Why does my Yairi DY57 make me work so hard?

[Dru Edwards]

Hi John, as others have mentioned a setup may help. No reason why your Yairi can't be made more playable (hopefully it doesn't need a neck reset).

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Hi John, as others have mentioned a setup may help. No reason why your Yairi can't be made more playable (hopefully it doesn't need a neck reset).

+1

Could be setup. Could be neck needing reset. Could be bellying. Hopefully the setup is the issue and not the other two. But Yairis are built very well and are not reputed to need neck resets, even those 40 years+ old.

[123john]

Thanks everyone! I can’t see any obvious physical problems so I am going to get it set up and see what difference that will make.

[Dreadfulnaught]

Originally Posted by 123john

Neither guitar has had a set up and both have the same strings. My quest right now is about understanding what goes into making a guitar easy or hard to play.

Scale length has something to do with it. Shorter scale means lower string tension for the same pitch, which means easier to play. String height has something to do with it, higher strings=louder but harder to fret. String gauge has something to do with it. Heavier strings will give more sound but are harder to play. It’s all a compromise.

[roylor4]

+1 on what Andrew said.

Also, the string spacing at both the saddle and nut can make a difference as can the profile (shape) of the neck. All these can make a difference in playability and can be very person specific.