Alvarez AG-60AR Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitar Natural

Artist Series
The term “solid top” refers to the soundboard of an acoustic guitar being made of solid wood, rather than being laminated. However, just because the top is solid, it does not necessarily mean the sound automatically benefits from this feature. The tone of the instrument only improves significantly when the whole guitar is built correctly to optimize the energy a solid soundboard can generate. The Artist Series is built to do exactly this.

Each model is designed to get the best out if its components, and for them to work together to produce balance, lively projection and great response. These components include Alvarez's FST2 bracing system, bi-level rosewood bridge, real bone nut and saddle, great quality tonewoods and thin finish.

FST2 is a forward-shifted X brace design which means the axis of the X is closer to the sound hole to create a larger soundboard area allowing for more energy and vibration to be harnessed. Both the X braces and asymmetric tone bars are carefully scalloped. The scalloping design was the result of years of continual development in their Yairi workshops. The Artist Series sound and personality is open and powerful. FST2 also creates very good balance so both the treble and bass registers are clearly present and balanced in relation to each other.

Artist Series feel right and are exciting to play; no matter if you are strumming hard or picking lightly, the guitar will do what you ask of it. For a more focused sound with fewer overtones, choose a mahogany top. For power, go for Sitka. For warmth and response to a lighter touch, choose a cedar top. All of Alvarez's tops are selected by their team and graded independently of their suppliers. If it isn't deemed worthy, they won’t use it. Top quality improves as you move up the Artist Series models but all are stiff and finely grained.

Along with a more angled headstock, the Alvarez bi-level bridge increases string tension by making the break angle of the strings from the saddle to the top more acute. Improved string tension adds to the sound, feel and response, which are also heightened by the use of real bone nuts and saddles.

Artist Series also demonstrates their great finishing capabilities; the gloss models have a clear deep shine from a finish that is applied as thinly as possible, again to help optimize tone.