View Full Version : Alvarez F5 Copies
Hal Loflin
Dec-12-2004, 8:23pm
Does anyone know what Alvarez F5 copies from the 70's are worth? THis one is in mint condition and identical to what looks like a GIbson F5 Master Model.
THanks
There's a bit of variation in these mandos from the 1970s.Some of the earlier ones had a "flat scroll".I've seen these go for $400-500 and have heard they play well and sound pretty good.Others have the regular carved scroll, some pretty fancy inlay and go for more.In my opinion,the 70s-80s Alvarez mandos in general are well made good playing and sounding instruments.I think a lot of people have figured this out,as you don't see them come up for sale as often as you did a couple years ago.Generally speaking,I would expect a 70s-80s
Alvarez F style mando to sell for $650-$950.I did see one with a flamed maple back go for about $1500 on ebay awhile back.But that was an exception and not the rule.
fatt-dad
Dec-13-2004, 7:20am
Be careful. Just because it's hand made, hand carved, hand anything, doesn't mean the hand knew what it was doing. You may find that it's pretty, but thickly carved. This is (in my opinion) the real risk in the Alvarez line. I have sent back two Alvarez mandolins that I purchased for having a very thin tone directly related to the top being too thick. Both were F-style mandolins that looked pretty.
I've had much better luck with Ibanez mandolins and also Aria mandolins. I've also had better luck with the A-styles (i.e., never had to send one back and pricing was much more favorable).
Good luck and if you go for it, really get a committment to have 48 hours to decide and take it to a luthier.
f-d
Hal Loflin
Dec-13-2004, 7:24am
fatt-dad:
I have a friend that received this mandolin for some work he did. He wants $400 for it....I am trying to determine if it is a good investment. It is in excellent condition with case.
"Investment" would mean that you'll be able to sell it for a nice profit at some point in time. Much different scenario than if you were looking for "a good deal". For $400 it might be a good deal but I wouldn't expect the value to raise by leaps and bounds in the near future.
John Flynn
Dec-13-2004, 10:29am
I had an Alvarez A800 that I got $600 for on a trade in three years ago and I think the store marked it up to $750 and sold it pretty quickly at that price. It was marked "Handmade in Japan," it was a fully carved F-5 style of all solid wood. It was very well made, it was was in VG condition and it had a bridge saddle Fishman pickup on it. I think it was made in the 80's but my guess is that the value would be similar to a 70's model.
fatt-dad
Dec-13-2004, 10:54am
fatt-dad:
I have a friend that received this mandolin for some work he did. He wants $400 for it....I am trying to determine if it is a good investment. It is in excellent condition with case.
You or your friend should have no problems selling the mandoiln for $500.00 or $600.00. It does bring up the point of whether you should just tell your friend that it's worth more than he's asking - being a friend and all. . . .
f-d
Hal Loflin
Dec-13-2004, 10:59am
fatt-dad:
We have had that discusion. He just wants the money that he took on trade for the job. He has a good idea what it will bring and since he is not a mandolin player he has offered it to me for what he has in it. Thanks for your input.
Hey fatt-dad,
I saw awhile back that you won the bid on an Alvarez A900 F style on ebay.I have one of these from the 1980s and it's a fine mando.I remember there was something a little different in appearances on the one you won.Maybe it was the tree of life inlay that looked different.Anyway,I learned later that Alvarez has re-introduced this model.
Do you suppose the one you won was a recent issue or an older one.I was surprised at the time that it didn't bring more.Also seems I heard you returned it.
Thanks,
Don.
fatt-dad
Dec-13-2004, 2:20pm
Don,
That was truly one of my failures. Yes, it had all the spin of a great deal but the top was so thick. There just wasn't anything it that mandolin - too bad. That said, the seller was a good guy and (thankfully) accepted the return. There were some minor issues (i.e., it wasn't "mint"), but all of these would have gone to the wayside if it had the (o.k. any) tone.
I have tempered my purchases in recent months. I put out in inquiry today, but overall, I'm happy with my collection and will sell some of my entry level mandolins when the buyers appear. I'm just not to busy trying to promote selling.
That said, one day I want to get a Quartz mandolin. Maybe I'll save up my nickles and search for a good deal. . . .
f-d