1970s Alvarez 5055 Jumbo Guitar

I can't even remember how many of these big, Japanese-made, J-200-lookalike, Alvarez jumbos I've worked-on, now. I've seen a lot of them through the shop, anyhow, and in all sorts of branding. This one definitely has "the look" of a gig-worthy strummer as it's been played-in a lot and has a friendly feel to it.

Ancel and I tag-teamed this -- I reset the neck and he did the fret level/dress and setup side of the work. It's now playing spot-on and is ready to serve.

I think these guitars are perfectly suited to players who want something sturdy, functional, and practical for day-to-day, rough-and-tumble use but also want to have some bling at the same time. The pickguards on these (with their iridescent flowers) are very cool and these instruments definitely project that countrified, J-200 air... at least from a dozen feet away!

It's funny but there's a modern Chinese knockoff J-200 in the shop, a '90s Gibson SJ-200 in the shop, and this guy all at the same time and each guitar is definitely its "own thing" despite having a similar overall body shape and measurements and bracing. These Alvarez models have some of the same vibe but I'd say the honest truth is that this model is more like a blend of a Yamaha FG-180 sort-of sound mixed with the more even, mids-heavy response of a '70s J-200 (vs. the tubbiness of some of the '60s ones). They're good "thumper-strummer" instruments.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, new compensated saddle, and setup.

• Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 25 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: slim-medium C oval
• Board radius: 10"
• Body width: 17"
• Body depth: 4 5/8"
• Top wood: ply spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply flamed maple
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: 3-piece maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-lower

Condition notes: it has a bunch of pickwear at the soundhole and general usewear throughout the finish -- small nicks, dings, and scratches. The finish has aged to a buttery-yellow color that's pretty nice, too. The plastic parts have aged, a strap button was added at the heel, and the nut may be a replacement from yesteryear, too, though I'm not sure. The tuners work fine but they're not the best quality. The original adjustable saddle was damaged and so my guy Ancel made a new, compensated rosewood one that fits in the (wide) adjustable saddle slot.

It comes with: a ragged old chip case.

Consignor tag: MM