Hi John
I had a newer Alvarez a couple of years ago. I think the Model number was
4280, but I'm not sure about that. It was made in Korea. It didn't have a
tone ring, just a thin wooden pot assembly. It wasn't a bad banjo, and
probably costs around $350-$400 new. The best thing about it was that it
stayed in tune pretty well and had geared tuners all the way around. The
drawback to the banjo was that it didn't have much bite, which became
obvious when I started playing with other people. It also had a rather fat
neck, especially up the neck. This became more of an issue when I got a
little more advanced and started using my thumb to fret the 5th string.
Nonetheless, the banjo was good enough for me get started on.
4280, but I'm not sure about that. It was made in Korea. It didn't have a
tone ring, just a thin wooden pot assembly. It wasn't a bad banjo, and
probably costs around $350-$400 new. The best thing about it was that it
stayed in tune pretty well and had geared tuners all the way around. The
drawback to the banjo was that it didn't have much bite, which became
obvious when I started playing with other people. It also had a rather fat
neck, especially up the neck. This became more of an issue when I got a
little more advanced and started using my thumb to fret the 5th string.
Nonetheless, the banjo was good enough for me get started on.
I have also played a few of the Alvarez's from the 1970's. I think they
were all imported from Japan and are essentially copies of the higher end
American made banjos and come with some type of alloy tone ring.
were all imported from Japan and are essentially copies of the higher end
American made banjos and come with some type of alloy tone ring.
82398, and an LB70 bass built in 1998 has a serial number of 63094. The following chart of serial numbers contains several overlaps in num-bers. The numbers recorded represent the lowest and highest numbers found for each year. More possibilities exist. Carvin suggests dating your guitar by certain features rather than the serial number. This used, 1988 Alvarez 5 String Banjo is a great player with a big sound and a nice price. The Mahogany resonator has a beautiful, subtle burst and rings of classic inlay. It's also bound front and back with ivory colored binding. The Mahogany neck is bound as well and has a nice feel with very little wear.
Alvarez Banjo Catalog
I believe some of the models like the Denver Belle are pretty good import
banjos and may be on the same level as Sagas, Washburns, and Epiphones from
the same era. I'm not positive about this, but I think these banjos come
with dual coordinator rods, planetary tuners and a geared 5th tuner.
banjos and may be on the same level as Sagas, Washburns, and Epiphones from
the same era. I'm not positive about this, but I think these banjos come
with dual coordinator rods, planetary tuners and a geared 5th tuner.
The more common banjos with the Alvarez name are probably not as good as the
Sagas and Washburns. They often have the word 'Deluxe' on the headstock.
I've seen several banjos with different brand names including Dorado and
Epiphone that were made by the same manufacturer. These banjos have
friction pegs (undesirable) on the fifth string, which can be replaced for
about $50 by any music store. In my opinion, these banjo are definitely
better than the ones being imported from Korea today. They have tone rings,
pretty nice necks (although they can vary from one model to another), and
they can be set up to sound pretty good, especially if you really crank down
on the head. The link below is an Alvarez banjo that was offered on ebay a
little while ago, which matches the description I've given in this
paragraph. If you do go for one of these, just make sure its got a
straight kneck, and not too much fretware.
Sagas and Washburns. They often have the word 'Deluxe' on the headstock.
I've seen several banjos with different brand names including Dorado and
Epiphone that were made by the same manufacturer. These banjos have
friction pegs (undesirable) on the fifth string, which can be replaced for
about $50 by any music store. In my opinion, these banjo are definitely
better than the ones being imported from Korea today. They have tone rings,
pretty nice necks (although they can vary from one model to another), and
they can be set up to sound pretty good, especially if you really crank down
on the head. The link below is an Alvarez banjo that was offered on ebay a
little while ago, which matches the description I've given in this
paragraph. If you do go for one of these, just make sure its got a
straight kneck, and not too much fretware.
Alvarez Banjo For Sale
Alvarez Banjo Review
Alvarez Banjo Serial Number Lookup
> This is a really open ended question, but I'm going to ask it anyway.
>
> What are some general comments on Alvarez banjos? Quality of workmanship?
> Playability (I'm a newbie, playing less than a year, looking to upgrade
from
> a Goodtime)? Tone? Value? Resale? Does the year of manuf. matter? Any
> particular questions I should be asking the seller?
>
> I've seen some very reasonably priced ones around.
>
> Thanks!
>
>