Yairi DY-92

[nuclearcarnie]

Hello all.

I have searched and searched, both here and other on-line resources. I can find nothing about the DY-92 Lute Back Yairi. Production numbers, current value etc. Can anyone enlighten me on this particular guitar?

Thanks!

[guit3090]

Have not heard about it

[nuclearcarnie]

Originally Posted by guit3090

Have not heard about it

It is a very beautiful guitar with a curved back like an Ovation, but multi-piece Mahogany/Rosewood molded strips. I have seen them pop up from time to time and was wanting to know more. I was wondering if it was one worth adding to a collection.

[Doubleneck]

Here ya go, he started out at $10,000, been up for a while:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Alvarez.../141622951176?

He says in his ebay ad above less than 60 were made. I would believe that. I have a pretty rare Yairi doubleneck and St Louis told me about 100 of those were made.

They were expensive at the time but can't really remember what they went for. Almost a special order really. I think they were Yairi's answer to the popularity of Ovation round backs at the time. Pretty amazing looking guitars really, can't imagine that they won't sound good cause Yairi makes and made excellent guitars. Saw another one listed for $7500?

[merlin666]

They already had an aura of mystique when they were built in the 70s and were highly desirable. There are some old Yairi catalogues online that show them and their Yen price at the time, as a comparison for current values of similar guitars in the same price range then. Location of a used guitar is also important - if they are in Japan where collectors tend to pay three or four times as much as in other countries it would also be valued accordingly.

[patchmcg]

I would love to track one of these down myself. Beautiful instrument!

[HHP]

When I bought my DY-74C in the early 80's, the dealer had 3-4 of the lute backs for sale. Couple of them had been repaired when the back strip glues had failed. I played them, they sounded about like the flat backs, nothing I would go out of my way to find nor pay a premium to get.

Originally Posted by HHP

When I bought my DY-74C in the early 80's, the dealer had 3-4 of the lute backs for sale. Couple of them had been repaired when the back strip glues had failed. I played them, they sounded about like the flat backs, nothing I would go out of my way to find nor pay a premium to get.

↑↑↑ This. I'm a big Yairi fan, but unless you're a hard-core collector this is something I'd pass on. I'd be afraid to make the investment then have the back start splitting on me . . .

[Doubleneck]

From the pad on the back where you leg would be, you can tell they had similar issues of sliding down the leg like Ovations did? Didn't really think of all the potential seam failures that would be possible. You guys can really kick mystique in the teeth. lol

[nuclearcarnie]

I have seen the one for sale on ebay.the first listing started at 10K and when it failed to sell, it relisted for 7500. I appreciate all the responses. I was trying to get a feel of whether it was truly worth 7500 bucks.

[Japguitar]

I have just bought a Yairi OY-80 which is the same guitar as the DY-92 but with carved lion pick guard. Amazing tone and balance. The OY-80 was produced for the Japanese and European market, whilst the DY-92 for the American market. I recently let a friend of mine play it, who has a nice collection of acoustic's and he said it was one of the best guitars he's played. Thought that was nice, considering that he's got some amazing guitars himself.http:// https://youtu.be/MWoX7OGILaY

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by nuclearcarnie

Hello all.

I have searched and searched, both here and other on-line resources. I can find nothing about the DY-92 Lute Back Yairi. Production numbers, current value etc. Can anyone enlighten me on this particular guitar?

Thanks!

With me since 1992 (!)...a piece of artwork to me!

Thought I would write a detailed review...but probably no time yet soon (too busy with my Pono guitars) so just post a few photos taken recently...enjoy Pip

[M-Viewfinder]

Hi Folks,

Yes, this is a really rare piece, it sounds great and is especially easy to play. She is a beauty and I love it much!

[K20C]

There is a K Yairi group in Facebook. Someone recently posted their lute back guitar. Perhaps they can help.