I was surprised to find all these responses this morning!
KateG and Strick--I've had my Alvarez about 20 years, and for the first couple of years I played it as it came out of the box. Then a friend of mine suggested I have it "set up" by the "guitar technician" at the store where I bought it. I did, and it was like magic--the thing has been a delight to play for everything except repeated barre chords at fast tempos. There are very few guitars I prefer to play over my Alvarez, which is one of the reasons I haven't wanted to run out and get a new one now that it's developed a buzz. Mudcat Kendall's Taylor is one of the few I really like. I've played a couple of Martins I really like too. Unfortunately, it seems, "all the good ones are taken..."
Murray, Cluin, and Bruce--I LIKE Devil's Dream in A!!! (*someday* I'll be able to flatpick it, too!) And it's nowhere near as difficult as New Camptown Races in Bb (I *absolutely* use a capo on that one!)I haven't learned OBS yet...
McGrath, Whistlestop, and Richard Bridge--Y'know, I thought it was a strength problem when I first started trying to use barre chords "seriously" (about 6 years ago), so I got one of those gadgets that's 4 spring-buttons on one side and a solid bar on the other side and I built up my individual finger and whole grip squeezes. I also ride an 1100 pound horse, who can pull like the dickens. Consequently, I do have a bit of grip now, so I don't think my barre chord problems have to do with that. The more I read here, the more I think it's a position issue. I usually play sitting with the whole instrument horizontal; when I'm upright, the soundhole is at navel height and the neck is cocked up to my left. With the Alvarez, my left wrist is definitely cocked at an uncomfortable and tense angle that prevents me from getting the leverage I need for the barres. I think it's the Baby puts my body in a whole lot more comfortable position, so the barre chords are easy. Now I just need to learn how to get into that position with my Alvarez.
And Willie-O--y'know, I can already tell that the Baby is going to be my "writing guitar" because it's so easy to noodle on. The Alvarez will still be my performance guitar if for no other reason than I feel a little bit *huge* playing the Baby standing up. And you're probably right about the new guitar too, unless another miracle occurs to cure the Alvarez' buzz issues. It's Possible, It's Possible.