Alvarez Bluegrass Special Banjo Reviews
Alvarez Bluegrass Special
submitted 1/3/2010
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Submitter |
Whosepickinthebanjerhere? (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Free from Good old Dad |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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Mine is a late 70's and for an entry level instument it sound very good. Nice full tone open or chorded downstream but a bit sharp up the neck. Stays in tune well and fairly sturdy. |
Sound Rating |
6 |
Setup
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I took banjo completely apart and cleaned it, put it back together and tightened everything up. Set up was really easy upon reassembly. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
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Nice looking...bowtie inlay and mine has the snowflake on the headstock with old style spaghetti logo. Rather plain but not cheap looking. Nice looking banjo-finish has taken on a cloudy appearance mostly back of resonator. I believe the wood is mahoghany. No rust but it does have the aforementioned cloudy appearance on resonator back. It has held up well for a 30+ year old instrument |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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It is a reliable piece....sturdy and stays in tune. Finish is heavy and durable, but does not impede on the sound. I never would use ANYTHING on a gig without a backup!! LOL |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Tuning machines are shite....probably tone ring, resonator. neck flange etc. could be upgraded but then you might as well buy a more expensive banjo to begin with. For the money, I think it sounds good. This banjer retailed for around 260.00 in 1979. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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A great beginner banjo and a good backup for playing out. Not a banjo to record with but a good piece for the money.
BTW, some of these banjos came stock with a truss rod cover that said "Custom Made".Nothing on this banjo is custom except for maybe that truss rod cover!! The older ones are a bit more desirable than the newer ones but that's par for the course with any instrument. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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Alvarez Bluegrass Special
submitted 12/3/2008
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Submitter |
DENNISNDODIE (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Willis Music |
Year Purchased |
1987 |
Price Paid |
375 ($US) |
Sound
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Sound was good for a beginner very loud but not very crisp up the neck was very flat.With a good set up would sound a little better had a steel tone ring. |
Sound Rating |
5 |
Setup
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no set up action was good |
Setup Rating |
5 |
Appearance
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Simple looking but looked good very shiny chrome had it for a couple yrs and it still looked good and after many hours of practice. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
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Never had a problem with it |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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Willis music is good.Sometimes a little slow with customer service |
Customer Service |
8 |
Components
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Never had any problems |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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Good beginner banjo looks good plays good sounds ok quality parts traded it in on a Flatiron Montana Rose which was not much better. |
Overall Rating |
6 |
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