Alvarez Yairi DY-45AV

Bought it in Carrboro, NC as a wedding present from my wife in 94, and I believe it was made in '93, and handmade in Japan. It's a Dread, with solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, with a satin finish that gives off a wonderful reddish glow. The standard 500 series preamp and pickup system came with it and I've never had trouble with the active electronics (minus drained batteries ;) or feedback of any kind. It sounds superb in studio recordings direct. The neck seems to be rosewood and the fretboard ebony. The tuners are covered and decent enough, never needing anything. The case is a very sturdy faux blue leather with plush interior (which the cat seems to really enjoy).

I play acoutic folk-ternative/pop stuff (http://devonpowell.dmusic.com) and believe me, I played every (I mean EVERY) guitar brand I could find before settling on and buying this one. It's awesome as a rhythm guitar for sure. I play it plugged in direct for recording (flat all around) and then thru a Fender Twin for shows. It sounds very clean and even after over 10 years. The saddle/bridge when the string pins connect started to have some of the strings pull thru the body of wood on the bridge, and occassionally if strummed too aggressively in attack, a buzz could come of it. Very seldom.

Set up so that I didn't buy anything else, that's all I can say. The pickup/electronics held in by the little sticky-clip fell off a few times over the 10+ years, but nothing major beyond that. No flaws at all that I can recall.

It withstands everything. I've not bought another guitar in over 10 years because this guitar does it all. I recently took it to have it professionally set up (for the first time ever) and the tech told me he didn't even have to adjust the neck. The finish is solid, and the only issues are the dings I've put in it myself. I've used it on gigs without a backup, I have never had a problem.

Never had to.

Been playing for over 20 years, and I own a Taylor K12ce that I just bought a few months ago because the guy selling it was doing so for a ridiculous price (and it sounds amazing as a lead guitar and for fingerpicking plugged in). No other acoustic guitars...

If someone stole my Yairi, they would have to drag my cold, dead fingers off of the neck.

I love the sound quality and warmth. It booms unplugged, but with balance. Plugged in, it just sounds awesome as well...particularly in studio recordings. I compared to every major brand there is (no specialty guitars, tho). I wish it had the ability to clone itself.

Same as the above review, has the System500 Pickup/Preamp system, which is truly astounding. It produces an incredible sound amplified. Satin sunburst finish, inlays around soundhole and body, mother of pearl inlays on fretboard, with a really nice design on the 12th fret. Dreadnought, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, BEAUTIFUL rosewood fretboard, nice case.

I play blues, jazz, rock, classical, acoustic rock, rhythm and lead - with finger picking, flat picking, and using a glass and steel slide. I play in a church, in a rock-loving Youth group, and in an acoustic rock band. I use my "baby" to play rhythm AND lead! I use a Laney GC120C amp (120 watt), and it sounds great clean and overdriven. It's also great just straight into a PA system. I also play unplugged in some small settings, and it sounds just as great. In fact, when I play with others unplugged, my guitar always is heard above theirs because of it's superb resonation (not because I bang the strings!)

Oh, the action. OH!!! The action. Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. Like butter - melted butter. Intonation is perfect all the way up; the only problem I've encountered is with some string brands the D string will buzz sometimes. This could be fixed easily however by adjusting the truss rod. The guitar is put together like a piece of art and like a workhorse all at the same time. It will last forever - it's been through subzero Michigan winter temperatures and 90 + degree North Carolina summer temperatures, been played outside in those conditions, been through rigorous touring for 5 years, and is no worse for wear.

Durable as all get-out! Finish stays beautiful. I use it constantly, and I don't have a backup guitar - don't need one! Actually, sometimes I play a Les Paul Classic when we do rock gigs, but I prefer my Yairi to it - the action is BETTER! I litterally melt into my "baby"

Lifetime warranty. Never needed it.

When I decided to buy a new guitar, money was not an option. I had been playing for about 5 years when I went looking, and had done oodles of research on what to look for in a guitar. I played everything: Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, Washburns, you name it, I tried it. But none of them, and I literally mean NONE of them (including the Martin D45) compared to the DY45AV. I went back and forth for about two days, played the Martins and Taylors again, and the yairi, and put down the money. I have since then NEVER played a guitar I liked better. I have a good friend who just bought a new Taylor, and another friend who has last year's Ovation Anniversary special guitar, and neither comes close. I am thoroughly convinced that there is no better acoustic guitar in existence. Find one and play it - I guarantee you'll agree.

Made in Japan,1993. Solid Spruce Top.Mahogany one piece neck.Rosewood fingerboard. 20 frets.Dark satin finish. equipped with standard system 500 electric pickup. Hand Made.

Sounds great unplugged. Plays great with blues,rock, and country.Amplified with a Crate GX-40C. No problems with feedback,(sometimes common with electric-acoustics). Rich tone with John Pearse light strings.

Factory setup was outstanding. Does need an occasional adjustment after changing strings. The satin finish seems to show the minor knicks and scratches a little,though. Tuners hold admirablely.

This guitar would have no problems with gigs. I've played it constantly for the past 5 years, and it has shown very little wear.

Never had any problems. Lifetime warranty.

I've been playing on and off for 32 years, and it's the best acoustic I've owned, and I've Gibson and Washburn.If it was stolen or lost, I'd love to replace it, but its an anniversary model, very hard to find.