Alvarez Yairi DY-200

Manufacture date ~1999.
Made in Japan.
Standard dreadnaught solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides with maple binding. Mahogany neck with maple bound ebony fretboard and 12Th fret inlay. Ebony dual coupled bridge. Abalone rosette. Hardshell very well padded wood Alvarez deluxe case with vinyl covering.

Very refined sweat sound, surprisingly enough it doesn't have as much of the high resonance/sustain sort of echoey sound that the the lower model Yairi's get from their tops (DY-85, DY-90 & 91). This is probably because the lower models rely on getting more of the sound from the solid wood scaloped braced tops whereas the 200 gets its full bodied sound from the top and solid back and sides, [Contrary to what many believe the lower model Yairi's back and sides are laminated not solid wood] The 200's sound is refined, balanced, and full bodied with good bass -only very slight boominess. The neck is bound in maple and is slightly thinner in thickness (front to back) then a std. Martin D-28 neck. The sound is distinct from, probably not as loud as most, but on par with higher end Martins, Taylors, Collings. I currently own the DY-61,85,90,91 and 200 and have previously owned the DY-70 (good guitar) and WY-1. My use of this guitar is mainly for rhythm playing.

The action is set low but not super low. The top has a tight grain pattern and is slightly golden hued. The headstock in a nice rosey appearance with the A-V inlay. The nut though is one of those that is not 90 degress to the side (which I would prefer as they are easy to shave while maintaining correct 90 degree angle). The dual coupled bridge gives the ideal 45 degree string angle into the peg holes. High grades of ebony and rosewood, bookmatched back.

No problems. Since I have numerous guitars it doesn't get all that much playing time. The tuners seem to have a bit of play which you can notice when you back off tension when lossening a string. I haven't noticed this on the lower model Yairi's. This is probably due to design and a lower gearing ratio - they may be in fact, higher quality tuners.

Excellent, Tom Kruszka the technical person at SLM is very helpful.

Have been playing recreationally for over 20 years (only wish my playing showed it). I have alot of other guitars, but this guitar is one of the best. These guitars are pricey new and you don't see many used ones. I have a Martin D-35 which I like alot. Might replace the 200 with a Martin D-41 or D-45, or Collings D-2. Taylor 810, or a John Goodall rosewood model.

The Yairi DY 200 dreadnought made in Japan in 2000. The guitar has a solid sitka spruce top (aged for 3 to 4 decades and has as tight a grain as you will ever find), solid rosewood sides and back. Has an ebony fretboard, mahogany neck with maple binding (very nice) all over the body and neck. A Fishburn EQ installed after original purchase. Alvarez's own Direct Coupled Bridge for better tone and to prevent the bridge from ever pulling up. Original Alvarez gold tuners with pearlized tuning pegs. A real beauty and the company's extreme high end guitar.

I am an acoustic rock and folk fan and this guitar suits those just fine. Very, very full loud sounding acoustic without the overbearing bass you will find in another famous American acoustic. Take my word for it, it is as good as it gets. Plugged in it does well, but obviously this guitar was made to be enjoyed acoustically.

Best acoustic neck in the world. Yairi acoustics are so playable that if you find a model that suits your taste you should jump at it. I have played hundreds of acoutics and have never, ever found an acoustic that plays easier than the Yairi. No glaring flaws at all. Like I said before, this is one of the best pieces of wood I have ever seen.

I don't know about this one, but I have a Yairi DY 62 and it is extremely durable. Owned it 10 years and finally had to get a slight adjustment. I am not exactly a guitar's best friend. I would have to believe this instrument could probably play through anything. I was not the original owner and this guitar is still brand new looking.

I had been searching for quite a while for a top of the line acoustic guitar and I just happened to stumble upon this one. These are very hard to find as Alvarez doesn't put out the volume that other companies do. This is because everything is still done by hand. I would only replace this guitar with the Yairi DY 500 (the companies new flagship guitar) because it is the same guitar only with Abalone everywhere. Do yourself a favor, hunt one down and buy it. I was lucky for $1300, but anything in the $2000 range is very good. Any other company would charge $3000-$4000 for this quality.

It was handmade in Japan in 2000. Is an acoustic, standard dreadnaught size with solid Sitka spruce top and solid Indian Rosewood back and sides. It has maple body binding, an ebony fretboard with maple binding and an ebony direct coupled bridge. It has a gloss vintage lacquer and has gold Yairi sealed tuners with pearl handles. Included HSC.

It perfectly suits my music style which is primarily country and folk. I bought the guitar because it sounds better than any guitar I have ever played in 25 years. I usually play miked. It has a beautiful rich and full sound, particularly in the mids and highs.

The guitar was adequately set up at the factory. The only flaw is a small bubble in the lacquer on the back about the size of a pin head. Other than that, it could not have been more perfect.

As any guitar with all solid wood and scalloped braces, care must be taken with it. I am not a rocker...play mostly in church and it will live forever on that scene. I have had two other Alvarez's, one a Yairi, and have found them to be the most dependable I've ever owned.

Warranted for life. I have had service w/ St. Louis Music before and they are fast and good.

I have been playing for 25 years. I currently own another Yairi and an Alvarez, both 12 strings. I would replace this guitar with this guitar and none other. I will sound the pants off a Martin D28 (or Martin D40 which is really it's twin) or any Taylor I've ever played. This is the top of the line Yairi dreadnaught and I am not disappointed at all.