You’ve landed on Alvarez, and now you’re staring at a lineup with no clear way in. The brand has built its name on acoustic guitars that punch above their price, but the model names give little away.
Here’s the shortcut. The Artist series brings solid spruce tops and onboard pickups for players who want stage-ready tone, while the Regent series keeps things cheap with laminate tops for a first guitar.
Top wood, bracing, body shape, and built-in electronics decide which one fits you. We ranked eight models on those factors plus playability and value, led by the Artist ABT60E.
Want a wider primer first? Our guitar brand guide is a good next stop, then check the chart below.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Alvarez ABT60E Artist Series | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Alvarez ABT60 Artist Series | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Alvarez AG60CE Artist Series | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Alvarez AF60CESHB Artist Series | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Alvarez Artist Series AJ80CE Jumbo | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
Alvarez Regent RD26 Dreadnought | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 |  |
Alvarez RF26CE Regent Series | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 8 |  |
Alvarez AG75WCE Artist 75 Grand Auditorium | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
Reading the Alvarez Alphabet
The model letters decode the lineup: AG for grand auditoriums, AF for the folk-size Shadowburst, AJ for the maple-bodied jumbo, and the Regent series holding the budget line.
The ABT60E earns the top slot with an LR Baggs StagePro EQ, the most serious electronics in the lineup, while the RD26 delivers the same scalloped-bracing recipe for the least money.
1. Alvarez ABT60E Artist Series
Alvarez ABT60E Artist Series
Solid Sitka top baritone-body Artist guitar with forward-shifted scalloped bracing and an onboard LR Baggs StagePro EQ.
Pros
- Solid A+ grade Sitka top that improves with age
- LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element pickup included
- Forward-shifted scalloped bracing boosts resonance
- Premium die-cast tuners hold tuning well
Cons
- Benefits from a proper setup out of the box
- Larger Artist body is a stretch for small players
The ABT60E sits at the top because it combines a solid A+ grade Sitka spruce top with the FST2M forward-shifted, scalloped bracing that gives Artist guitars their warm, resonant voice. That solid top is the key difference from cheaper models, and it only sounds better as it ages and opens up.
The onboard LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element pickup mean you can plug straight into a PA, which is a serious package at this price point.
2. Alvarez ABT60 Artist Series
Alvarez ABT60 Artist Series
Acoustic-only Artist workhorse with a solid Sitka top, bone nut and saddle, and factory D'Addario EXP strings.
Pros
- Solid A+ grade Sitka spruce top for projection
- Real bone nut and saddle improve tone transfer
- Forward-shifted scalloped bracing adds warmth
- Ships with quality D'Addario EXP strings
Cons
- No onboard electronics for plugging in
- Can need fine-tuning of the action initially
This is the acoustic-only sibling to our top pick, and it’s a fantastic workhorse for players who don’t need electronics. You still get the solid A+ grade Sitka top and forward-shifted scalloped bracing, plus a real bone nut and saddle that improve how the strings transfer energy into the top.
Alvarez even ships it with quality D’Addario EXP strings and premium die-cast tuners, so it plays well from day one.
3. Alvarez AG60CE Artist Series
Alvarez AG60CE Artist Series
Grand auditorium Artist guitar with a solid Sitka top, scalloped bracing, and a built-in LR Baggs StagePro EQ.
Pros
- Comfortable grand auditorium body shape
- Solid A+ grade Sitka top with scalloped bracing
- LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element pickup onboard
- Cutaway gives easy access to upper frets
Cons
- Smaller body has less low-end than a dreadnought
- Tuners are good but not premium grade
The AG60CE brings the Artist series spec sheet into a grand auditorium body that many players find more comfortable than a full dreadnought. It pairs a solid A+ grade Sitka top and scalloped bracing with the same LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element pickup found on our top pick.
The cutaway opens up easy access to the upper frets, making it a versatile choice for fingerstyle and lead work alike.
4. Alvarez AF60CESHB Artist Series
Alvarez AF60CESHB Artist Series
Folk-body Artist guitar in shadowburst gloss with a solid Sitka top and an onboard LR Baggs StagePro EQ.
Pros
- Striking shadowburst gloss finish
- Solid A+ grade Sitka top for clarity
- Forward-shifted scalloped bracing improves sustain
- Factory-fitted LR Baggs Element with StagePro EQ
Cons
- Smaller folk body suits fingerstyle over heavy strumming
- Gloss finish shows fingerprints easily
If you want Artist series tone with a bit more visual flair, the AF60CESHB wears a gorgeous shadowburst gloss finish over its solid A+ grade Sitka top. The smaller folk body lends itself beautifully to fingerstyle, and the forward-shifted scalloped bracing keeps the sustain long and even.
As with its siblings, an LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element pickup come standard, so it’s gig-ready straight away.
5. Alvarez Artist Series AJ80CE Jumbo
Alvarez Artist Series AJ80CE Jumbo
Jumbo acoustic-electric with a solid Sitka top, maple back and sides, and abalone and pearl inlays.
Pros
- Hand-selected A grade solid Sitka top
- Maple back and sides give a bright, loud voice
- Paua abalone and pearl inlays look stunning
- Backed by a lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Large jumbo body is bulky for smaller players
- Factory strings are best replaced quickly
For players who need big volume and stage presence, the AJ80CE jumbo delivers. Its hand-selected A grade solid Sitka top is paired with maple back and sides, a combination that produces a bright, loud, cutting voice that holds up in a live mix.
Paua abalone and mother of pearl inlays make it a stunner to look at, and it’s backed by a lifetime limited warranty that few competitors match.
6. Alvarez Regent RD26 Dreadnought
Alvarez Regent RD26 Dreadnought
Affordable dreadnought with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and scalloped X bracing for a balanced tone.
Pros
- Excellent value for a first acoustic guitar
- Scalloped X bracing yields a balanced tone
- Mahogany back and sides add warmth
- Gloss finish looks pricier than it's
Cons
- Spruce top is laminate, not solid wood
- Usually needs a setup before it plays its best
The Regent RD26 is the classic Alvarez budget pick and a longtime favorite first guitar for good reason. Its scalloped X bracing and mahogany back and sides give it a surprisingly balanced, warm tone for the money, and the gloss finish looks far pricier than the sticker.
The top is laminate rather than solid spruce, but for a beginner wanting a reliable, great-looking dreadnought, it’s hard to beat the value.
7. Alvarez RF26CE Regent Series
Alvarez RF26CE Regent Series
Folk-style Regent cutaway with a spruce top, mahogany body, and a SYS250 three-band EQ with tuner.
Pros
- Cutaway eases access to the upper frets
- SYS250 three-band EQ with a built-in tuner
- Mahogany body delivers a warm, vintage tone
- Affordable way to get a plug-in acoustic
Cons
- Spruce top is laminate rather than solid
- Factory strings wear out quickly
The RF26CE takes the affordable Regent formula and adds a cutaway folk body plus electronics, making it a budget-friendly way to get a plug-in acoustic. The SYS250 three-band EQ includes a built-in tuner, which is genuinely handy for stage and practice.
Its mahogany body delivers a warm, vintage tone, though the laminate top and stock strings mean it sits a notch below the solid-top Artist models.
8. Alvarez AG75WCE Artist 75 Grand Auditorium
Alvarez AG75WCE Artist 75 Grand Auditorium
Grand auditorium acoustic-electric with a cedar top, walnut back and sides, and a laurel fingerboard.
Pros
- Cedar top gives a warm, mellow fingerstyle tone
- Walnut back and sides add midrange focus
- Grand auditorium curves sit easily in the lap
- Acoustic-electric build is ready to plug in
Cons
- Lower-spec Artist 75 series components
- Tuners could be smoother and more stable
Rounding out the list, the AG75WCE Artist 75 takes a different tonal path with a cedar top over walnut back and sides. Cedar gives it a warm, mellow response that fingerstyle players tend to love, while the walnut adds focused midrange.
It’s a comfortable grand auditorium acoustic-electric, but the lower-spec Artist 75 components and so-so tuners keep it at the back of an otherwise strong field.
Video Reviews
More demos worth a watch:
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is the Alvarez ABT60E Artist Series. The combination of a solid A+ grade Sitka top, forward-shifted scalloped bracing, and an onboard LR Baggs StagePro EQ gives you a guitar that sounds great unplugged and is ready for the stage the moment you open the case.
It’s the most complete package here, and the solid top means it’ll only get better with age.
If you don’t need electronics, the ABT60 delivers the same solid-top Artist tone for less, with a bone nut and saddle and factory D’Addario strings that have it playing beautifully from day one. Players chasing a more comfortable body shape should look at the AG60CE grand auditorium, while performers who want sheer volume will appreciate the maple-bodied AJ80CE jumbo.
On a tighter budget, the Regent RD26 dreadnought remains one of the best first acoustics you can buy, and the RF26CE adds a cutaway and EQ if you want to plug in for less. Whatever your budget, Alvarez gives you more guitar than the price suggests, and any of these eight will reward the player who picks it up.
For more options, browse our full acoustic guitar guide.
