Alvarez 5088C 1980's Black Acoustic Electric

Alvarez Artist 5088C Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic / Electric

Original Retail Price $929.00

Great playing and sounding guitar!  Minor surface scratches, as can be expected with a black finish, but nothing noticeable.  Gel rosette is slightly wave-y which is typical on these models, but nothing affects the sound or playability.  Speaking of playability, the action on the guitar is extremely low for an acoustic.  Recently restrung and setup.

Review from Guitar Player March 1, 1993

"ALVAREZ ARTIST 5088C ($800). Since this guitar is our least expensive Shootout entry, we didn't have high expectations. Suprisingly, the Alvarez Artist 5088C knocked us out with its great acoustic and electric tones and work-manship. It kicks butt on many more expensive instruments.

ALVAREZ ARTIST 5088C

Acoustic Tone x x x x Electric Tone x x x x Playability x x x x Features x x x Workmanship x x x Materials x x x

Overall Impressions: A cool all-around buy. We dug the electronics. 

The 5088C is a dreadnought with a cutaway. It features Alvarez's System 500 pickup and equalization system, which we agree is the best pickup-only system of the bunch. (One contestant is equipped with a mike/pickup package, but you'll have to hang tight for our verdict on it.) This same system is found on the more expensive Yairi model we tested. The controls are housed in a single panel located on the guitar's upper bout--visible yet out of the way. Controls include a contour knob (600Hz-1200Hz), volume knob, and treble, mid, and bass EQ sliders that boost or cut frequencies by 15dB. The control panel is attached to the guitar's body with two large screws that can be easily removed using a pick or coin. This makes changing the single 9-volt battery a breeze. Inside the control panel, we noticed two trim pots that let you customize the bass and treble sliders' range by an additional 5dB of boost or cut. Very cool."

Guitar is without case.  Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or need to see more.