Beginner Guitar

• The Regent is promoted as a beginner's guitar, but according to the Alvarez Web site, it is a beginner's guitar that does not sound like a beginner's guitar. All the models in the Alvarez line are hand crafted using many of the same parts; the quality of sound produced by each instrument is a prime concern of the company.
  
  

Guitar Family

• In the 18th century, guitars were popular instruments in American taverns and public places. The instruments were generally owned by the tavern and made available to its patrons for entertainment in the evenings. The instrument's popularity stemmed from the fact that it was much simpler to learn than many of the instruments of the time such as the lute and were far more portable than others such as the harpsichord. Guitars were made in "families," meaning a series of instruments would range from bass to tenor or soprano instruments. The Alvarez family of guitars is originally credited to a man named Joseph Alvarez of Mexico in the 1730s and 1740s.
  
  

Company

• The Alvarez Guitar Company we know today developed when a Japanese guitar maker named Yaiki combined to work with the Alvarez company, now relocated to St. Louis, MO, in 1965. The company is known for its acoustic guitars, particularly its nylon string classical guitars.
  
  

Seasoned

• All Alvarez models are known for their high quality of craftsmanship and the materials used in each instrument. Unlike many other manufacturers, Alvarez follows its own wood-seasoning process, air and kiln drying their wood supplies for up to 15 years to achieve the finish and sound quality the company requires of each of its instruments.
  
  

The Regent

• The Regent model came out soon after Yaiki became involved in the company and is the basic level beginner steel string model. Designed for accessibility by new guitar players and students, the price for the Regent ranges from about $100 to almost $400.