Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar

The AF30 is Alvarez's entry-level solid top but it’s anything but entry-level in terms of quality, tone and finish.

Each model is designed to get the best out if its components, and for them to work together to produce balance, lively projection and great response. These components include Alvarez's FST2 bracing system, bi-level rosewood bridge, real bone nut and saddle, great quality tone woods and thin finish.

FST2 is a forward shifted X brace design, this means the axis of the X is closer to the sound hole and therefore creates a larger soundboard area allowing for more energy and vibration to be harnessed. Both the X braces and asymmetric tone bars are carefully scalloped. The scalloping design was the result of years of continual development in the Yairi workshops.

Along with a more angled headstock, Alvarez's bi-level bridge increases string tension by making the break angel of the strings from the saddle to the top more acute. Improved string tension adds to the sound, feel and response, which are also heightened by the use of real bone nuts and saddles.