Juan Alvarez Estudio 1988

Juan Alvarez was born in 1932 and began building guitars with his brother Lorenzo in the 1940s. Later, Juan Alvarez became friends with Marcelo Barbero (1904-1956), one of the greatest guitar builders of the last century. The latter became Juan's mentor, providing him with advice and support, from which he says he benefited immensely. Together with Marcelo Barbero, they also gained insight into the guitar world of the great Santos Hernandez, since Marcelo Barbero worked for Santos Hernandez's widow for a while after his death. In 1952, Juan Alvarez founded his own workshop, where he worked shortly before his death and also trained his son. He also worked with Arcangel Fernandez, so we can rightly call him one of the most important guitar builders!
This beautiful instrument was made entirely by hand in 1988. There is a professionally restored hairline crack on the right side of the fretboard that does not affect the sound at all. The sound is characterized by a balanced combination of long-ringing highs and a full, deep bass.
Eric Clapton used a Juan Alvarez model for his iconic “Tears in Heaven” performance and his MTV Unplugged concert. One of Clapton’s Alvarez guitars sold for $253,900 at auction, demonstrating his great respect for the instrument. Recently, another Juan Alvarez guitar, which Clapton loaned to John Porter for years, sold for $101,000 at auction.


Top: Solid cedar

Back and side: Solid indian rosewood

Fingerboard: Ebony

String: 656 mm, 51mm