Re: alvarez 5056 Tree of Life

Alvarez Tree of Life Model 5056 Serial 7009 Purchased in late 1970

I purchased my Alvarez in the 70’s from Runzo’s Music World in Dublin, CA. I was taking lessons, it was on display, and I fell in love with it – they let me put it on layaway until I could pay it off. I do not recall exactly how much it cost, but think it was around $400-$500 (?). I was told it was a limited edition, the fingerboard and bridge are ebony wood (that would last like iron), and the guitar is inlaid with abalone. The sound board is spruce, Brazilian rose wood sides and the back (I think) is Mahogany. The wood grains are beautiful. I was told its sound would improve with age, that the spruce would darken, and it all has. The only alteration was adding a pickup button, which is not noticeable.

I played non-professionally for years, but stopped about 8-10 years ago – took it out two days ago as my wife wants we to start playing again – the strings were dead but it was hardly out of tune – took it to the Main Street Music store in Placerville, CA and the owner admired it and was amazed that the tension bar needed no adjustment after being in the case for so long.

I am not sure what its value is, but the memories are priceless.

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