Alvarez Laureate Series Guitars

The Laureate Series is Alvarez's homage to acoustic design from the turn of the 20th century. This means sticking to time-tested body shapes like dreadnought, 00, and parlour, pioneered by artists from the late 1800s to 1930s. Think the sounds & styles of classic folk, country, delta blues, and gypsy jazz.

Design-wise, the Laureate range opts for a different set of rules from much of Alvarez's line-up. A traditional-style single-level bridge (rather than their bi-level design) harks back to early stringed-instrument design for tighter resonance and a minimalist appearance. Every piece of tonewood is hand-selected, from the AAA American Sitka Spruce tops to the solid Mahogany or Indian Rosewood backs. The FS6 bracing on the Laureate guitars is hand-finished quartersawn Sitka Spruce - extra attention to detail simply means superior tone.

The final touch is a refreshed approach to finishes. Improving their sanding and painting process meant that Alvarez could adorn their Laureate guitars with the thinnest clearcoat they've ever had, giving each guitar a lush vintage sheen. A selection of early-century-inspired burst finishes complete the picture - an instrument that feels wonderful in the hands and sings with classic resonance that far outweighs its price point.