Founded in 1965 by Gene Kornblum of St. Louis Music, Alvarez Guitars initially produced Spanish-style classical instruments before becoming a prominent force in the steel-string acoustic world. In the late 1960s, Kornblum partnered with legendary Japanese luthier Kazuo Yairi, establishing a legacy of meticulous hand-craftsmanship and unique tonal designs like the signature Bi-Level and Direct Coupled bridges. These designs quickly captured the attention of iconic artists. Today, Alvarez bridges the gap between high-end artisan quality and everyday affordability. Through research and development, their current lineup—from the accessible Artist Series to the vintage-inspired Laureate Series and the flagship Alvarez-Yairi line—serves as a go-to workhorse brand for modern touring musicians, home studio producers, and singer-songwriters who demand premium, stage-ready resonance without a boutique price tag.