Alvarez Yairi D-18 Copy

This is a Japanese built D-18 copy made around 1975. It has a solid spruce top and I believe laminated mahogany sides and back. Originally it came with cheap tuning heads and plastic saddle and nut. I replaced these with grovers and bone. It does have a nice V shaped mahogany neck.

I'm giving it a lower number for the plywood vaneers.

I use it as an open D guitar. I have put a high bone saddle in it to raise the action a bit for slide playing.

Now this guitar really does sound spectacular. Very surprising. Putting the higher saddle on it really activated the guitar's tone. It's bright and sparkly with a ample tight bottom end. Fairly loud.

I've owned the guitar since 1979. My uncle willed it to me on his passing. I always played it to practice around the house and camping etc. It's had a bit of a rough life but has no damage other than a scrapes and scratches. It stays in tune well. I suspect the finish might be nitro laquer as it's thin and fragile.

I would love to get another one of these. They are great instruments in the low $ range. It was probably one of the earliest solid top Japanese instruments along with Yamaha, Yamaki, and Takomine. With replaced machine heads, frets, nut and saddle, this is a sweet heart.