Big Voice in a Small Package
Parlor guitars have a reputation for being quiet and polite. The Alvarez MP60e Masterworks didn't get that memo. Built entirely from solid tonewoods — AAA Sitka spruce on top, African mahogany on the back and sides — this compact parlor delivers a focused, articulate voice that punches well above its body size. Whether you're curled up on a couch running through fingerpicking patterns or miked up in a recording session, the MP60e responds to every nuance of your touch.
The Shadowburst gloss finish fades from deep amber at the edges to a warm natural center, drawing out the figure of that AAA spruce top in a way that makes it hard to put down. Premium paua abalone body purfling catches the light with an iridescent shimmer, and a slotted headstock nods to the parlor's vintage roots without feeling like a costume.
This is the kind of guitar that players reach for when they want tone that feels earned, not manufactured. It suits fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, and anyone who appreciates a smaller body that doesn't compromise on projection or character.
All-Solid Tonewoods, Built to Last
Alvarez's Masterworks line is built on a straightforward premise: solid wood sounds better, and the details matter. The AAA Sitka spruce top brings the bright, articulate clarity that spruce is known for, with the added headroom that comes from top-grade wood selection. African mahogany back and sides contribute warm midrange presence and a focused low-end response that keeps things from getting muddy in a smaller body.
Alvarez's proprietary FS6 bracing system is a forward-shifted, scalloped X-brace that positions the main braces slightly toward the soundhole, freeing up more of the lower bout to vibrate. That means more volume and better bass response than you'd typically expect from a parlor. The spruce bracing itself also adds rigidity without sacrificing resonance. Over time, all-solid construction opens up and matures — a guitar like this only gets better with years of regular playing.
A Neck That Plays as Good as It Looks
The African mahogany neck on the MP60e uses what Alvarez calls a hybrid soft "V" to "C" profile — it starts with a vintage-inspired V contour at the nut and transitions into a rounder, more modern C shape as you move up the neck. In practice, this means your thumb finds natural anchor points in open-position chords while higher frets stay comfortable for single-note work. Paired with an East Indian rosewood fingerboard and a 24-inch scale length, the MP60e has an easy, comfortable feel that works well for extended sessions.
Nut width comes in at 1.75 inches — roomy enough for fingerstyle players who want clear note separation between strings, but not so wide that chord shapes become a stretch. The bone nut and saddle are cut for precise intonation and clean open-string resonance. Premium open-gear tuners keep things in tune reliably without adding unnecessary bulk to that elegant slotted headstock.
LR Baggs HiFi Electronics — Plug In Without Apology
Acoustic-electric guitars can be hit or miss when it comes to amplified tone, but the LR Baggs HiFi system is one of the more thoughtfully designed pickup solutions available. It uses dual bridge plate sensors rather than a traditional undersaddle transducer, which means it captures vibration from a larger area of the soundboard for a more natural, balanced sound. Onboard volume and tone controls let you dial in your amplified sound without leaving the stage for the soundboard.
The HiFi system also features a closed-sensor design for excellent feedback resistance — useful for anyone playing in louder stage environments where feedback can be a real concern. Whether you're playing through a PA at an open mic or tracking directly into a DAW, you get a tone that actually represents what the guitar sounds like in the room.
Product Features:
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Top: Solid AAA Sitka spruce with Shadowburst gloss finish
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Back & Sides: Solid African mahogany
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Bracing: FS6 forward-shifted scalloped X-brace
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Neck: African mahogany with hybrid soft "V" to "C" profile
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Fingerboard: East Indian rosewood
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Scale Length: 24" (610mm)
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Nut Width: 1.75" (44.45mm)
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Nut & Saddle: Bone
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Electronics: LR Baggs HiFi — dual bridge plate sensors with onboard volume and tone controls
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Bridge: Bi-level Indian rosewood with ebony bridge pins
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Tuners: Premium open-gear
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Purfling: Hand-inlaid paua abalone body purfling
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Body Shape: Parlor
Brand: Alvarez
Model: MP60e Masterworks Parlor Shadowburst
SKU: MP60ESHADOWBURST
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
