1970s Alvarez 5055 (Japan-made) J-200 Copy Jumbo Guitar

Well, it's clear what this guitar is trying to ape. It both looks like a J-200 and sounds a lot like one, too, overall. Design differences, however, add-up to this guitar being its own thing. Compared to the "real deal" these are a bit airier and have a sound that's a bit more to the point and forward. They're perfect "band" guitars for a leader/singer because they suit a heavy-handed strummer whose chords need to be heard through a mix.

This is one of the cleanest 5055 models I've had through the shop and it's entirely-original and even sports an original hard case in superb shape. These guitars keep getting more and more popular and the prices just keep going up and up. Check out the pretty inlay in the board and the "checked" purfling at the binding. The flowers at the pickguard are actually backed with a thin layer of pearly material, too, so they catch the light like crazy.

Post-work this one plays perfectly and has a good, strong sound.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, minor adjustment to the saddle and string ramping added to the bridge, and a setup.

Setup notes: action is spot-on at 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE height at the 12th fret. The neck is straight and the truss rod works.

Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

String spacing at nut: 1 7/16"

String spacing at bridge: 2 1/8"

Body length: 20 5/8"

Lower bout width: 17 1/8"

Side depth at endpin: 4 7/8"

Top wood: ply spruce

Back & sides wood: ply flamed maple

Bracing type: x

Fretboard: rosewood

Bridge: rosewood

Neck feel: slim-to-medium C-shape, ~12" board radius

Neck wood: 3-piece maple

Weight: 4 lb 14 oz

Condition notes: it's very clean throughout but it does have a non-original endpin jack (but no pickup) installed. There's only the most minor of usewear here and there.