Alvarez F3 mando

i traded my old A700 alvarez for this new F3 model. #great tone and looks for the price. #i really couldn't be more pleased with the finish (not perfect, but better than most) and the sound- good chop and great low end. #on par with some eastman 515s i played and better than the kentucky's and michael kelly mandolins. it plays very well even though the action is a tad high righ now, but it's nothing a set-up won't cure. definately a great beginners mando or one to upgrade to, in my opinion

full frontal-


http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...3frontfull.jpg

i really like the back and the matte finish

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...217/F3back.jpg


not the best scroll, but it's fine with me

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...mandoANGLE.jpg


i have finally found some mandolins i'm gonna stick with for a while

Nice looker. You are right about the finish being attractive. Happy pickin' for a great many moons.

Very Pretty!
Nice to see Alvarez doing that kind of finish.

Is it solid wood? Cool looking mandolin. Chinese construction?

f-d

i don't know about that, it might be Korean as it is pretty different from almost all other pac-rims i have come across. they also make a blond and black version, same woods-different fingerboard inlays for each. i like the vine on this, it's not as gaudy as other similar vine patterns

here is a pic of the scroll/fretboard inlay and headstock, you can't tell in the pics but the inlays are abalone

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...7/F3scroll.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...3headstock.jpg

Cooper,
Was the A700 MIJ?

Curt

yea the A700 was a MIJ, it was the kind with the flat scroll though, didn't have much volume either, but a nice tone. this is heads and shoulders above the old one

Pardon my ignorance, but what makes this an F3 rather than an F5? The 15th fret marker lines up with the 15th fret etc.
Thanks
Tom

they have one called and F1 (blonde), F2 (black) and F3 and an A1 and A1e, i think its just their own designation

Very nice. love the back and sides. the color's nice, too.

That is a nice looking, reasonably-priced F-model. Looks like the street price is around $800-900?

My only beef with it aesthetically is the glossy finish on the headstock. I would think that a matte black headstock would go better with the satin finish.

Jim

I just saw and played one of the Alvarez A1 mandolins. They are blonde with what appears a hand rubbed finish. Made in China, but a far cry from some of its Korean cousins. Solid top and back/sides. Tightly flamed back, multi piece neck and headstock but nicely put together and finished out. A plain looking A stlye without binding, but an ebony fretboard. The adjustable bridge appeared to be an ebonizied rosewood, but I could be wrong. It had light gauge strings on the one I played so it did not come across as very loud. Tonal qualities were promising but not enough to grab it up for $549.

The owner said Alvarez has stepped up to what he called their Master Built products using all solid woods in their guitars and mandolins.

the price on these new is $800 i got lucky and got the thing used, so i don't have that in it. i don't know why the A-style is that much, you can get an alvarez F2 for $100 more.

i absolutely love mine, she doesn't behave like your average alvarez, there is definately room to grow into this thing. i agree that they should have kept the satin finish for the headstock, but at least they didn't try and get too fancy with the inlays like the MK dragonfly or some of the old alvarez's

I am new to this board and looking to buy my first mandolin. #I spotted the Alvarez A1 in a local shop and am interested, but I don't know if it would be a wise beginner choice. #The people in the local store don't know much about mandolins, but I think it would be hard for me to order online a mando I've never seen. #As of now I am thinking it's a toss up b/w the Alvarez A1 for $549, or having to order a Kentucky 350 online for $265. Is the Alvarez worth the difference? Any suggestions on this would be appreciated. #Although I am rank beginner, I want something that gives me some growing room.