Alvarez: B1

Submitted by ttocswob on 1/14/2010

Where Purchased: Musicians Friend

Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: 799 ($US)

Sound

Traditional bluegrass banjo sound and setup. Bright, loud, and full tone at any position.

"Rich" only comes with age. I'll get back in a few years

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Action playable right out of the box, although I did tighten the head some. Strings surprisingly low, yet no fret buzz!

Intonation good enough, although I'll probably adjust to my favorite strings - D'Addario J61 Med. I compensate my own bridges. May add a Grover bridge later.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

Beautiful Instrument! All maple, flame maple resonator. Neck and resonator "almost" orange - UT fan, I like it! Woodwork gets a "10"

The inlays are exquisite - "Tree of Life" on the ebony fretboard, very smooth, although a little "black filler" shows and rubs off on fingertips. Very intricate headstock inlays. All iridescent mother of pearl, almost abalone. Inlays get a "9-1/2"

Metal - everything except the frets plated bright gold - Including the tone ring, even the coordinator rods. A few small nicks on the flange. Metal gets a "9"

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

Concerned about gold plate, from past experience - time will tell.
Fit and finish excellent, a very solid banjo.

"Made in China" sticker easily removed!

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

No direct experience, but a couple of concerns:
Alvarez web site is dated, last update in 2007.
Online registration dated, would not let me select "2010"
I bought the B1 as a closeout special.
Lifetime warranty - hope Alvarez stays around to honor it.
I don't anticipate ever needing service, anyway.

Customer Service: 6

Components

Std. "Mastertone" style hardware, planetary keys pearl/gold, geared 5th peg. Remo Weather King head.

Bell brass tone ring is gold plated, I wish it wasn't for tone's sake, but that's just me.

Overall, best I've ever seen for under $1000

Upgrade only for personal preference.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

$799 is closeout price. Worth much more.

Now discontinued at Musicians Friend, but other sites had it listed.

Buy one if you can!

Overall Rating: 9