#1
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The K. Yairi / Alvarez Yairi appreciation thread
Many of us have come to love the handiwork of luthier Kazuo Yairi (R.I.P). His guitars are comfortable in pretty expensive company.
If you have a Yairi, let's see some pictures and hear your stories! I'll start - my one Yairi (thus far) is an 1982 DY-53 "Silver Harp". I love the tone, and the back is mesmerizing in person - it has a very 3-D look. At the moment it's at the luthier for a neck reset and setup. Can't wait to get it back.
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'77 Gurian J-R C series '82 Alvarez-Yairi DY-53 "Silver Harp" Ibanez AG-95 DBS 70s Ibanez 511 |
#2
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I've become a bit enamored as of late.. from an advertisement i saw of their new FYM66 (?) or something similar, it's basically a $2k all-hog beautiful creation using 50-year-old seasoned honduran mahogany.
http://acousticguitar.com/alvarez-winter-namm-2018/ I would absolutely love to own one of these, but at that price point I don't see it making its way into my lineup. Maybe if I could get a used one at fire-sale pricing, or trade, then who knows. It's a shame because lately I've found an ABUNDANCE of guitars like that, ones that pique my interest and I know they'd be fine guitars, but for their price point, realistically I just know that I'd much rather go for a used SCGC or Bourgeois or even high-end Martin for 2700 bucks. That being said, 50 year old Honduran Mahogany .. mmmm...
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2003 Washburn WD44S | Sitka/Hawaiian koa 2018 Gibson J-45 Vintage | Torrefied Adi/Mahogany 2015 Gibson Wildwood AJ New Vintage | Adi/EIR Fishman | Loudbox Mini | Primetone 1.0mm "what is the universe? the universe is a symphony of vibrating strings.." -michio kaku |
#3
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I don't have pics yet,but I have a dy74 on the way
Great guitars Dave
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Larrivee d02 |
#4
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I've been a fan for a long time. I don't have any currently but have owned several.
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#5
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Congratulations. Yairi's are really a sleeper in the guitar community. They are not very well known so people are scared off by them which is good for someone who could actually care less about buying it with resale in mind. Avoid buying a Yairi new because depreciation does hit pretty hard on new Yairi's. Of course for the quality the new price does compete well with better known brands.
Mine is a WY-1 which is a Cedar top with Rosewood laminate back and sides, Ebony fretboard and it is a fantastic playing and sounding guitar. Oh, and bought used...................... Factory tour video probably several years before Kazuo Yairi passed on last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXiSh9p27gs Last edited by Seagull S6; 05-25-2018 at 08:40 AM. |
#6
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No pics handy, but I had a 1986 (the same year I graduated) DY75 herringbone dreadnaught that looked and played amazing. I wouldn't say that it sounded amazing, because it wasn't in the same universe as my Breedlove American C25, Voice CM, and other high-end steel string acoustics in terms of quality of tone, unamplified volume, etc. But the Yairi was a great guitar nonetheless and I wish I still owned it (despite not liking to play dreads any more).
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http://soundcloud.com/jwflamenco |
#7
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K.Yairi Japan domestic market RF-120 Sitka/RW, purchased at Ishibashi Music in Tokyo, Japan, summer 2017.
IMG_0002.jpg It's a standard model but I really like the tasteful inlay at the 12th fret. Mine has a satin finish which I find tactile and a nice variation from my other gloss guitars. IMG_0003.jpg The "Angel" headstock depicts the RF is from the "Angel" Series that has been in production for many years IMG_0004.jpg Did Kazuo sign these? Or maybe the luthiers signed in his name.
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Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread) Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19) Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67) Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71) |
#8
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Okay, Okay....
Didn't wanna spill the beans on these most excellent instruments, imho a very well documented secret in the world of high-end instruments... So here's my pic of the DYMR70SB. It's a slope-shouldered dread - Rosewood and Spruce 12-fret slothead - that plays like silk, throws out a deep, rich bass along with ringing trebles, and pours out those Rosewood tones like warm chocolate syrup! I actually stumbled onto it while searching for a J-45. One play was all it took. And I traded a Martin DCPA4 dread for it (yeah, I traded a Martin for it). So - with some D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings (shout-out to my personal AGF Yairi Guru, PIOUSDEVIL), this is now a 3-4 hour per day instrument. http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...&1527263125632 http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...&1527263125632 http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...&1527263125632 She's got a few battle scars on 'er these days - couple of little dings and a little scratch where some Bozo (me) dropped a preamp on her.... but she's beautiful, competent, and loud -- and she makes me sound goooood. And she makes me sexier than I already am (hard to believe, I know ...) Please -- don't try to buy her. Not for sale! (... well, she MAY be for sale... ) Last edited by brancher; 05-25-2018 at 09:58 AM. |
#9
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Here's my virtually mint 1985 DY-90 Super Abalone (same as Yairi YW-1000). D-45 style abalone, D-35 back. Amazing tonality, sustain and projection. Custom rosewood pick guard, tuner buttons and armrest. This guitar was unplayed until this year!
Last edited by jonbee; 05-25-2018 at 10:33 AM. |
#10
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Dude, the 90 is beautiful!! How's the low end on her?
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#11
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Agreed - that 90 is a stunner!
Also nice to see the domestic Japanese headstock instead of the A/Y version on that one up thread.
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'77 Gurian J-R C series '82 Alvarez-Yairi DY-53 "Silver Harp" Ibanez AG-95 DBS 70s Ibanez 511 |
#12
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Please post more about the neck reset when you get it back. I've been told mine can't be removed.
Thx! |
#13
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Love the detail and headstock binding on that DY90!
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Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread) Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19) Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67) Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71) |
#14
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Let's not forget the one's made by Yairi, with an obscure (grin!) licensed brand name on them:
Last edited by GBS; 05-25-2018 at 04:07 PM. |
#15
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I am looking at a 12 string make by Yairi with a brand name on it. I have yet to get over to play it but in looks it's easily a 9/10.
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