Alvarez-yairi... Are the good?

TaylorKid · #1 01-20-2002, 09:01 PM

Are they good sounding guitars for the price? My first guitar was an alverez (RD30s-sb) and it sounds great for $300.
I would love to try a few Alvarez-yairi's but my dealer only has one. Has anyone else had experience with current models?

Which ones do you reccomend?

Any feedback on current models is greatly aprecciated. Thanx

Noflatpick · #2 01-20-2002, 09:14 PM

I have a 2000 model WY-1. The Bob Weir autograph model. I really like it. It's a grand auditorium size with electronics and cutaway. All black with ebony fretboard and very nice appointments. Very nice action, nice well-balanced sound and very well-made.

I traded a Fender Jeff Beck Stratocaster for mine but I DO know the MSRP on it was right around 2000 bucks. I'm not sure what the retail prices are running. Probably around 1400 or 1500 dollars.

I think they are a very nice guitar and I don't think you could get a comparable Taylor for anywhere near the same price.

gotukes2 · #3 01-27-2002, 10:54 AM

I've got a DY-62C, cedar top and burl mahogony on the back and sides. It's a great looking dreadnought (I get caught sometimes mesmorized, staring at the back) with great sound and range. It's got Kazuo Yairi's signature, so I hope is will be a collector's item one day if not now. The Alvarez Guitar web site has the same guitar pictured if you go to the "Yairi Handmade Guitar, Traditional" link. Mine has a different bridge and inlay on the 12th fret only. It was joined by a Taylor Koa and both have similar action although I intend to put new Elixir stings on the DY-62C for closer comparison.

Cisco · #4 01-27-2002, 03:05 PM

I've got a DY70, a WYK and a WY1 all beautiful but the only problem is that nearly all of the Yairi's are laminated backs and sides. The Koa (WYK) has a laminated top as well. Laminated means plywood !!! Only 1 or 2 of the most expensive Yairi's are all solid. Just buy a Taylor...
Cisco

Noflatpick · #5 01-27-2002, 03:25 PM

Where did you get that information from? My WY-1 is a solid wood guitar and I've never heard of any of the Yairi guitars being anything BUT solid wood.

Cisco · #6 01-27-2002, 04:35 PM

sorry noflatpick
But your guitar is plywood. At least the back and sides are. If you look in their catalog or go to St. louis music's website and look at the pricelist you'll see it will specifically state solid wood top or back or whatever. If it says just maple or rosewood it's laminate. I have other sources also in case you want to investigate.

JW · #7 01-27-2002, 09:19 PM

Nice guitars kind of online with high end takamines. Just my opinion but I like em all. JW

b-squared · #8 01-28-2002, 07:58 AM

Ditto the Laminates...I've got a 1976 DY-68; It's Laminate with a Solid Top. Still sounds good, but...It's not my Taylor!

-Bill-

pdave · #9 01-28-2002, 02:54 PM

Well. gang, it's a pity that yairis have the 'bad' rep for laminates. I have a middle 70's DY57. I know it's solid because the original owner (I bought it in '79) crunched it along the lower bout and you can see the edge of one of the sides for about an inch...no plywood there! Nice guitar, great sound...if only it would play in tune.

JayGon · #10 01-29-2002, 03:45 PM

I tried a cool old f-hole archtop today. I think it was mahogany. Top looked solid, don't know about the back and sides.

You see Yairis form time to time. I think the band Stain plays their dreads.

Jay

rmpelkey · #11 02-07-2002, 01:15 PM

I have a 1978 DY78, it's a great guitar...

Now I have no idea where these are today, but the one I have has served me faithfully. I've had it for about 15 years. Got it second hand..

pdave · #12 02-07-2002, 03:11 PM

all the nice old yairis seem to be on eBay

sneaky · #13 02-13-2002, 08:30 AM

they do make some that are all solid but I`m not certain if they get exported. Played a used one the other day that I would have bough if not for the crack in the back near the seam close to where the back and sides join near the end pin.

Atlantis · #14 02-16-2002, 09:09 PM

I bought a new Alvarez AJ60S 12 string today. It was purchased with the sole intent of being my campfire guitar. I just couldn't find a Taylor 12 cheap enough. The Alvarez is great! It's a maple laminate back and sides with a solid engleman front. Chrome tuners, bone colored binding, black pickguard. The action is not as good as my K65, but hey, that cost ten times more than this one did! The sound is very good. Nice treble and mid-range, skimpy on the base. It's a jumbo, and is this thing loud!! Anyway, for a price under that of a Big Baby I've got a new twelver that sounds and plays wonderfully!