You'll probably hate me for asking this.....

[czech]

mf80 looks weird to me.

[Reckless]

In the alvarez line Im considering the MF80c, which has solid spruce top and solid mahogany back/sides....I'm also considering the PF90S, which has a solid spruce top with a solid rosewood back but laminate rosewood sides. I know that its important to play a ton of guitars (I already have and will continue to) but i wanted to know what you all think of the wood differences on these two. Both of these models are grand concert sized, but I still want a guitar that can project well. With that said, will the rosewood back/lami sides still project more than the full mahogany? And one last question....how much do laminate sides detract from the overall sound? Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it!

I have the AD80S. When I was looking to buy, I had it narrowed down to either the PF80S or the AD80S ( I believe both are lami sides ). In the end, I chose the AD80S for it's deeper fuller sound. I was surprised because I always considered the P-series to be better than the A-series, but in that particular case, the AD80 was way better than the PF80. As for the sound, I think my guitar sounds amazing. Absolutely no regrets.

[cberner27]

Does the AD80S have electronics on board though? I couldnt find it on the alvarez website....I'm only looking for something with electronics though, as I need it for live playing situations here on my college campus and around the city.

[czech]

i'd still really consider that larivee lv-03 if i were you.

[hcole]

for $550 i think one of the best guitars you can get is the Alvarez AJ60SC, its a jumbo, so it might be a bit much for just playing solo gigs, but if you can get another $150 ontop of that the larivee is an amazing deal. that LV03 is awesome (do they all come flat though or do they make a gloss one?)

The entire 03 series comes with that satin finish

[czech]

for $550 i think one of the best guitars you can get is the Alvarez AJ60SC, its a jumbo, so it might be a bit much for just playing solo gigs, but if you can get another $150 ontop of that the larivee is an amazing deal. that LV03 is awesome (do they all come flat though or do they make a gloss one?)

The entire 03 series comes with that satin finish

i dont like it. but i gues it makes it so that you can get the larrivee sound at an affordable price which is what is important.

[hcole]

for $550 i think one of the best guitars you can get is the Alvarez AJ60SC, its a jumbo, so it might be a bit much for just playing solo gigs, but if you can get another $150 ontop of that the larivee is an amazing deal. that LV03 is awesome (do they all come flat though or do they make a gloss one?)

The entire 03 series comes with that satin finish

i dont like it. but i gues it makes it so that you can get the larrivee sound at an affordable price which is what is important.

It's really a bare bones guitar aesthetically, but like you say they focused on what was important. I'm a member of http://www.larriveeforum.com and I've seen Matthew Larrivee (Jean's son) say that their 03's are every bit as good as their most expensive models.

[Reckless]

Does the AD80S have electronics on board though? I couldnt find it on the alvarez website....I'm only looking for something with electronics though, as I need it for live playing situations here on my college campus and around the city.

No electronics. Alvarez stopped making the AD80S. I was just using it as an example with lami sides.

[castellar]

Alvarez is a great choice in that price range, but i would strongly consider a takamine also. You could get a higher end G-series (EGSF15) with a solid top and bottom and great electronics for the price. IMO i would not rule out the taks.

[bassman462]

Get a bass

[cberner27]

Thanks for the help everyone....I was out at the shop yesterday trying out a bunch of different guitars; everything from martin to taylor to alvarez. Im still going to be shopping around some more, but I'll definately let everyong know what I decide on.

[thejoe]

yeah wisconsin!

[cberner27]

So, I was back at the guitar shop today, and decided to step away from the Alvarez guitars for a bit and really play on some martins and taylors (Martin DC-16GTRE and Taylor 414ce)....and I think that I feel in love. The feel and sound of both the taylor and martin blew the alvarez (even the nicest alvarez they have in stock) out of the water. I liked the feel of both the taylor and martin. I liked the sound of the martin slightly more than the taylor, but i felt the taylor was a bit easier to play, especially when moving around the neck. I'm pretty sure that I'd sell a kidney to get one of these right now....Im starting to seriously consider selling my rarely used telecaster in order to help fund a new taylor or martin. Without starting a taylor / martin war, which do you prefer between these two guitars?

[czech]

So, I was back at the guitar shop today, and decided to step away from the Alvarez guitars for a bit and really play on some martins and taylors (Martin DC-16GTRE and Taylor 414ce)....and I think that I feel in love. The feel and sound of both the taylor and martin blew the alvarez (even the nicest alvarez they have in stock) out of the water. I liked the feel of both the taylor and martin. I liked the sound of the martin slightly more than the taylor, but i felt the taylor was a bit easier to play, especially when moving around the neck. I'm pretty sure that I'd sell a kidney to get one of these right now....Im starting to seriously consider selling my rarely used telecaster in order to help fund a new taylor or martin. Without starting a taylor / martin war, which do you prefer between these two guitars?

it is a 100% personal choice. if you do a search i started a thread about the differences between the two companies. i like the feel of the martin and the playability more. i like the osund a little bit more, but the tone of the taylor is beautiful as well. my dream guitar is the D-35. dont think it gets much better than that, and i say sell the telecaster.

[Reckless]

I prefer Martins, but can't say anything bad about a Taylor. It's all preference.