Alvarez f3 any good?

[JohnnyCrash]

Are the Alvarez F3 mandos any good?

I hope so, because I just bought a used one online with a killer flame on the back/sides!

Any upgrades recommended?

I am new to Mandolins, so I know tailpieces are often recommended - which upgrade tailpiece should I order?

I have a passive Fishman bridge I will put on her and feed into an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI/PreAmp, so perhaps the only upgrade left is tuners?

[Mr. Loar]

Pics?

[Rocky Top]

Never played one, but I've heard good things about them. Post some pics when you get it!

[mandroid]

The Curmudgeon says "If it ain't broke don't fix it", Eh?

Tuners tune adaquately and the hook on the tailpiece holds the loop on the string, sweat naught, then concentrate on the playing of the music .

... if, the noting and fingering , playability issues, arise, those would be sorted out with a good setup process, by a competent stringed musical instrument technician , as commonly described heretofore.

[JohnnyCrash]

I have pics from the auction, I will post them in a few minutes (gotta upload to photo-hoster).

As far as setups - I setup all of my own guitars (pieced together a few "Partscaster" Telecasters too) and basses myself. The cheap Old Hickory F-Style I had was beyond normal setups as the frets were not level and it had several other serious issues with craftsmanship (it was good enough to learn basics on hehe).

I'm usually a "aint broke don't fix" type of guy myself... but I'd also like to know my options for really upgrading this sucker -IF- it needs any slight improvements - tuners I imagine are going to be fine, but I've heard a tailpiece can be a bummer on more "budget" mandos.

[JohnnyCrash]

It's listed as used, but looks clean.

NEW it lists $1149, sells RETAIL for $770, I paid $525 w/shipping (no case, but I already have a F-Style case and Fishman passive pickup). I hope it is as clean as the photos!

OK, here are some photos from the auction, the seller said these are the actual Mandolin, not a stock photo:



Front/Body:


http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3Ant.jpg



Back:


http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/Mandolins/F3bottomback.jpg



I've got more photos, but I don't want to drag down those with low-speed internet connections http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mr. Loar]

Sweet! Is that an original finish?

[JohnnyCrash]

Forgot to post the Alvarez website's specs on this:

Solid Spruce top, solid flamed maple back and sides (doesn't seem to be a photo-flame or veneer), an ebony fretboard (I really like ebony, it's classy hehe), and an "Antique Violin Satin" blonde finish.

My girlfriend is my bassplayer, she was drooling over the blonde Gibson "Goldrush," but I think she'll like the white multiply binding and darker violin finish better http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The auction shows it has a factory 2nd or used stamp on the back of the headstock, but also mention they have a lot of factory refurb/2nds that are thoroughly checked out... I'm crossing my fingers, hoping it's as clean as it looks with little-to-no fret wear!

[Mr. Loar]

So, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you have to cough up for that one?

[Rocky Top]

Ooh, purdy!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[JohnnyCrash]

So, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you have to cough up for that one?



$525 with shipping, used.

[JohnnyCrash]

So nobody has any first hand experience with Alvarez mandolins?

I also could not find any reviews of em.

Man, I'm so new to mandos that I'm sorta shopping in the dark - I hope it works out well!

[fatt-dad]

Change the strings and leave the tailpiece be. There's not alot to be gained by changing out a tailpiece (other than conveniance).

I'm sure this will be a fine mandolin, but I've never played/seen one - no matter, enjoy!

f-d

p.s., I like the EXP-74 for strings.

[Rocky Top]

Man, I'm so new to mandos that I'm sorta shopping in the dark - I hope it works out well!
I wish you the best and hope it's all you want it to be and more. For whatever reason, there just aint no Alvarez mandolins around here. About every music store in these parts are Alvarez dealers and have bookoos of guitars, but no mando's. Before I got my Gibson, I was searching high and low for one of those because someone on another message board had one and loved it, but I have yet to find one. I'd still like to check one out to see how they sound/play. I'd like a good sounding/playing lower end mando to have to take places I wouldn't take my Gibson. Again, best of luck and let us know how it turns out.

[Austin Koerner]

I wouldn't worry, the one I played was real nice. I was about to buy it, but then I got a Bovier.

I am really blown away by the maple on these.

[cooper4205]

So nobody has any first hand experience with Alvarez mandolins?

I also could not find any reviews of em.

Man, I'm so new to mandos that I'm sorta shopping in the dark - I hope it works out well!
I had one of these a while back that was a really nice mandolin, definitely one of the better ones in it's class that I've played.

[JohnnyCrash]

Thanks! I will keep you guys posted http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandomick]

Hey Johnny, Welcome to the Cafe but fair warning, if you think GAS is bad MAS will make you neglect all other things "string". Talked to you a few times over on the Tele forum. Have fun, you'll like it here.

[JohnnyCrash]

Should be here today... I'm up late (haha it's after 12 midnight) waiting for it already.

I can't wait.

[BlueMountain]

Yes, Johnny, I had one for a few weeks. I bought it just like you bought yours, but I bought it for a friend who was moving up from a particularly dreadful Johnson. So once she paid me for it, I sent it to her.

Thoughts:
Even though it was a second, the set-up was excellent. I'm used to having to dress frets and file nuts on mandolins new or old if I buy them on eBay, but this one needed nothing at all. I think it's one of the best looking of the PacRim mandolins: the Alvarez logo is a lot more attractive than that straight across Eastman.

It's an unusually light mandolin, and the finish is barely there. Far different from the PacRim mandolins with thick polyurethane glop finishes. That back and side flame maple looks terrific.

You WILL need to change the strings right away. I usually recommend D'Addario J74s. As I recall, it comes with thinner strings, but it easily handles J74s.

Even with new strings, the sound will be a bit on the thin side. The one I had had a pretty decent chop to it, but it lacked in depth and body. Of course, if you play bluegrass, that may be less important to you. The volume was pretty decent. If you gave a dozen serious players a blindfold test with your Alvarez and their luthier made mandolin or Gibson or other high end mandolin, not one will have any trouble distinguishing between them. On the other hand, your will look great and will sound better than 90% or more of the PacRim mandolins out there.

The tuners are just fine, and it makes no sense to replace them. A cast bronze tailpiece will increase sustain, but do you really want to? Again, if you are playing bluegrass, the tone will be more what you need without a cast tailpiece. And if the action is as good on yours as it is on mine, you'll find that the ease of playing contributes to your pleasure. Practice hard on this one, and when you feel you're good enough to deserve it, buy a used luthier-made mandolin. Whether A or F, it will almost certainly sound better than your Alvarez. And you should be able to resell the Alvarez for $350 or $400.

[JohnnyCrash]

Man, this thing plays so nicely for a "budget" mando. I can actually get the action low on this thing.

It don't sound like a Gibson, but it sure fits the bill for playability and sound decent enough for my uses. Plugged in it'll work well... mic'ed up it sounds fine, nothing like old Monroe, but I aint got that kinda dough.

I am very happy!