teledweller

Keeping it short.... Both guitars came strung up with new D'Addario EXP's (which so happens to be the same strings I use. We're off to a great start.) The MD350 has a good sound, if you live somewhere where its always bright. Though some reviewed it claiming that its sound rivals the sounds of high dollar Taylor's and Martin's, I do not agree. It had one thing in common with Taylor's and that is that its tonality leaned heavily toward the bright side. Its low end lacked bass (you read right) and the low end notes died quickly. It really seems to me like Alvarez tried to make a guitar with a great majority of the focus being on the B and e. I played it for a couple 25 minute intervals before packing it back up. Since every guitar is different, it is possible that I got a dud. However, I found pores on the sides of the guitar that appeared to have been missed during the staining process. Besides that, the Indian Rosewood was absolutely beautiful especially with the tortoise binding. But, it fell in the shadow of the spruce top which I found to be ugly, in my opinion. I hated all the inlays (especially around the sound hole) except for the diamond A on the headstock. That logo always looks good. I felt like the MD60 was really a dumbed down version with a different (and much better looking) top. It also had hideous inlays. It was hard for me to give it more than 15 minutes, but I played it for 25. It's probably not fair that I just played a friend's Seagull 40th anniversary Cedar top. But, it had old strings and still sounded better than the MD60. What did Alvarez get right? I love these new cases! They are practical. Hard, yet they still have a zip pocket; and a big one at that. Summary: Though these guitars have a super appealing clearance price, I believe there are better guitars to be had for $300 - $500. NOTE: I compared these guitars to each other as well as to my '76 Fender F-35 spruce/bubinga dreadnought. I'm sticking with her.

Did you ask the rep when the guitars will be coming in? He said they were supposed to have received them Sunday (08/09/09).

Does anyone know about how many guitars will be coming in to AMS? When I talked to the sales rep just a minute ago, I also pre-ordered an MD60 and he said mine was the 10th backorder. He checked to make sure that they would be getting enough and he said that they will be receiving "plenty enough." I'd go for it. EDIT: Actually, I already went for it.

Really, the MD350 is a great deal too. So good in fact that mine will be here in 3-5 business days. I'm going to compare it to my 1976 Fender F-35 with solid Spruce top and Bubinga sides and back. I'll post here.