Alvarez 2551 12 String Limited Edition Silver Anniversary Model Gibson L-1 L-00 l-2 look-alike 5037

For sale is a wonderful Alvarez Silver Anniversary Sepcial Edition 2551.  This is a rare model that flew almost completely under the radar, and was gone when the anniversary year ended.  I am not sure how many were made, but they are incredibly hard to find.  Alvarez made many different guitars but used the same model names, so you may find a guitar with the same model (2551), which is clearly a different body shape.  

This particular model was made for only one year in the mid 90's.

There is another COMPLETELY DIFFERENT model, that has a completely different body that often goes by the same name as this guitar.  The other version of this is not rare and is a very nice guitar, but is nothing compared to this.  I know because years ago I owned one of them.  They are shaped liks spanish guitars, but are for steel strings.  They sound great but I sold mine, and kept this without blinking an eye because of the superiority.  

If you look at my other listings, you will see that they are for very expensive, high end guitars.  I have had the privilege of being able to buy expensive guitars, but every once in a while, you find a gem for under $2,000 that makes you fall in love and draws you in like a $3,500 dream guitar.  

This guitar won out in battle after battle of other 12 strings trying to take its place in my collection.  I sold the others over this one every time.  Martins, Taylors, Yairi's, other Alvarez's, and Larrivees.  Why?  Because the playability, sound, and songwriting inspiration that this guitar has would always beat the others.  Alvarex is absolutely the best bang for your buck as an acoustic 12 string guitar period.  I have been a 12 string connoisseur since I bought my first so man years ago, and I have tried them all.  

Before I had my own studio, I used to record at Crosby Street Studios in NYC, and when I went to record 12 string, I took this guitar over my other 12 strings, which were mentioned before.  My Alvarez's beat out Taylors every time for recording.  

Alvarez did something right, and is known for producing the best sounding laminate back and sides guitars, and for incredible prices too.  In another 25 years, all of the solid wood 12 strings will have buckled under the string tension and had problems, and these Alvarez's will be looking great.  

There is something very mysterious, bluesy, and soulfull about this guitar - the body shape produces a wonderful mid focused punchy blues tone, like Robert Johnson's guitar that is so similarly shaped, that is unlike anything I have ever heard from an acoustic of other shape.  Although the waist is thin, the lower bout is big and keeps the low end booming.  It has a resonance that stands out in the mix when playing in my acoustic duo.  The good news is this - I have two of these, and this is the one I've kept in good shape and babied.  (If you don't believe I have two, I can send you a picture of both together hanging on my wall).  I have NEVER purposely bought a second copy of any 12 string before, and I have had THREE of these.  I let one go about ayear ago, and now it is time to let this one go.  When I play shows I bring my beat up 2551, and the same with recording sessions away from my home studio.  I wanted to keep this one in good shape, and it hasn't left my home studio since the day it arrived.  It is used mainly for writing, but does not get played much since I have the beat up spair.

In case you hadn't figured it out, this is my favorite 12 string I have ever owned.  The reason is because it is unique, and inspires me to write.  It has helped me write my favorite songs (and my fans' favorite songs).  However, I am happy just keeping my beat up copy, and my other 12 strings, and not having any duplicates.  If I ever break mine, I will have to contact the buyer of this one and buy it back for twice as much.  

It features a solid Spruce top, Rosewood back and sides, a really nice abalone soundhole rosette, abalone headstock inlay, Rosewood headstock overlay, 12 closed tuners, bound sides and back, Maple back strip, and a bound headstock. These are top-of-the-line appointments.  

The only notable blemishes are some scuffs on the back and a few tiny dings here and there ( mainly referring to the sides).  I have tried to capture them all in the pictures.  

This guitar has great dynamics - the best of both worlds - It has soft, sparkling melodic tones when it wants, and makes fingerpicking effortless, but it also packs a punch, and makes you want to stomp your heel or tap your foot for percussion at other times.  It will take women through a roller coaster of emotions when you write or play for them with it.

Ships to continental USA only.  International buyers message me for a shipping quote.

Life is short, live your dreams.