I would beg, steal (Ok maybe not steal) or borrow one until you can play a simple mellody or a couple of chords and look to buy one.
Failing that just slowly pluck the strings and listen to the tone of each one, most Yamaha's I have had a go on have played well and they get good reviews I cannot answer about the Alvarez. You could also get the assistant to play some chords and pick a melody and do it that way.
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