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Thread: Alvarez mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Alvarez mandolin

    Yesterday I bought an Alvarez mandolin at a local pawn shop. It's an F style with gold hardware, block inlay on the fingerboard, and the headstock says "The Alvarez." Inside the body it say "Alvarez Hand Made" and has the number 54354, which I assume is the serial number. It has the original rectangular case which is lined in yellow...even has the original cleaning cloth inside.

    Is there anyway to determine when it was made by the number inside? What would be an approximate value? It's in very good condition. It is very loud and sounds and plays great up and down the neck.

    Thanks in advance for any info
    Last edited by Southside; Jul-10-2018 at 5:08pm. Reason: Mispell

  2. #2
    Member
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    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    Congratulations on your new mandolin! And welcome to the Cafe!
    Pictures of the instrument would help.

    Best guess without pictures is Alvarez A700. Probably late 1970s to early 1980s. Likely laminate top, back & sides.
    Like this?
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...VAREZ-MANDOLIN
    or this?
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...lin-on-The-Way
    Last edited by colorado_al; Jul-10-2018 at 5:39pm.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    Thank you. I'm pretty sure the top is solid on this one by the grain showing thru the wood around the f holes. Anyway, it sounds great. Great lows and mids...big chop. Any idea on what it might be worth?

  4. #4
    Registered User Jon Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    I bought and sold a similar mandolin (early 1970s) in 2016 - 17. It's value at that time was $450 - $650 depending on condition. Mine was in near perfect condition and purchased/sold at the top of the range.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    Just saw a used 800 model listed on the Internet for $459 plus shipping, with a shaped case...You can usually find out what the going rates are for mandolins by Googling them on the Internet, `tain`t hard to do...

    Willie

  6. #6
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    Mine is an A-700, solid topped, laminate back and sides, scroll block the size of Brazil!
    Sounds great, no issues in its entire life. Bought it sight unseen in 1975, no regrets at all.
    Probably $500 would be fair.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    I'm interested in the answer to Southside's question. I have an A900, carved, fancy in-lay. I've wanted to know when it was made, and I have the serial number. I think it may have been made in 1978, from some research I did year's ago, but I can't find the website that I used, and I'm still not sure about the date. I've no interest in selling it -- just want to track down it's history.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Alvarez mandolin

    hellindc

    Does your mandolin have "The Alvarez" on the headstock? Block inlay? What is the serial number of yours? How does yours sound? I believe mine is a 1979 A700...but I'm not really sure. I bought mine at a pawn shop recently. The strings were rusted and the mandolin was rather dirty. I took it home and cleaned the body,fretboard and put new strings on it. It sounded really good but after playing it more and more it seems to just get better.

    Southside

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