Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $890
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Alvarez Masterworks Series MD60 Acoustic Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Alvarez Masterworks Series MD60 Acoustic Guitar is a modern nod to the classic dreadnoughts of Bluegrass tradition, designed with both tone and aesthetics in mind. This guitar delivers a compelling blend of rich, resonant sound and timeless style, perfect for flatpickers and strummers alike. With a solid AAA Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the MD60 offers a powerful bass response coupled with clear, sparkling trebles, making it a versatile choice for various musical genres.
Its design pays homage to vintage guitars with features like vintage-style open-gear tuners, a tortoiseshell pickguard, and a single 12th-fret mother-of-pearl inlay that adds a touch of elegance. The guitar's mahogany neck transitions from a soft “V” to “C” shape, providing comfortable chording and playability for all styles. The FS6 spruce bracing pattern enhances the guitar’s low-end tonality, offering a robust and balanced sound.
The Alvarez MD60 also stands out visually with its traditional herringbone purfling and ABS binding, making it as much a pleasure to look at as it is to play. Whether on stage or in your living room, this guitar is crafted to cater to the needs of creative musicians, promising a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
Key Features:
- Solid AAA Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides
- FS6 spruce bracing for enhanced low-end tonality
- Comfortable mahogany neck with a soft “V” to “C” profile
- Indian laurel fingerboard with ivory ABS binding
- Vintage-style open-gear tuners
- Traditional herringbone purfling and rosette
- Natural bone nut and saddle for reduced buzz and natural response
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Back & Sides Wood | African Mahogany |
| Top Wood | Solid AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Top Finish | Gloss |
| Body Bracing | FS6 Forward Shifted |
| Binding | Herringbone |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Soft V to a C shape |
| Radius | 14.96" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Abaline and Mother of Pearl |
| Number of Frets | 21, Nickel Silver |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Bone |
| Bridge Material | Indian Rosewood |
| Tuning Machines | Alvarez, 20:1 |
| Strings | D'Addario XTAPB1253, .012-.053 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Gig Bag |
FAQs
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What type of wood is used in the construction of the Alvarez Masterworks Series MD60?
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The Alvarez Masterworks Series MD60 features a solid AAA Sitka spruce top and African mahogany back and sides, providing a rich and balanced tone with excellent projection.
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What is the neck profile of the Alvarez MD60, and how does it affect playability?
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The neck of the Alvarez MD60 transitions from a soft V to a C shape, offering a comfortable grip for both chord playing and fingerstyle techniques, making it versatile for various playing styles.
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How does the FS6 Forward Shifted bracing affect the sound of the MD60?
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The FS6 Forward Shifted bracing enhances the guitar's resonance and projection, delivering a robust and full-bodied sound ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking.
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Is the Alvarez MD60 suitable for live performances?
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The Alvarez MD60, with its dreadnought body shape and quality tonewoods, provides excellent volume and clarity, making it suitable for live performances and recording sessions.
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Does the Alvarez MD60 come with a case or gig bag?
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Yes, the Alvarez MD60 comes with a gig bag, offering protection and easy transport for the guitar.
Videos
World Music Supply
Alvarez MD60 & MD60C Acoustic Guitar Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Superb sound quality, rivaling more expensive models like Martin D18.
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Excellent craftsmanship with attention to detail.
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All-solid wood construction provides rich tone and resonance.
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Neck is comfortable and easy to play, ideal for extended sessions.
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Holds tuning extremely well, even after intense playing.
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Loud projection with deep bass, great for bluegrass and strumming.
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Beautiful aesthetics, making it visually appealing.
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Affordable price for the quality offered.
CONS
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Requires setup out of the box; may arrive with buzzing strings.
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Misleading origin information; made in China despite expectations of Japanese craftsmanship.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Alvarez Masterworks Series MD60 Acoustic Guitar.
Build quality
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The Alvarez MD60 is noted for having subpar tuning machines, which some owners find inadequate for heavier string gauges like .013-.056.
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Some owners report sharp fret edges, requiring self-filing for smoother playability.
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Some owners have reported bridge plate and bracing issues, leading to excessive bellying and neck warping over time.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend switching to phosphor bronze strings for a warmer tone, with specific mention of D'Addario XS phosphor bronze as an option.
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Features and functionality
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The MD60 features a 1.75-inch nut width, which some fingerstyle players find suitable, despite the guitar being marketed primarily for flat-picking.
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Comparisons
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The MD60 is compared to a "poor man's D-18," highlighting its value and versatility despite being designed with a bluegrass focus.
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The MD60BG is noted as a "canon" for bass notes, contrasting with other models like the MFA66shb for different tonal preferences.
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The MF60OM is noted for its shorter scale and wider fretboard, making it potentially more suitable for fingerstyle compared to the dreadnought models.
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The Yamaha FG/FS 3 models and LL/LS 16 models are suggested as better quality alternatives at a similar price point to the Alvarez MD60.
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Value and pricing
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Purchased new for around $700 two years ago, the MD60 now retails at approximately $800, indicating a slight price increase over time.
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Setup and maintenance
Use cases and applications
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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