Alvarez AD60 Review

– Tuning Machines

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On this Alvarez AD60, the tuning machines are simple but effective, they’re die cast, made of chrome, and have a closed gear design.

• Material: Chrome
• Design: Closed gear

The tuning machines (or “tuners”) are one of the most important parts of the hardware on any guitar.

They’re responsible for keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the right pitch.

Poor-quality tuning machines can cause your guitar to quickly fall out of tune and be tough to stay in tune.

They can also make changing strings more difficult, as well as making the guitar more hard to play in general.

Must Remember:

Good tuning machines are made of strong and durable materials and have a precise and smooth action.

You should look for materials that are less susceptible to rust, such as nickel-plated steel or stainless steel.

These materials are also less likely to tarnish, extending the life of your instrument.

– Pickguard

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The Alvarez AD60 has a black pickguard with a black design.

• Color: Black
• Design: Black

The pickguard is a little piece of plastic or metal that is positioned near the strings on the body of the guitar.

Its purpose is to protect the finish of the guitar from being scratched by the pick as you play.

Most pickguards are composed of plastic or metal, and in some cases, carbon fiber, and come in many different styles.

A decent pickguard should be built of a robust material that can sustain regular use when it comes to protection.

It should also be placed in such a way that it is likely to protect the guitar’s body from scratches produced by the player’s pick.

In terms of appearance, a pickguard should also blend in with the guitar’s general design and complement the overall aesthetic of the instrument.

It should neither be too small nor too low-quality, as this would make it look out of place.

– Strap Buttons

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#REF!

• Material: Chrome
• Position: Bottom and back of heel
• Design: Classic

Strap buttons is what we call the little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.

One on either side of the body, most guitars will generally feature two strap buttons.

Metal strap buttons should be durable and sturdy so that they do not come loose over time.

Even though the quality of the strap buttons isn’t a deal-breaker for the majority of folks, it’s still something to consider.

Body

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The neck, bridge, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.

A hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can resonate from within the instrument can also be found here.

The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).

– Wood

If you’re seeking for a specific tone, the type of wood chosen for the body can alter the sound of the guitar.

#REF!

– Finish

The final layer of protection for the wood of the guitar body is the body finish.

When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a gloss finish.

This is what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.

You’ll encounter a variety of finishes, including the following:

• Polyurethane
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Polyester

Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.

It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.

Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.

Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:

• Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.

• Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.

• Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.

– Colors Available

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The color of a guitar’s body is typically not a significant factor in the overall tone.

However, it can be a factor in the look and feel of the instrument.

Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.

Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:

• Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
• Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
• Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.

– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins

The Alvarez AD60 has a standard pin bridge with black-colored polyphenylene sulfide (pps) plastic pins and a saddle made of real bone.

Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.

For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring string vibrations to the guitar’s body.

The saddle, which is often composed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.

And the pins are what hold the strings in place.

There are many different types of bridges, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are three primary types of bridges used on acoustic guitars:

• Pin bridges (standard)
• Pinless bridges
• Classical bridge

Pin bridges are the most prominent type of bridge and the simplest to rebuild and replace.

However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.

Pinless bridges are less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.

They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.

Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.

They are similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.

Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.

Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.

Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:

• Plastic bridge pins
• Steel bridge pins
• Brass bridge pins

Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they’re also the least durable.

Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable.

Neck

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#REF!

The guitar’s neck is the long, thin piece that runs from the body to the headstock.

Since different woods have distinct qualities that influence how the vibrations created by the strings behave, the type of wood chosen for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound.

The most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or fastened onto the body of the guitar.

Another popular type is the set-neck, which is glued to the body.

The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all crucial components of a guitar neck.

Fretboard

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The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push down on the strings.

It is often made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or metal.

#REF!

Even though this has always been a big debate, it is generally agreed that the type of wood that’s used for the fretboard can slightly affect the sound of the guitar.

For instance, maple is a popular material for electric guitars because it tends to produce a very sharp tone.

Rosewood is another popular choice, and it’s often used on acoustic guitars because it gives the instrument a warm and full sound.

Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars with a very clean, clear tone.

There are several types of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.

The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone will not change dramatically, but the feel will.

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