"The Alvarez" mandolin

[curlybill]

Hello, newbie here. I just recently acquired an old mandolin, made by Alvarez, says on headstock "The Alvarez". I have owned and played guitars all my life, but I do not know much about mandolins. It came to me with all the parts taken off, but I did an inventory and all the parts are there, and look original. Except missing pickguard. Looks in good shape. Can some tell me by looking at the picture what I have here, if it was a good model as a player, it's worth, any history on it. Thanks in advance.
http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af188/curlybills/Alvarez/image_zpsgdmupdjr.jpeg

[Ron McMillan]

You'll do better if you manage to imbed a photo or two in your next post. To do that start a response then click the 'Go Advanced' button to the bottom right of the response box then use 'Manage Attachments' to upload photos.

From what I've seen here on the Cafe, Alvarez mandolins were probably made in the Far East, possibly in Korea. The two-pointer you have there should be able to be set up to play nicely, but it'll never be considered a high-end instrument. My rough guestimate says it is possibly worth about $300 dollars, but you can take that number with a pinch of salt. Much more informed responses will surely follow.

ron

[curlybill]

Thanks Ron for the information. The only thing that is stamped on the inside is Alvarez Handmade. And that it has The Alvarez on the headstock instead of just Alvarez. Thanks again for the info.

[allenhopkins]

There were quite a few of these two-point, oval-hole mandolins made in Asia (Japan or Korea?), probably during the 1970's or around that time. This was when "Jethro" Burns was playing a cherry sunburst, oval-hole two-point Gibson A-5, and I'd guess the Asian "clones" were seeking a market based on Burns's visibility.

Here's (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?105180-no-name-two-points) a thread on similar instruments, under a variety of names (or no name). Pretty decent instruments, from what I gathered Googling Cafe threads on the subject. This thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?25660-Ibanez-513) discusses a similar one labeled "Ibanez," and supposedly these are all solid woods -- a plus.

This one (https://reverb.com/item/471185-alvarez-a500-1972-1974-vintage-burst) sold, apparently for $600, and there's another one listed for $500. I'd say those were both high-end prices.

[curlybill]

Thanks Allen, good info. That one that sold for $600, The Alvarez, looks exactly like the one I have. Can't wait to get it cleaned up, setup and back together, see what kind of player it is. A500, interesting, now I know.

[monument]

I have what I think is an Alvarez A900 - F-style, matte finish, retailed about 10 years ago for about $1300. Was the A900 the only one with a matte finish and can anyone tell me anything about the manufacture of A900 Alvarez mandolins? Thanks.