I have an Alvarez 12-string for sale. It is model no. 5054 and was made on 4-21-1978 in Japan, and is really quality-made throughout, which is very typical of many of the Japanese-made instruments during this time period.
This guitar has really some beautiful, and distinctly marked Rosewood back and sides, and has the squared-off bound headstock, and as well as the bound fretboard. The truss-rod adjustment (which works fine) is located through the soundhole, and the neck is very straight with no warpage or twisting of any kind. The Spruce top (laminated) has turned to a sweet golden "vintage" color over the years.
I have adjusted the action to 6/64" at the 12th for the low E, and 4-5/64" for the high E when tuned to A440 pitch, which is nice low action and quite easy to play. There are no issues to worry about on this guitar that I can think of, with the possible exception of a very slight bulge below the bridge (I took plenty of pictures to show this if you're concerned about it), which is no more than many 12-string have, especially after 28 years of existence! I would describe the sound as bright, but not overly so nor is it tinny, and it has a good balance of lows and highs across the tonal spectrum. However, the tone is not really deep, and it does not have the strong bass that many of the Martin 12-strings from this time period seem to have. I would describe the sound as being more superficial than deep and gut-wrenching.
Included in this sale is a nice black Hard-shell case with a blue lining, and 4 latches (not the original case). The body is all gloss and shined to a beautiful sheen that reflects very well. The gear-enclosed highly-polished chrome tuners look to be original with no corrosion, and work very well with no problems. The frets are in excellent condition with little or no fretwear to speak of. This guitar looks like it wasn't used very much, and I got it from a friend of mine who has had it for almost 20 years and has taken very good care of it. I thought that I would use this as my own 12-string, but I have decided to save up and either get a Taylor 12-string, or buy another Takamine FP-400S 12-string like the one I foolishly sold 3 years ago.
This guitar is in excellent condition as well as the case it comes with. I have taken tons of pictures from just about every angle, and I will be more than happy to email them to you for your perusal. I am asking $350 or best offer, which also includes the shipping charges to any Continental USA address. I will gladly accept PayPal as payment, or a USPS Money Order.
I can email tons of pictures for those who are interested! jeffmayer@cfl.rr.com
(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1865/1/51/94/62/46/2/246629451107_0_ALB.jpg)(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1865/1/51/94/84/20/4/420849451107_0_ALB.jpg)
(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1865/1/51/94/23/24/6/624239451107_0_ALB.jpg)
(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1776/1/51/5/87/0/5/500870551107_0_ALB.jpg)(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1865/1/51/94/23/14/3/314239451107_0_ALB.jpg)
Thanks for listening and looking.
Jeff
Your photos aren't coming up at this time.
E. Shoaf
They seem to be working fine for me.
Jeff