I just got one. A early Christmas/b-day gift. From my wife. I play electric all the time. But the parlor size acoustic’s have always got my attention. I love this particular instrument. Shadow burst is awesome. And the tone is sweet. I am more inspired to play. I have it hanging on my wall. Ready to go. When I feel the need. Inside/outside. 😎👍✌️
Been eyeing up that exact model/color, for a few months now. Nice to see an honest review of one. That thing sounds like it could fight above it's weight class. And looks amazing too.
some smaller guitars play and sound very good and are worth adding electronics to (maybe $100-150) for stage play. Alvarez is good quality and design. Mid 300s new.
Congratulations for your 2nd shot. I just got my first, and I have to wait for my 2nd until end of July. I suppose I overpaid when I bought my PRS parlour guitar. The Alvarez is about 100 € cheaper, if you can get one. So many guitars listed in the shops are currently sold out.
Thanks - glad you're getting yours in a month or so. I haven't seen a PRS parlour yet - do you like it. They are a bit expensive - but I'm thinking they must use higher quality wood cuts and materials.
@@FlowforthInstruments If you ask if I like it - yes but I still have a mixed opinion about the PRS parlour guitar. They do some some things right and some things not. First the pro's: the sound is beautiful, slightly warm and woody with lots of midrange but without sounding too dull or muted. Maybe their special hybrid of X and fan bracing plays a role in that. I play fingerstyle with my nails, so this sound profile suits me well. Many spruce/rosewood guitars tend to sound too scratchy or harsh for my ears when I play them. I also appreciate it that this beautiful sound is achieved with a more robust laminated back and sides construction so I can take the guitar out to campfires. The look is beautiful, especially with the PRS bird inlays on the fretboard. I have the all black model which they skipped for a tobacco sunburst design that is also beautiful. The nut is only 43 mm which is not the preferred size for fingerstyle playing but once I got accustomed to it, I find it is more fun to play than a wider, bigger neck. It feels faster. I also comes with a decent gigbag. Finish and build quality are immaculate except for one annoying issue. So, here are the cons: PRS are selling dry wine and call it sweet . They do not specify the narrow nut width but call their neck shape "wide fat". No problem if you buy in a shop but IMHO a dirty trick towards online buyers. The truss rod cap is fixed with only one tiny screw whereas 2 or 3 would be industry standard. I my case, it fell off on the first day I had it. The drillhole was lengthwise open towards the scallop that the cap covers. The screw stuck in the headstock only 2 mm deep with its tip. So, if you decide to purchase one I would advise you to have a look beneath the truss rod cap and maybe replace the screw with a longer one, which I did. PRS seems to have a good reputation among electric guitar players. I watched the Paul Reed Smith interview on RUclips and I got the impression of a person who's success might have gone to his head. After I fixed the truss rod cap issue, I am very happy with the guitar but I probably will not buy from them again.
I love Alvarez guitars! I have a late 70's, or early 80's nylon string full size. Alvarez have a sound all their own. Bigger is one of the few words I can find to describe it. Now I want a parlor... Lol... I think I've become a collector...
@@FlowforthInstruments That's one of my dreams, to have a Yairi! Will have to save quite a while, but it'd be very worth it. I have a quarter size Caramel , all solid mahogany, and I'm constantly amazed at the sound... such a big sound, rich, resonant... I can only imagine what a Yairi would sound like, in person. So I'll keep dreaming...
Great demo. Thank you! You mention that you are a big fan of parlor guitars? That said... what is your favorite in the $500 to $1000 range? I'm just getting started with shopping for a parlor guitar. Thanks so much!
bout skipeed this thinking it was older because the beard haha. Traded my 1/2 size oscar for a jasmine dread, next i want a nicer quality parlor, this is pretty nice sounding, love the slotted headstock
I had it on my Reverb page after the video but it sold quickly. My favourite is still the James Neligan LIS P model - and also some of the Washburn vintage parlour reissues.
Have you ever found much of a tonal difference between the African "mahoganies" e.g. Khaya, Sapele, Okoume..? Most companies nowadays state mahogany on their specs so it's hard to know which is which...
Good question. I find that many guitar companies are inconsistent in their specs concerning Mahogany, often interchanging those distinctions ad hoc. For instance, Okoume is African Mahogany (Cameroon/Gabon), much of which grown on plantations. Sapele (Honduras I think) is said to be more durable - less liable to rot - which is why it might be becoming very popular in cheap guitar and ukulele production these days. I believe Khaya (also African) is harder to get - and much more durable. Some guitar companies make these distinctions - others just use catch all terms like 'African Mahogany' - which could be a number of varieties.
Hello mate, thanks for your video. Do you know how this plays versus the Alvarez Blues51 or OO? Also, any opinion on how it compares to the Harley Benton parlors (all solid mahogany, java or koa?)?
Not expensive guitar but not impressed. Sounds dull like a 120$ guitar. I have couple of guitars and my cheap 350$ Takamine sounds waaaaaaay better. But from the other hand you cant be too "anal" about stuff and guitars. You can probably find usage for it very easily. Thats why Pro musicians use 50 guitars in studios. One is never enough and especially for all.
I just got one. A early Christmas/b-day gift. From my wife. I play electric all the time. But the parlor size acoustic’s have always got my attention.
I love this particular instrument. Shadow burst is awesome. And the tone is sweet.
I am more inspired to play. I have it hanging on my wall. Ready to go. When I feel the need. Inside/outside. 😎👍✌️
Glad you got a good one!
@@FlowforthInstruments really love it. Been playing it for 2 months now. Fun to get down on some blues with it.😎✌️
Been eyeing up that exact model/color, for a few months now. Nice to see an honest review of one. That thing sounds like it could fight above it's weight class. And looks amazing too.
It's very punchy for a parlour - I really liked it.
some smaller guitars play and sound very good and are worth adding electronics to (maybe $100-150) for stage play. Alvarez is good quality and design. Mid 300s new.
@@DougHinVA Yes, great company - very consistent.
Congratulations for your 2nd shot. I just got my first, and I have to wait for my 2nd until end of July.
I suppose I overpaid when I bought my PRS parlour guitar. The Alvarez is about 100 € cheaper, if you can get one. So many guitars listed in the shops are currently sold out.
Thanks - glad you're getting yours in a month or so. I haven't seen a PRS parlour yet - do you like it. They are a bit expensive - but I'm thinking they must use higher quality wood cuts and materials.
@@FlowforthInstruments If you ask if I like it - yes but I still have a mixed opinion about the PRS parlour guitar. They do some some things right and some things not. First the pro's: the sound is beautiful, slightly warm and woody with lots of midrange but without sounding too dull or muted. Maybe their special hybrid of X and fan bracing plays a role in that. I play fingerstyle with my nails, so this sound profile suits me well. Many spruce/rosewood guitars tend to sound too scratchy or harsh for my ears when I play them. I also appreciate it that this beautiful sound is achieved with a more robust laminated back and sides construction so I can take the guitar out to campfires. The look is beautiful, especially with the PRS bird inlays on the fretboard. I have the all black model which they skipped for a tobacco sunburst design that is also beautiful. The nut is only 43 mm which is not the preferred size for fingerstyle playing but once I got accustomed to it, I find it is more fun to play than a wider, bigger neck. It feels faster. I also comes with a decent gigbag. Finish and build quality are immaculate except for one annoying issue.
So, here are the cons: PRS are selling dry wine and call it sweet . They do not specify the narrow nut width but call their neck shape "wide fat". No problem if you buy in a shop but IMHO a dirty trick towards online buyers. The truss rod cap is fixed with only one tiny screw whereas 2 or 3 would be industry standard. I my case, it fell off on the first day I had it. The drillhole was lengthwise open towards the scallop that the cap covers. The screw stuck in the headstock only 2 mm deep with its tip. So, if you decide to purchase one I would advise you to have a look beneath the truss rod cap and maybe replace the screw with a longer one, which I did.
PRS seems to have a good reputation among electric guitar players. I watched the Paul Reed Smith interview on RUclips and I got the impression of a person who's success might have gone to his head. After I fixed the truss rod cap issue, I am very happy with the guitar but I probably will not buy from them again.
@@thomasgaida7174 I look forward to checking one out at some point. I just got an SE Mark Tremonti and will review that soon.
It sounds good.
Glad you got your shots, brother
Thanks man - hope you got yours too.
thanks again - you always do a great job. seems like many of the gutiars i like - you like - Kremona etc Michael
Great minds and all that...
I love Alvarez guitars! I have a late 70's, or early 80's nylon string full size. Alvarez have a sound all their own. Bigger is one of the few words I can find to describe it. Now I want a parlor... Lol... I think I've become a collector...
Alvarez makes some good guitars but I particularly like the ones made by Kazuo Yairi.
@@FlowforthInstruments That's one of my dreams, to have a Yairi! Will have to save quite a while, but it'd be very worth it. I have a quarter size Caramel , all solid mahogany, and I'm constantly amazed at the sound... such a big sound, rich, resonant... I can only imagine what a Yairi would sound like, in person. So I'll keep dreaming...
@@winterwillows2056 Keep your eye out - I sometimes see Yairis going on eBay now and again.
@@FlowforthInstruments Thanks for the tip! I'll keep an eye out. I'd so love to have one...
Great demo. Thank you! You mention that you are a big fan of parlor guitars? That said... what is your favorite in the $500 to $1000 range? I'm just getting started with shopping for a parlor guitar. Thanks so much!
My favourite parlour is my James Neligan LIS P model, which I've done a couple of videos about. They are about $450.
Thanks for this. I have one also. Not perfect but looks and sounds great for the money 😁
Not a bad little parlour.
This!
This!
bout skipeed this thinking it was older because the beard haha. Traded my 1/2 size oscar for a jasmine dread, next i want a nicer quality parlor, this is pretty nice sounding, love the slotted headstock
I had it on my Reverb page after the video but it sold quickly. My favourite is still the James Neligan LIS P model - and also some of the Washburn vintage parlour reissues.
Have you ever found much of a tonal difference between the African "mahoganies" e.g. Khaya, Sapele, Okoume..? Most companies nowadays state mahogany on their specs so it's hard to know which is which...
Good question. I find that many guitar companies are inconsistent in their specs concerning Mahogany, often interchanging those distinctions ad hoc. For instance, Okoume is African Mahogany (Cameroon/Gabon), much of which grown on plantations. Sapele (Honduras I think) is said to be more durable - less liable to rot - which is why it might be becoming very popular in cheap guitar and ukulele production these days. I believe Khaya (also African) is harder to get - and much more durable. Some guitar companies make these distinctions - others just use catch all terms like 'African Mahogany' - which could be a number of varieties.
Looking good. Maybe you look 20? Lol. I don't think you can ever go wrong with Alvarez! Love them. Thanks for the video.
Ha - I'd settle for 20 x 2 - Alvarez are very reliable.
I want that guitar! Sweet potato pie!
It's a nice guitar - sold immediately.
Hello mate, thanks for your video. Do you know how this plays versus the Alvarez Blues51 or OO? Also, any opinion on how it compares to the Harley Benton parlors (all solid mahogany, java or koa?)?
I haven't had a Blues 51 and my Harley Benton parlour was much better than this model. It's decent but there are better options out there.
May I ask which Harley Benton model you have in mind?@@FlowforthInstruments...or other options in this price range you would recommend? Thanks
@@TheSharkypeto www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_clf_200_wn.htm?glp=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0E5MdtgJhpl70rSj1cV2zVBk2YCrFpPDvKhe_9JPNdsFRXWmaacTNBoCmNkQAvD_BwE
@@TheSharkypeto or if you can find a James Neligan LIS-P Parlour....
What is the total length of this guitar in cm?
I no longer have it to measure for you.
Could you tell me if the neck is thin or thick please? Thank you 🙏🏽
It's been a while since I had this - but I think it was a fairly slendour neck. Probably 1 11/16" nut.
Are you still glad you got the jab or are you still with us? I hope so.
Yes and yes!
Bet you regret promoting that shot now. No, I didn’t get mine, because I don’t trust snakes
Here to laugh at you😂
Did it make you feel better?
I regret nothing!
Ditto. I don't like casinos.
great review, but why you're pushing magic potion injections during it is stupid.
Because I always choose science and data over conspiracy and wish fulfillment....
Came here for a guitar review, left because all I'm hearing is covid BS
Gee. Are you ever going to play it so we can hear what the guitar says and not you?
Well, it's also an information channel... and most people seem to appreciate it. I might have played it on another video.
Not expensive guitar but not impressed. Sounds dull like a 120$ guitar. I have couple of guitars and my cheap 350$ Takamine sounds waaaaaaay better. But from the other hand you cant be too "anal" about stuff and guitars. You can probably find usage for it very easily. Thats why Pro musicians use 50 guitars in studios. One is never enough and especially for all.
Keep in mind that compressed video sound coming through computer speakers is not a good indication of true sound.
shot? what shot?
Cheers!
@@FlowforthInstruments hi