Alpha steelstrings 2 / 12 string Alpha's.

The Alpha A688 in a nice honeyburst.

And the back even shows a figured look: The

so called tiger stripes.

The typical headform used for both Alpha and Vega

guitars and this example has been provided with an

Alpha shield but underneath most likely the Vega

brand name can be found. Martin stopped the collaboration

with Egmond as the neck body construction caused a lot of 

warranty demands from customers.

The so called Kolb tuners. German made and during

some period also used by the Martin factory.

The neck that has been attached to the body with three

wooden dowels and some glue caused a lot of trouble.

A pity as these guitars have a very good sound and

are great players furthermore.

Presented here is the Alpha A690 with the Martin head.

It was my first steelstring Alpha though a lot of Alpha

Spanish guitars passed through my fingers during my

profession as a guitar teacher.

The inlay is exactly the same as on a genuine Martin D28.

And also the woods used are of a very good quality.

The difference is the rosewood fingerboard instead of

an ebony one on the genuine Martin D28.

The headstock with an Alpha inlay. There are

guitars with the same materials but with a Vega

name plate glued over this inlay! And sometimes

an Alpha type number with a Vega headstock

or the other way round.

Again the Kolb tuners that also were used by the Martin 

company during a certain period. They work well but the

knob design is ugly to my belief! Martin mounted a

volute on the back of the neck and that hasn't been

done by the Egmond company.

This instrument has had a neck reset. A screw placed

from the inside heel block into the outer heel and glued

in place again. Still strong after 10 years!

Most luxurious model I've came across: The A 690S.

Lots of abalone and a gorgeous back. Golden tuners,

again from Kolb.

Inspired of course on the Martin D35

Here the label can be admired. And possibly an

ebony fingerboard. Martin D28 and D35 both

are equipped with an ebony fingerboard.

12-String Alpha's

De Alpha variant met een sparren bovenblad en mahonie 

klankkast. E.e.a. zou, mede gezien de andere ervaringen 

met Alpha / Alfesta, allemaal net wat luxer uitgevoerd 

moeten zijn.

De hals heeft in elk geval een wat strakkere kleur gekregen

Geen Martin kop maar wel een vorm die we vaker tegenkomen.

 

Overduidelijk wederom de Kolbe mechanieken.