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Hi,
Whilst visiting my sister I called in to a local guitar shop and happened upon an Alvarez AP 70 which I loved and should have bought there and then, but I’d got a lot on at the time so left without it, and when I checked the stores website a few days later it was sold.
Alvarez guitars are quite rare here so I doubt I’ll get the chance to do any direct comparisons.
Does anyone have any experience of how the more expensive MPA 70 sounds compared to the AP 70 for plectrum style playing similar to the style Brian plays. Is there an improvement in tone with the MPA 70 due to its solid back and sides or does it depend more on the individual example of the guitar you happen to play?
I thought the AP 70 was superb, I played it next to several ‘big parlors’ in the store, some costing over double the price of the AP 70 and to my ears it trounced them all.
I’m really kicking myself for not buying it when I had the chance, but maybe with luck and a word to the wise I’ll be able to get hold of another example or possibly even an MPA 70.
Thanks
Stuart -
Hi Stuart I have been thinking I would like to get the MPA70 ever since Brian produce his on AM. I get the impression it is quite a bit the better guitar but I have never had my hands on either. It certainly sounds great and is a very nice size. I will be very interested to hear what you discover. Maybe there is a shootout somewhere on the net or you tube between them.
Best of luck.
JohnStrat -
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I think with every model of guitar, there are good and less good, individual guitars, and occasionally great ones. But both the Alvarez guitars brian has used for lessons have had great tone and projection, as well as sustain. I prefer the MPA70, and plan on buying one soon. There is something different and elegant about the sound of this little acoustic, that I can’t reproduce with my Martin or Taylor guitars. It has a sound of it’s own.
Of course Brian can squeeze the best sound it has to offer out of it, and it sounds amazing. Let us know if you buy one. -
There is a night and day difference from the AP and MPA series in my opinion.
-Bryce
Anchorage, Alaska -
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Just FYI, I buy used guitars in mint condition, because they are so available, and at huge discounts. Last time I looked at these 2 models, I noticed that they sell used at pretty much the same price, even though the Master series is quite a bit higher new. Not sure if that is still the case. I think Guitar Center moves their used gear around the country for free, so there is no shipping costs. Sweetwater, Musicians Friend, and Music 123 as well as other reputable dealers sell used guitars online. Just a thought.
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Barry,
Guitar Center charges customers shipping costs for their used guitars. You can figure approx. $30 on top of the used sale price of the guitar to cover shipping costs throughout the lower 48. I recently bought a couple of guitars from them.
Tim -
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Hi John
I hoped for a shootout between the two models too but unfortunately haven’t been able to find one. If the MPA 70 is better than the 70 AP I played it must be an incredible guitar.
I called into another guitar store over the weekend and played a Yairi parlor priced at 2.5 times the Alvarez, and way preferred the Alvarez (from memory).
I’ll definitely let you know if I manage to get hold of either model. -
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Hi Richard
Yes, that was my concern, that I’d played a great AP 70 that could sound better than an average MPA 70.
I played an AP66 a couple of years ago that didn’t project enough for my style of plectrum playing, the Ap66 felt more like a fingerpicking guitar – but I can’t fingerpick!
The AP 70 sounded like a completely different animal, I agree with you about the different, elegant sound, I preferred it to a Martin EC 00028 they had in the store – why I didn’t have the good sense to buy it on the day is beyond me – too much else on my mind I guess.
I don’t like 1-3/4 neck guitars, don’t like a short 24″ scale, don’t like a 12 fret neck joint, but I loved that little Alvarez.
I’ll definitely let you know if I manage to get hold of one. -
Hi Bryce
Wow, that’s interesting to know, have you managed to play the AP66, AP70 an MPA70 all together as a comparison? I’ll do my best to get my hands on an MPA70!-
I own an AP66. I think it is a great guitar for the money. I use it as a travel guitar/Lake guitar. It has a solid top and laminated sides. Plays nice.
When I visited Brian, I played his MPA70. The construction and sound quality is night and day difference. I recognize that the AP66 is mahogany top and mahogany laminate sides and the MPA70 are solid Rosewood size and solid Spruce top.
Brian had an AP66 there too but I only noodled on it briefly as it played the same as mine. I have not played an AP70.
-Bryce
Anchorage, Alaska
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Hi Barry,
I’m in England so unfortunately wouldn’t be able to use those companies you mentioned due to shipping costs and import duties. Buying each model secondhand and then selling on the ‘least favourite’ would be a great way to sample both guitars together – thanks for the tip, I’ll check out some of the reputable dealers here, the AP70 seems to be a not too uncommon guitar, I suspect getting hold of the MPA70 could be more difficult.
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