Alvarez MDA77CEAR Masterworks Elite Series Acoustic Electric Guitar in Shadowburst

Alvarez MDA77CEAR Masterworks Elite Series Acoustic Electric Guitar in Shadowburst

The Alvarez Masterworks Elite Series MDA77CEARSHB fully lives up to its lofty title, boasting a beautifully unique all-walnut body design, effortless playability, and premium Alvarez construction. A black walnut top and black walnut back/sides make for a somewhat less common timber pairing for an acoustic guitar, but the MDA77CEARSHB’s depth of tone and clear, focused sound prove that it surely matches up to the more traditional tonewood combinations. Next, as you’d expect from an instrument with “Elite” in its title, the MDA77CEARSHB is designed for high-performance playability in mind, sporting a versatile soft “V” to “C” neck carve, easy-playing 380mm fingerboard radius, and a deep cutaway for effortless upper-fret access. Finally, LR Baggs electronics faithfully replicate your acoustic tone when plugged in, all adding up to a 6-string that’s a champion of the studio and the stage!

Articulate all-black walnut body construction

Always looking to innovate, Alvarez's MDA77CEARSHB taps into the unrealized potential of an all-walnut instrument, and one strum of the this guitar proves that their sonic gamble has paid off in spades! This guitar’s black walnut top is a stark departure from a typical spruce top, and it will come as no surprise to the tonewood aficionados in the audience that the MDA77CEARSHB shares much in common with other all-hardwood guitars, especially all-mahogany models. While you do lose some volume compared to a spruce top, this guitar’s black walnut soundboard delivers a warm, mellow tone that’s perfect for fingerpickers, while the black walnut back and sides help tame the low end and keep everything clear, articulate, and balanced.

Soft “V” to “C” neck profile

While most modern manufacturers have switched over to skinny “C”-shaped necks over the years, the substantial heft of a classic “V” profile is perennial favourite for many guitarists! To merge the best of both old and new, Alvarez designed the compound soft “V” to “C” neck profile that starts off chunky but thins out as you slide up the neck. For guitarists who cover a wide variety of sonic styles, this shape delivers incredible flexibility, allowing for both slick upper-register bends and licks, while still comfortably filling out your grip at the base of the guitar’s neck.

Stage-ready LR Baggs electronics

Onboard LR Baggs electronics ensure rich acoustic tone even when amplified. Alvarez has an excellent relationship with the LR Baggs team and chose Element electronics based on their reliability, ease of use, and, of course, tone. Unlike traditional acoustic pickups, the Element preamp delivers a more authentic acoustic tone by mirroring the soundboard’s actual movements and vibrations.

Features:

• All-black walnut body construction produces a warm, mellow tone that remains balanced and articulate across the tonal spectrum
• Mahogany neck carved into a soft “V” to “C” neck profile for both easy open chording and high performance in the upper register
• Smooth Indian laurel fingerboard in a 380mm radius
• Cutaway for easy upper-fret access
• FS6 bracing enhances resonance and response
• LR Baggs VTC preamp and Element pickup faithfully amplify your acoustic tone
• Real bone nut and saddle for enhanced tone and resonance
• 1.75-inch nut width provides plenty of room for fingerpickers
• Slim bevel ebony armrest for enhanced comfort during long sets and practice sessions