The K. Yairi / Alvarez Yairi appreciation thread - Page 2

steve223 · #16 05-25-2018, 04:54 PM

I have a 81 Yari DY74 That is just an awesome guitar... I'll find some pics and post them

Seagull S6 · #17 05-25-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippygreen

K.Yairi Japan domestic market RF-120 Sitka/RW, purchased at Ishibashi Music in Tokyo, Japan, summer 2017.

Attachment 9033

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.

Attachment 9034

The "Angel" headstock depicts the RF is from the "Angel" Series that has been in production for many years

Attachment 9035
Did Kazuo sign these? Or maybe the luthiers signed in his name.

Kazuo went to the great gig in the sky on 3-10-2014. Also, to my eye, the signature does not look like his.

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/65/fb/81/6...ce-guitars.jpg

Also, look at his Signature in the first post.

bryantjudoman · #18 05-25-2018, 06:35 PM

I just traded off my 1982 K Yairi for a 1962 gibson hummingbird. Well traded it and my 2016 j-45 and a pound of flesh for a hummingbird that is. I am going to miss the Yairi. It was really one of a kind with a spalted mahogany back and sides it sounded quite nice.

DMZ · #19 05-25-2018, 07:18 PM

My 1st guitar was a limited (900 made) 1978 DY-50 50th Anniversary model with quilted mahogany and cedar top. Not a loud guitar but sweet. Never ever ever sell your 1st guitar. Miss it.

chippygreen · #20 05-25-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seagull S6

Kazuo went to the great gig in the sky on 3-10-2014. Also, to my eye, the signature does not look like his.

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/65/fb/81/6...ce-guitars.jpg

Also, look at his Signature in the first post.

Yup - have to agree!

KenL · #21 05-26-2018, 07:09 AM

I've had 10-12 Yairis through the years, and almost all of them were excellent guitars.

The only dud in the bunch was also the best looking: a DY-53N. Cool guitar. Maybe I just never found the right strings for it.

My favorites were those with a volute; the necks on those were just a little bit thicker, I think.

I only have one now, a rather beat-up DY-74 from 1976 with a gorgeous top that plays perfectly and sounds really, really good. I'd post a photo but it is on loan right now to a friend who is learning to play.

I'm keeping my eyes open for a nice DY-75 or 77, would like to have another one of those. Great guitars.

MCDEMO1 · #22 05-26-2018, 09:30 AM

I have a blue AY DY-88 solid top (no soundhole) acoustic-electric bought used quite a few years ago from Elderly Instruments. I call it the Chris Smither guitar. First saw these in a Mandolin Brothers Catalog in the early 90's.

Have no idea how old it is because I cannot find any ID label or serial number anywhere on or inside the guitar. It does have the series 400 pickup, which I have been told was not the top electronics package ever installed in this model.

Despite having no soundhole it sounds pretty good when played without plugging in. It has a shallower neck carve and tighter string spacing at the nut and saddle than I prefer, so it doesn't get too much playing time, but still is a very cool little instrument.

Mark

Edgar Poe · #23 05-26-2018, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBS

Let's not forget the one's made by Yairi, with an obscure (grin!) licensed brand name on them:

Is this guitar made by S. Yairi, or K. Yairi ?

Ed

PiousDevil · #24 05-26-2018, 10:28 AM

All three of my Yairi Masterworks were made after Kazuo’s death, but they are all magnificent. On the left is my first Yairi, the DYMR70SB, sitka over rosewood 12 fret dreadnought. On the right is the DYM80e, sitka over rosewood/maple 3 piece back, 14 fret dreadnought. The middle is my newest acquisition, the DYM60HD, adirondack spruce over honduran mahogany (aged 40+ years). I cannot put it down.

IMG_5745.jpg IMG_5746.jpg

vindibona1 · #25 05-26-2018, 10:50 AM

Anecdotes... Ok, here goes....

It's 1980 and I've got $1000 in my pocket to buy my first guitar. I'm looking at a Martin D28 (I think) but whatever Martin it was would eat almost my entire $1000. A little shopkeeper comes out of the back and asks if he could help. He says "I've got the right guitar for you" and brings out a 1974 DY77. So I took both in the practice room Yairi vs Martin... and the Yairi won. I asked him how much and he said $175 with the original case. SOLD! This guitar is still with me and officially belongs to my daughter and now I get to play it for my grandson.

Fast forward to 1996 and while shopping for a guitar for my daughter, looking at Yamahas for her we came across the second Alvarez Yairi, a DY71Had to have it. So she got the DY77. We still have them and at this moment the DY71 is on loan to my niece.

I cannot fathom why these guitars are offered up so cheaply? Such great guitars that are every bit as good as those that came out of the big names.

gabriel_bc · #26 05-26-2018, 11:30 PM

Great pictures and stories, everyone - thanks for sharing! It's tiding me over while the DY-53 is in the shop.

geoawelch · #27 05-27-2018, 04:11 AM

My PYM70 is the finest guitar I have owned.

Seagull S6 · #28 05-27-2018, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCDEMO1

I have a blue AY DY-88 solid top (no soundhole) acoustic-electric bought used quite a few years ago from Elderly Instruments. I call it the Chris Smither guitar. First saw these in a Mandolin Brothers Catalog in the early 90's.

Have no idea how old it is because I cannot find any ID label or serial number anywhere on or inside the guitar. It does have the series 400 pickup, which I have been told was not the top electronics package ever installed in this model.

Despite having no soundhole it sounds pretty good when played without plugging in. It has a shallower neck carve and tighter string spacing at the nut and saddle than I prefer, so it doesn't get too much playing time, but still is a very cool little instrument.

Mark

The S/N is stamped on the neck heel block. Easy to see if there is a sound hole. On yours, a little tougher to see.
Remove the pick up preamp and look with a mirror and a flashlight.

https://yairiluvr.wordpress.com/2009...r-dating-code/

GHS · #29 05-27-2018, 06:53 AM

For vindibona1, I too have a DY71, built in 1985. The top appears to have aged very well or someone had it tinted to match the koa back and sides. Dont know for sure and the Alvarez site is not sure either. It is an amazing guitar, lucky to have found it a good price three years ago.

Oldguy64 · #30 05-27-2018, 11:29 AM

I have five Alvarez guitars at present.
This Alvarez Yairi GY1 is the crown jewel of the collection.
It came to me, literally days before I lost my mother.
This guitar came and found me.
The guy that sold me My Alvarez Masterworks works in the shop where this thing showed up.
I was the first one he thought to call.
It’s one that I intend to keep.
My wife or kids can do with it what they will after the box has been closed and they start tossing dirt in my face.