Alvarez

Description

Alvarez created the AF30CE Artist Series OM/Folk acoustic-electric guitar to offer a high-quality folk/OM guitar with exceptional tone and value. The AF30CE is perfect for any player looking for an outstanding instrument that is well-balanced and reliable. Players of all styles and musical tastes in need of a great sounding and playable guitar, look no further. The sound is clear and balanced with an articulate voicing with a very musical tone.

Alvarez has also equipped the AF30CE with a great electronic system, their very own SYS250 (designed by B-Band) side-mounted preamp with a 3-band EQ, Presence and built-in tuner.

Artist Series
After 50 years of making guitars, continual improvement through the use of emerging technologies, processes, and materials is still at the heart of Alvarez culture. Alvarez guitars are constructed correctly in every sense, from raw material preparation to construction and manufacturing processes. Their tonewoods are carefully cured; components such as neck blocks and wood joints are carefully designed. The painting, sanding and polishing techniques used are continually researched and developed, and the 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 guitars in the market at every price point, instruments that are truly amazing value and offer a fantastic player experience. Alvarez believes their multi-award-winning Artist Series is one of the finest solid top guitar lines in the world today and demonstrates their commitment to design.

The term “solid top” refers to the soundboard of an acoustic guitar being made of solid wood, rather than being laminated. However, just because the top is solid, it does not necessarily mean the sound automatically benefits from this feature. The tone of the instrument only improves significantly when the whole guitar is built correctly to optimize the energy a solid soundboard can generate. Artist Series is built to do exactly this.

Each model is designed to get the best out if its components, and for them to work together to produce balance, lively projection and great response. These components include Alvarez'a FST2 bracing system, bi-level rosewood bridge, real bone nut and saddle, great quality tonewoods and thin finish. FST2 is a forward shifted X brace design, this means the axis of the X is closer to the soundhole 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 years of continual development in our Yairi workshops. The Artist Series sound and personality is open and powerful. FST2 also creates very good balance so both the treble and bass registers are clearly present and balanced in relation to each other.

Artist Series guitars feel right and are exciting to play; no matter if you are strumming hard or picking lightly, the guitar will do what you ask of it. All of Alvarez's tops are selected by their team and graded independently of their suppliers. If it isn't worthy, they won’t use it. Top quality improves as you move up the Artist Series models, but all are stiff and finely grained.

Along with a more angled headstock, the Alvarez 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 their sound, feel and response, which are also heightened by the use of real bone nuts and saddles.
Open Box Alvarez AF30CE Artist Series OM/Folk Acoustic-Electric Guitar Level 1
Open Box Alvarez AF30CE Artist Series OM/Folk Acoustic-Electric Guitar Level 1
Open Box Alvarez AF30CE Artist Series OM/Folk Acoustic-Electric Guitar Level 1

Features

  • Open pore satin finish
  • Bi-level engineered rosewood bridge
  • Solid A Sitka spruce top with mahogany body
  • Alvarez SYS250 electronics with 3-band EQ, Presence and tuner

Specs

Body
  • Body type: Folk
  • Cutaway: Single
  • Top wood: Solid A Sitka spruce
  • Back and sides: Mahogany
  • Bracing pattern: FST2 - Forward shifted, scalloped
  • Body finish: Satin
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Shalow V to C
  • Nut width: 1.75" (44.45 mm)
  • Fingerboard: Engineered rosewood
  • Neck wood: Mahogany
  • Scale length: 24.8"
  • Number of frets: 21
  • Neck finish: Satin
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Yes
  • Brand: Alvarez
  • Configuration: Sidemounted preamp
  • Preamp EQ: 3-band plus Presence
  • Feedback filter: No
  • Tuner: Yes
Other
  • Headstock overlay: None
  • Tuning machines: Chrome closed die-cast
  • Bridge: Engineered rosewood
  • Saddle and nut: Real bone
  • Number of strings: 6
  • Special features:
  • Case: Sold separately
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: China

Featured Articles

Reviews

4.25

4 Reviews

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming3
  2. Practicing3
  3. Small Venues3
  4. Recording1
  5. School Bands1
Cons
  1. Flat Sound1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced4
Pros
  1. Fun To Play3
  2. Good Feel3
  3. Consistent2
  4. Good Audio2
  5. Stays In Tune2
  • Disappointment....

    2

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byRocky

    fromSan Diego

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I really wanted to love this guitar but it is simply not playable and is being returned. Out of the box the action is high and there is an odd buzz/vibration that seems to be from an improperly cut nut. I'm sure it can be fixed, but it never should have passed quality control and I don't think I should have to pay another $100 or more for the repair. I contactred Alvarez to see if they would cover it under warranty and they suggested I simply return it. Too bad because it is beautiful, well built and I love the 24.9 scale. I'd buy Alvarez again, but quality control needs to do better. Thank goodness GC has a great return policy.

  • Great guitar, Price and Service excellent

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byMike

    fromAndersonville TN

    I wanted the wide nut and shorter scale plus flatter fretboard radius. This was the one that fit my needs. It's got good tone even even though I put 8 guage strings on it. I do a lot of blues bends, etc. This combo makes it super easy to play plus on board eq, tuner, vol control gives it features of higher priced guitars. It's a great value.

  • Great Guitar!

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byChristopher, J

    fromJBSA Lackland, TX

    Shipped quickly, great size with excellent onboard tuning. Guitar arrived almost completely in tune already, low action and warm sound. Feels great in my hands; glad I bought Alvarez!

  • Great guitar for the money!!!

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byChester G.

    fromMammoth Cave, Kentucky

    I bought this guitar as an "entry level" to acoustic-electric guitars and have had it for over a year. It's so comfortable that I play it daily and always enjoy the experience. It has surprisingly good action for a not-too-expensive guitar The on-board tuner is fantastic as are the 3 bands of EQ. The "Presence" is a nice addition as well. It's my favorite guitar to just sit around and practice on. I run it through a 20-watt Acoustic brand amplifier most of the time and the sound is "large" and balanced. If you're looking for a great, inexpensive and fun guitar that is always fun to play, this is it. For the record, I have a Martin 12-string, but this is my "go to" guitar for daily practice, love it.

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byTom

    fromMontgomery, TX

    What is the full length of the Alvarez AF30CE Artist Series OM/Folk Acoustic Electric Guitar?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The Alvarez AF30CE is about 39" long.
  • asked byEmily

    fromNew York, NY

    Does this guitar come with strings?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The AFC30CE will come with strings on it..
  • asked byKyle

    fromJoliet Illinois

    Does it come with a gig bag or case?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Unfortunately, no. Please give us a call to help you find something – 855-770-3373
  • asked byKen

    fromNashua, NH

    Does the current 15% off apply to this guitar model?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Sales Agent for specific pricing inquiries