Alvarez Masterworks Series at NAMM 2014

Alvarez will be unveiling their latest top-of-the-line Masterworks Series guitars at the coming 2014 NAMM.

Alvarez Masterworks Series

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They will be showcasing 14 new models at the event, guitars that come in five different body shapes (dreadnought, OM, GA, Parlor and Classical) and two different wood options (Sitka/Rosewood and African Mahogany/Mahogany).

The new Masterworks Series are completely revamped and redesigned, with Alvarez stating that they had to reject a number of prototypes before ending up with acceptable high-end designs.

Alvarez brand manager Chris Meikle says: “This has been more than two years in the making. These are beautifully balanced, have exquisite separation and articulation, lots of bass, and a sparkling upper register. They are an absolute joy to play.” He further states: “To really get the best from an acoustic guitar it ought to be all-solid wood. We designed the new Masterworks to get the best out of its woods both tonally and aesthetically.”

A notable redesign used on the Masterworks Series guitars is the use of a new bracing system called FST2M, and the overall aesthetics where also improved. Other features include the having an open-pore finish for the back and sides for improved top wood movement. Both the neck and the top has a satin finish, and every component is made from the finest natural materials including rosewood and maple bindings and purfings.

As part of their high end line, the tops are all hand selected and the line offers AA grad Sitka spruce and perfectly grained cedar soundboards. Other features include Green Abalone inlays, ebony bridge pins, real bone saddles and nuts, and Grover tuners.

Meikle continues, “The sound and personality of the new models is different. The FST2M bracing is very forward and we added a large solid maple bridge plate to compensate for increasing the size of the soundboard. A lot of companies these days seem to be building for more bass and are constructing guitars lighter and lighter. We’ve gone the other way and actually tightened up our tops with stronger bracing, but we still generate great bass and middle frequencies through careful scalloping. So basically we create a balanced sound, rather than a bassy sound. Masterwork’s tone has clarity, it’s clear, not muddy like a lot of guitars these days, and they’re dressed as eloquently as they sound.”

The price range for the new Alvarez Masterworks guitars starts at $599.00 and goes up to $1099.00. Visit Alvarez Guitars for more details on the new models.

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