cannon. So loud. Played one in central Illinois a few weeks ago. Ended up going with another Alvarez for now. Mda66shb masterworks. I like darker or sunburst finishes but those new laureates are the real deal. Fantastic guitars. Great playing as always Cooper
I have two Alvarez Masterwork series guitars. Alvarez is not only great value for money, this is a great music value. Solid , high quality wood on top and back and sides , bone nuts, ebony pins with mother of pearl, and ebony tuner buttons. Purfling of body with abalone. Fingerboard 12th fret and guitar headstock with abalone inlays. Great built quality and I bought them for 350 USD of each. Soft case is included for both. Luxury? Of course! For fraction of the cost.
Nice demonstration of a fine looking and sounding guitar especially at its reasonable price point. I would be curious to hear a 000 version if they offer one. Alvarez is one of those brands that seem to fly below the radar but as you've recently shown there's some serious quality offered under that name. Thanks for the demo.
Got the LF70e OM for 3 months now. I've sent it to my Luthier. The fret leveling was bad so he did the job. It was the only problem with this guitar. I'm so happy with this purchase. The sound is fantastic! I prefer it over my 314ce. The only guitar I've tried which impressed me more was the Martin 00028MD. I've tried tons guitars between taylor martin gibson yamaha and the Alvarez is top tier
So glad to see you featuring Alvarez Laureate. St. Louis Music Co./ Alvarez / Alvarez Yairi is a fabulously storied history every guitar geek should know. Please review their parlor Laureate. International / US makers leveraging the Chinese labor arbitrage in guitar making is a major staying power of this golden age of acoustic guitars. Premium components paired with deep knowledge transfer is just the beginning, me thinks. Soon enough continued-lightening innovations; bespoke AI-cymatic sound boards, then with AI-architected wood/composite braces, then then then. We'll surpass Stradivari, if some haven't already.
I own the OM sized LF70e DB. Great guitars and good value as an alternative to say a 000-28. I will say that they, like many other guitars coming from overseas really benefit from a proper setup to make them shine! 👍🏼
@@begelston I’m not suggesting the Alvarez is better than the Martin as they are different. Can’t replicate the Martin tone but my comment was to point out that they are great guitars and an excellent value for a spruce/rosewood OM. Money, no consideration, I would probably still go Martin or perhaps Furch Yellow OM
Yah, just ordered one, and I have other more expensive ones, but the sound and quality for the money, you can’t beat it. I had to order from Sweetwater because you guys are always low on inventory, not a criticism, just maybe you sell allot. Great playing as always, watch your channel for yrs now. I was going to order the Yari, back ordered and I’m spending too much on guitars since my main instrument is percussion and I also have a room full .. My guitars are the 00017 Martin, the builders addition 517e on Taylor, a numbered 31 out of 50 Cole Clark, a OO something Lureeve and my trusty original Seagull which sounds awesome, better than my 00017, but it’s old. Cheers…
Alvarez are killing it recently. I'd love one of those for sure but I just bought an Alvarez MD70bg in August and I don't need any more guitars. Right? Riiiight??? 😊 This guitar just demolished the big brands in a blindfold challenge on the Andertons youtube channel.
I played this model recently. Simply put you won't improve on it, or you might just for a lot more money - and you'd probably be buying a Yairi. Alvarez's Chris Meikle has ensured the brand can compete with the very best. OK built in China, which may be an issue for some, but the quality is absolutely top class and the tone speaks for itself.
Please can someone make a laureate vs d-28 or an HD-28 (for the bracing I mean) and let this guitar battle and make probably hundreds of us happy and can hear a Martin vs Alvarez
So cool, never met an Alvarez I didn't like. Solid woods are a plus, definitely! From China is the deal breaker for me at this price point. They could have done better elsewhere. That is just my opinion
Hello Cooper, greetings from Colombia. Hey, say hello to Cris, I have long hair and you are my inspiration on the guitar. I like to see the reviews of high-end guitars that you present on the channel. I would like to one day own a Yamaha FG800 but that guitar is not available here. Colombia well I don't have the financial resources to buy one, I would like to be able to tell you to sell me a guitar but I don't have the way to pay for it. I like to see the riffs you do in tests and I have tried to follow them, tell me where I can send you a video of what I have learned with you. Greetings and success.
I have several USA made guitars that cost over $3,000... love them! But, I am quite aware that many people cannot afford that much for a guitar. I am glad that you can afford USA made guitars, but no need to trash people that can't. Remember, the music is most important. Keep strumming! P.S. the ONLY standard scale length 8 string acoustic available is the Alvarez GA 8 string, so I bought one for $599, with Baggs Element pickup, to test if I wanted to order a custom instrument. It sounds and plays great, and I have taken it on stage many times!
@nicholascowie5944 I have toured the Eastman factory in Beijing. I encountered craftsmen who had worked there for 10+ years. These men and women were rightfully proud of the guitars, mandolins and cellos I watched them building. Eastman guitars are superb, and the owner is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. This is not a CNC factory... the only machinery I saw a few drill presses, and sanding / buffing wheels. Keep strumming!
All solid woods, Ebony fretboard, Ebony bridge, real abalone inlays and a LR Baggs HiFi pickup at this price point makes this probably the best mid-range value guitar, and I would actually classify it as a high-end guitar on spec. They aren't cutting the same corners as you're seeing on Epiphone Inspired By Gibson, Taylor, Martin or even all solid Yamaha's in this price range. Alvarez the underdog, but clear winner and it sounds amazing.
Not sure on this, the Yamaha FS5’s and even AC5’s are made in Japan and I think you would be very hard pressed to demonstrate that these Alvarez are superior. Yamaha pickups and electronics are better.
@@mikearledge5909 LR Baggs and FIshman jointly are the standard for high-end electronics in acoustic guitars. The HiFi is not just some cheap option like what Fishman does with imports and their Sonitone, the HiFi is the premium option. So I strongly disagree with your assessment that Yamaha has superior electronics and would argue very few would agree with you on that. As for the rest, the FS5 has nice specs, but the inlays are synthetic also a big innovation with these new Alavarez guitars is the ultra light finish, as you know the finish on a guitar can greatly impact tone as research has proven studying what make some century old violins distinct from their less desired counterparts... Yamaha has not cracked that nut yet, they are still using rather thick polyurethane finishes at least on the all-solid sub $1k L series. But of course the proof is in the tone, listen to the unplugged tone demos of these new Alavarez guitars vs Yamaha's in this $800-$1200 price range, what I'm hearing out of these Alvarez models is truly jaw dropping for the price price. For $1200 I'm hearing tone that closer on par with what Yamaha is charging $4000 for (LL56). I think anyone with acclimated ears will hear the same nuanced accomplishment. Well done Alavarez!
@@mikearledge5909 I own the LF70e and the LRB HIFI is actually a pretty decent pickup but I would agree that the 3 source Atmosfeel is superior. I’ve owned both an LS16 and an FSX5 and while I wouldn’t say superior to the red label FSX5, it’s not far off. Better guitar than an LS16 but also reflected in the price
@@jeffberdin totally fair, its horses for courses between these models I think
That new Daybreak color is cool.
Fab guitar. Great value for money when you consider the component parts. Well played, too, Cooper. 🎸😊
Recently bought a used Alvarez Masterworks MD-60bge and it's such a great guitar...amazing playability and tone for $600...Alvarez is really doing great things these days....
I got the LF70e (the OM sized version of this) and really, really love it. Great guitar for the money. They're competing with the Martin Road Series 13E's and Taylor 200 Plus-series in terms of price, but have solid back and sides instead of veneers and nicer pickups if you need them. The case is really sturdy and nice too. Hard to beat.
This new laureate dreadnought is an absolute cannon. So loud. Played one in central Illinois a few weeks ago. Ended up going with another Alvarez for now. Mda66shb masterworks. I like darker or sunburst finishes but those new laureates are the real deal. Fantastic guitars. Great playing as always Cooper
I have two Alvarez Masterwork series guitars. Alvarez is not only great value for money, this is a great music value. Solid , high quality wood on top and back and sides , bone nuts, ebony pins with mother of pearl, and ebony tuner buttons. Purfling of body with abalone. Fingerboard 12th fret and guitar headstock with abalone inlays. Great built quality and I bought them for 350 USD of each. Soft case is included for both. Luxury? Of course! For fraction of the cost.
Nice demonstration of a fine looking and sounding guitar especially at its reasonable price point. I would be curious to hear a 000 version if they offer one. Alvarez is one of those brands that seem to fly below the radar but as you've recently shown there's some serious quality offered under that name. Thanks for the demo.
Got the LF70e OM for 3 months now. I've sent it to my Luthier. The fret leveling was bad so he did the job. It was the only problem with this guitar. I'm so happy with this purchase. The sound is fantastic! I prefer it over my 314ce. The only guitar I've tried which impressed me more was the Martin 00028MD. I've tried tons guitars between taylor martin gibson yamaha and the Alvarez is top tier
So glad to see you featuring Alvarez Laureate. St. Louis Music Co./ Alvarez / Alvarez Yairi is a fabulously storied history every guitar geek should know. Please review their parlor Laureate. International / US makers leveraging the Chinese labor arbitrage in guitar making is a major staying power of this golden age of acoustic guitars. Premium components paired with deep knowledge transfer is just the beginning, me thinks. Soon enough continued-lightening innovations; bespoke AI-cymatic sound boards, then with AI-architected wood/composite braces, then then then. We'll surpass Stradivari, if some haven't already.
I own the OM sized LF70e DB. Great guitars and good value as an alternative to say a 000-28. I will say that they, like many other guitars coming from overseas really benefit from a proper setup to make them shine! 👍🏼
I was considering the OM. If money wasn't a consideration, would you still choose the Alvarez (after the setup of course) over a Martin 000-28 ?
@@begelston I’m not suggesting the Alvarez is better than the Martin as they are different. Can’t replicate the Martin tone but my comment was to point out that they are great guitars and an excellent value for a spruce/rosewood OM. Money, no consideration, I would probably still go Martin or perhaps Furch Yellow OM
Sounds great! Alvarez is really hitting it out of the park these days.
Yah, just ordered one, and I have other more expensive ones, but the sound and quality for the money, you can’t beat it. I had to order from Sweetwater because you guys are always low on inventory, not a criticism, just maybe you sell allot. Great playing as always, watch your channel for yrs now. I was going to order the Yari, back ordered and I’m spending too much on guitars since my main instrument is percussion and I also have a room full ..
My guitars are the 00017 Martin, the builders addition 517e on Taylor, a numbered 31 out of 50 Cole Clark, a OO something Lureeve and my trusty original Seagull which sounds awesome, better than my 00017, but it’s old. Cheers…
Well played nice sounding guitar.
Alvarez are killing it recently. I'd love one of those for sure but I just bought an Alvarez MD70bg in August and I don't need any more guitars. Right? Riiiight??? 😊
This guitar just demolished the big brands in a blindfold challenge on the Andertons youtube channel.
How does this compare to the Yamaha FG5 in terms of sustain across the whole fingerboard?
I want to know what to learn in order to be able to play like cooper
I like it, does it come with a decent hard shell case , and I would love to hear it as a 12 string
I played this model recently. Simply put you won't improve on it, or you might just for a lot more money - and you'd probably be buying a Yairi. Alvarez's Chris Meikle has ensured the brand can compete with the very best. OK built in China, which may be an issue for some, but the quality is absolutely top class and the tone speaks for itself.
Cooper "there you have it" Greenberg.
Thanks, and other nice things
Note that all Laureates come with electronics.
I'd like to personally test whether the LD70E sounds any better than the Alvarez Masterworks MD70.
Please can someone make a laureate vs d-28 or an HD-28 (for the bracing I mean) and let this guitar battle and make probably hundreds of us happy and can hear a Martin vs Alvarez
So cool, never met an Alvarez I didn't like. Solid woods are a plus, definitely! From China is the deal breaker for me at this price point. They could have done better elsewhere. That is just my opinion
Hello Cooper, greetings from Colombia. Hey, say hello to Cris, I have long hair and you are my inspiration on the guitar. I like to see the reviews of high-end guitars that you present on the channel. I would like to one day own a Yamaha FG800 but that guitar is not available here. Colombia well I don't have the financial resources to buy one, I would like to be able to tell you to sell me a guitar but I don't have the way to pay for it. I like to see the riffs you do in tests and I have tried to follow them, tell me where I can send you a video of what I have learned with you. Greetings and success.
What a coincidence. I had just mentioned the LD70E in the comments in your last video.
Alamo Music, you don’t have to live in San Antonio to buy Alamo Music amazing guitars
The a is not pronounced in Yairi. It is properly pronounced as Yiri.. YIREE. Yeye-Ree
First!
sounds thin and too glossy
I will NEVER buy a guitar made in China. PERIOD. EVER.
I have several USA made guitars that cost over $3,000... love them! But, I am quite aware that many people cannot afford that much for a guitar. I am glad that you can afford USA made guitars, but no need to trash people that can't. Remember, the music is most important. Keep strumming!
P.S. the ONLY standard scale length 8 string acoustic available is the Alvarez GA 8 string, so I bought one for $599, with Baggs Element pickup, to test if I wanted to order a custom instrument. It sounds and plays great, and I have taken it on stage many times!
I'm more interested in the skill of the worker than their nationality. I'm sure they'd slot in just fine in Nazareth or El Cajon
@nicholascowie5944 I have toured the Eastman factory in Beijing. I encountered craftsmen who had worked there for 10+ years. These men and women were rightfully proud of the guitars, mandolins and cellos I watched them building. Eastman guitars are superb, and the owner is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. This is not a CNC factory... the only machinery I saw a few drill presses, and sanding / buffing wheels. Keep strumming!