Price Paid for Alvarez DY-57 : $200 USD (used)
Description of Alvarez DY-57 : Acoustic made in Japan. Datestamped 12/1975. Solid spruce top, either mahogany or redwood sides and back (previous information says mahog, repair guy says rosewood). Traditional dreadnought, pretty but plain soundhole design.
Tone of Alvarez DY-57 :
Comments: Bought at a musical pawnshop in 1982, played it in the subways of Boston for the next 7 years and still play it to this date just for kicks. Sweetest sounding guitar I've ever played. Some folks have trouble with high action but maybe this one's just built differently, since it has the lowest action of all guitars I've ever tried. Using med-light strings (top to bottom) I can play the range between fingerpicked classical and rockabilly and even a bit of accoustic Led Zep with ease. Resonation is outstanding. It's definitely not the ""prettiest"" looking guitar out there, but it trades looks for sound quality and playability, and that's just fine by me.
Quality of Alvarez DY-57 :
Comments about Alvarez DY-57 : It's old. It is therefore flawed. But no splits, no cracks, no stains, no body warping, the neck has *never* needed adjusting. Bridge cracked eventually, got it replaced with a Martin bridge and it's better than ever now.
Overall Opinions of Alvarez DY-57 :
Pros: It's been assessed at around $700, so I'd say I got a danged good deal. The only other ""brand name"" guitar I owned was a Fender, and it was a junk model so it would be unfair to compare.
Cons: Honestly? Maybe if it had some mother of pearl inlay on the fret dots or something to make it look just a wee bit prettier. But I prefer function over fashion, and there are no cons, functionally.

Submitted by:
Roberta Ricciardi)
Playing Experience:
over ten years
Musical Tastes:
classical classic rock folk

Price Paid for Alvarez DY-57 : $325 USD (used)
Description of Alvarez DY-57 : I bought my Yairi used in 1975, have replaced the pick gaurd 3times and bridge once. Other than repair shop techs damaging the finish this guitar is the best I have owned and played. That included the Guilds and Ovations. Great tone that has only gained richness and depth of tone. Easy fingering and easy adjustments make this my favorite. Would not sell or trade.
Tone of Alvarez DY-57 :
Comments:
Quality of Alvarez DY-57 :
Comments about Alvarez DY-57 :
Overall Opinions of Alvarez DY-57 :
Pros:
Cons:

Submitted by:
Tom Webb
Playing Experience:
over ten years
Musical Tastes:
blues classic rock country folk pop

[Submit Alvarez DY-57 Review or Other Guitar Review]