A 12th fret Dreadnought really works for many players – some say it’s because of the position of the bridge being right in the middle of the soundboard, or the closer position of your fretting hand or just the overall feel and string tension. Whatever it is, it certainly works. /

The Alvarez MDR70ESB Masterworks Round Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar has a really lovely round and full tone with lots of clear bass frequencies and glistening trebles. Its response is instant, and its notes are clear and robust. When strumming, the FS6 bracing system and AAA Sitka top help deliver clarity and separation, and balance is clearly audible across all six strings.

Alvarez MDR70ESB Masterworks Round Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar Features

• Masterworks Series instrument
• Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
• Solid Rosewood back and sides LR Bags
• VTC pickup system
• FS6 Bracing System – forward shifted X Brace design means more vibration is harnessed
• Bi-level bridge increases string tension and response
• Includes gig bag

The MDR is a beautifully finished instrument with a deep shine, thin poly finish and traditional appointments come in the way of a slotted headstock, open gear tuners, and pre-war style sunburst.

The projection and overall breadth of tonal reach in these guitars is outstanding, making it hard to put down for those players looking for a powerful open voicing and feel of a 12th Fret Dreadnought.

The MDR70ESB is fitted with the fantastic LR Baggs Element-VTC pick up with soundhole console.

The Alvarez Masterworks Series is an incredible value, all-solid guitar line. Their specification is incredibly high in relation to their cost, and they perform as all solid professional guitars should, with fantastic response and projection.

The Masterworks personality is open and powerful. The FS6 bracing system also creates very good balance so both the treble and bass registers are clearly present and balanced in relation to each other. All of the tops are selected by the Alvarez team and graded independently, cured with care using traditional ovens and modern thermo-kilns.

Along with a more angled headstock, the 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 sound, feel, and response.

Nothing can really match a guitar made from all-solid wood. The deflection of the notes is quicker, the quality of the sound is better, you can obtain optimal response, and the sound of your guitar will improve as it ages.

The term “all solid” of course refers to the guitar top, back, and sides being made of solid wood rather than laminated. However, just because the guitar is made of all solid tonewood, it only performs to its full potential when it is designed to get the best out of its materials and components. As the tops Alvarez uses in Masterworks are very high quality, they can make them a little thinner to heighten vibration. The radius of both the top and back are also refined to help increase volume.

Each guitar is designed to get the best out of its components, and for them to work together. These components include the FS6 bracing system, bi-level bridges, real bone nuts and saddles, carefully seasoned tonewoods, and a thin finish.

FS6 is a forward shifted X brace design. This means the axis of the X is closer to the sound hole and therefore creates 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 continual development in Alvarez Yairi workshops.

After 50 years of making guitars, continual improvement through the use of emerging technologies, processes, and materials is still at the heart of Alvarez’s culture. Their guitars are constructed correctly in every sense, from raw material preparation to construction and manufacturing processes.

Tone woods are carefully cured and components such as neck blocks and wood joints are carefully designed. The painting, sanding and polishing techniques they use are continually researched and developed, and their tone is impeccably crafted and married to a stable, consistent, and lively sound box.

This caring approach to development comes from one simple goal: To deliver the best instruments that provide truly amazing value and offer a fantastic player experience.

Alvarez MDR70E Masterworks 12-Fret Round Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar Specifications

• Top Material: AAA Sitka Spruce
• Top Finish: Natural Sunburst
• Back and Side Material: Solid Rosewood
• Back and Sides Finish: Natural/Gloss
• Overall Length: 1010 mm (39.76 inches)
• Body Width: 395 mm (15.55 inches)
• Body Depth at Heel: 102 mm (4.02 inches)
• Body Depth at Base: 112 mm (4.41 inches)
• Bracing System: MSTI - Scalloped X, Asymmetric Tones Bars
• Scale: 648 mm (25.5 inches)
• Neck Joint: Dovetail
• Neck Meets Body: 12th fret
• No. Frets: 21
• Nut Width: 44.45 mm (1.75 inches)
• Pickup: LR Baggs VTC
• Gig Bag: AFC30A