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Alvarez

collapse expand iconDescription

The Alvarez MD510SHB dreadnought acoustic guitar delivers a bold, dynamic tone ideal for any singer-songwriter. Constructed with all-solid wood, this instrument resonates with impressive projection and clarity. The solid Sitka spruce top and solid sapele back and sides produce a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum.

Resonant All-Solid Wood Construction

The MD510SHB acoustic guitar is built to perform, with all-solid wood construction that enhances resonance and sustain. The solid Sitka spruce top vibrates freely, projecting your playing with articulate highs and open mids. Solid sapele back and sides provide warmth and depth, supporting the spruce top with a robust low end. This blend of tonewoods gives the 510 a dynamic voice ready to handle any musical style.

Premium Appointments for a Quality Feel

From the shadowburst gloss finish to the rosewood fingerboard, the Alvarez MD510SHB is appointed with premium components. The rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth playing surface, while the bone nut and saddle enhance tone and tuning stability. A bi-level rosewood bridge provides ideal string spacing for complex chords and single-note runs. These high-quality parts come together for a guitar that looks, plays and sounds like a professional instrument.

Scalloped Bracing for Power and Nuance

The Alvarez acoustic guitar MD510SHB features forward-shifted scalloped bracing, a construction technique that allows the top to vibrate freely. Scalloped bracing carves out portions of the inner bracing, reducing mass and stiff spots. The result is a top that pumps out volume when you dig in, but also responds sensitively to subtle fingerpicking or strumming. This combination of power and nuance gives the MD510SHB a dynamic range suited to many playing techniques.

Alvarez MD510SHB Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Shadowburst
Alvarez MD510SHB Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Shadowburst
Alvarez MD510SHB Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Shadowburst

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • All-solid Sitka spruce top for articulate highs
  • Solid sapele back and sides for warmth and depth
  • Scalloped bracing for enhanced power and nuance
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Bone nut and saddle for tone and tuning stability
  • Shadowburst gloss finish for a premium look

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body shape: Dreadnought
  • Top wood: Solid AA North American Sitka spruce
  • Back wood: Solid sapele
  • Side wood: Solid sapele
  • Finish: Shadowburst gloss
  • Bracing: FS6 forward-shifted scalloped
Neck
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Neck shape: Shallow V to C
  • Nut width: 1.75" (44.5 mm)
  • Scale length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Hardware
  • Tuners: Premium, closed-back chrome tuners
  • Bridge: Rosewood bi-level
  • Saddle & nut: Bone
Other
  • Orientation: Right handed
  • Case: Sold separately
  • Strings: 6

collapse expand iconWarranty

Nontransferable limited lifetime warranty on guitars.
Check with manufacturer for specific parts and labor warranty.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.75

4 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

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  1. Jamming1
  2. Practicing1
  3. Recording1
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  1. Experienced4
Pros
  1. Consistent2
  2. Fun To Play2
  3. Good Audio2
  4. Good Feel2
  5. Stays In Tune2

Reviewed by 4 customers

  • Very enjoyable guitar

    4

    submitted4 months ago

    byKenny

    fromLittle Rock, AR

    I've had a bunch from entry level to boutique. This is my 3rd sapele acoustic (the first two didn't stick around long) and the first I've thought to have great tone. The playability is outstanding. The neck feel is conservatively a 9. Great action out of the box and fretting is about effortless. This also happens to be my 3rd Alvarez and the previous two, one being a masterworks, were good guitars but the feel wasn't close to this. One thing I don't care for about all the Alvarez I've had is that the saddle has a hard right angle on the back. That in conjunction with the bilevel bridge creating more tension means that wound strings, especially D and G, tend to pop sharp when tuning and it is then fiddly to get it back down to in tune. That is fixed easily enough with a saddle replacement and I'll probably get around to it with this one. It is also worth noting that the neck on this guitar is disproportionately heavy. You'll definitely notice when you pick it up but it hasn't bothered me while playing. Finally, with any lower cost guitar I replace the plastic bridge pins. I put a cheap set of rosewood in this guitar and it did make a positive difference in the tone.

  • Great little acoustic! Highly recommend for the price!

    5

    submitted8 months ago

    byMark

    fromOxnard, CA

    This little box is great for writing, practicing or acoustic jams with friends. Chord changes and single notes and even lead runs are very smoothly transitioned on the rosewood fretboard. It projects very well with full bottom end sound and fairly well balanced mids and highs. Stayed in tune even on several strong note bends. Alvarez has always been a favorite brand and they did not disappoint this time!

  • Very nice solid wood guitar at a great price.

    5

    submitted8 months ago

    byMike

    fromVentura, CA

    Sound is a good balance with deep bass and twinkly highs. Pleasant sounding. Great setup out of the box. Super easy to play.

  • Great guitar

    5

    submitted8 months ago

    byPark

    fromOklahoma

    You can't find a better all solid wood guitar for this price. I happen to like it better than its big brother, the md60bg. Mine plays fantastic right out of the box which is rare for a new guitar. Fit and finish are good, but might find blemishes if you look hard enough. Highly recommend if you're looking to step into an all solid guitar.

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted4 months ago

    asked byJohn

    fromPlymouth meeting

    Regarding Alvarez what is difference between md and ag

    Regarding Alvarez what is difference between md and ag

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Alvarez MD Series (Masterworks Dreadnought) Body Shape: Traditional dreadnought, offering a bold and powerful sound.​ Tonewoods: All-solid wood construction, typically featuring solid Sitka spruce tops with solid mahogany or rosewood backs and sides.​ Sound Profile: Emphasizes volume, projection, and a rich, full-bodied tone, making it ideal for strumming and flatpicking.​ Features: High-quality components such as bone nuts and saddles, open-gear tuners, and bi-level bridges.​ Playability: Designed for players seeking a traditional acoustic experience with robust sound. Alvarez AG Series (Artist Grand Auditorium) Body Shape: Grand Auditorium with a cutaway, offering a balanced tone suitable for various styles.​ Tonewoods: Solid tops (often Sitka spruce or cedar) with laminated back and sides, typically mahogany or rosewood. Sound Profile: Versatile, with clarity and balance across lows, mids, and highs, suitable for fingerpicking and light strumming.​ Features: Modern appointments like armrest bevels, onboard electronics (e.g., LR Baggs StagePro EQ), and cutaways for upper fret access.​ Playability: Comfortable for a wide range of players, especially those who perform live or require amplified sound.