It also gains a lot, Murray. Try it this way (capoed 2nd of course):

| G G | G G | Am C/B | C D7 | G G | G G | Am C | D7 G |

-same progression for both A and B parts, of course, though you might want to vary it on the B part by walking down to an Em chord on the 2nd and 5th bars.

As regards the playability of the 2 guitars question, my money is on the "different scale length=different tension" culprit. Also, Vixen, what is the difference in neck width and thickness beteen the two? Maybe the Alvarez's neck is too thick for your hands.