Alvarez Model 5084 "Bi-Phonic" acoustic/electric Guitar - Rare!

We offer this extremely rare Alvarez Model 5084 (Serial Number 850546) made in Japan in the 1970s or 80s. The basic Mahogany and Spruce design is reminiscent of Martins made at the time and it even has a very nice pyramid bridge which harkens back to vintage Martins from the 20's and 30's.  But what really makes this guitar special is its unique set of "bi-phonic" electronics!! The guitar called "bi-phonic" because it has two output jacks and two sets of volume and tone pots with a toggle switch beside them.  With the toggle in one direction, it behaves like other mono acoustic/electric guitars, but switched the other way, it divides the lower 3 strings to one output and the upper three strings to the other. This allows the guitar to be plugged into two separate amps or two separate mixer channels which yields some unique stereo sounds as well as letting you have separate pedal effects and equalization for each signal.   I tried it with the bass stings flat and the treble strings with a heavy chorus effect and it was like two instruments playing at once.  Very cool!

This instrument appears to be all-original and it is in good playing condition with a straight neck and comfortable action and all the electronics work.  It does have  a small amount of finish variation and a few dings in the top and some small marks and finish cracks, all as might be expected of an instrument of it's age, but overall, a very cool and attractive guitar.  It comes with what we believe to be its original chipboard case in usable condition.