Alvarez Yairi DY-50

I bought this one in 1978 when they were first issued. I have a fairly low edition number.

Sound is rich and full, this guitar was my primary performance guitar for many years and I've installed various types of transducers in it over the years.

Setup was good. Action is a little on the high side at the body but otherwise very good.

Guitar is great for live situations, well made, durable, sturdy.

never had to deal with the company

I've played for 35 years, own tons of gear, guitars, etc. If this guitar was stolen, I'd be heartbroken and would want to find another one.

9.5 I bought this guitar new in 1979 in Arkansas. It is a fairly high edition number, but was the best playing guitar I ever picked up and the price $550 new in 1979 was fair including a hardshell case. Actually I traded a 63 Ludwig clubdate drum set for it, (no cymbals included) even trade. I guess the drums would be worth more today, but Oh well! It has a Martin thinline pickup in it now. The figured wood is beautiful and I love the deep richness of the darker cedar top. Tone is amazing, and better than either of my vintage J45 gibsons. (69 and a 67)

I play in church mostly and around the house, but I gotta tell you that this one doesn't come out of the case much because I want to limit fret and body wear. I plan to pass it down through the family from father to son, etc. The tone is beautiful and amplifies well, No acoustic guitars of that era had active electronics and the pickup is a little weak, I used to have a really cool vintage d'aderio sound hole pickup on it, but it didn't look as good.

Action was amazing from factory and it's never been changed or adjusted. It may be a little less than perfect now, but I can't tell. The finish on the guitar shows a little top character now, but still good for a guitar that has been played. No checking or scratches other than some pick scratches on the pickguard and a bit on top of sound hole. The top is consistantly rich and seasoned with a darker hue than you usually find on a natural top guitar.

I want to "SAVE" it rather than play it so it will last in as best shape as possible, but it is a durable guitar and I would expect it to hold up well under playing conditions. It holds tune very well and intonation throughout the fretboard seems very accurate. It "barrs" well all the way to the octave.

Never had any repair issues. The only thing I've ever had to do is tighten the nut on the pin jack for the pickup.. That is a pain because it takes a childs arm to get inside the chamber to hold the jack while you tighten it. I love my kids for their help.

I love this guitar. My son learned to play on it and he loves it. He has my vintage red sunburst Gibson J 45 now. The Dy50 will be a heirloom handed down to him someday. I am looking for others of the edition to possibly buy so I can get him one. I wish it were a lower edition number. I wonder what they are selling for now? And I wonder if anyone has compliled a listing of the edition and locations and condition. How many of the 900 are left and in what condition?

1979 model, this is another limited edition, anniversary guitar make by K. Yairi. The guitar itself is very pretty, the top is solid cedar. the back and sides seem to be solid, but it is hard to tell for sure. The grain pattern sometimes seems to show that it might be laminate, but the woods used are consistent, a beautiful burled or curly mahogany.


The neck looks like Mahogany, not sure. The tuners are chrome, yairi emblem, the neck is very easy to play. the finger board looks like ebony or rose wood? Not sure, but is has no sign of wear.

Most people keep a guitar they like, and love their guitar if they have had it long enough, but this guitar is well made, resistant to weather and use. I have played it indoors and outdoors, in warm weather, cold winter weather, and now live in a very dry state. This guitar has had little trouble. Just a few adjustments over time (25 years now).

Mine has a Martin thinline piezo installed in it, and was upgraded with a preamp in '98. Sound is warm and smooth, and plugged in this guitar has better warmth than my Martin. the bass notes are not as clear as a rose wood guitar, but the middle is rich, and the upper strings are not too strong, but not too subtle.

It sounds wonderful, mine especially sounds great plugged in as well.

very easy to play, very consistent.

outstanding and beautiful guitar.

Only a few things have needed to be done over 25 years time. It has been a great guitar.

played for 30 years now. I play weekly in church, and in a few small groups. I also own a Martin and a Washburn accoustic, and have used some others over the years. This has been my best guitar, and I love playing it. I would recommend this guitar, it is an excellent value used.

1979 DY50 Limited Edition, solid top, beautiful bookmatched two piece back looks like birdseye. i changed the tuners to Grovers because those are my favorites, but the stock ones were ok.

i bought this because it sounded and looked like a Martin, which i couldnt afford at the time. since then ive had the money for a Martin several times, and searched a good deal. if i ever find a Martin that sounds as plays as good as this Alvarez, ill buy it.

guitar is flawless, after a professional truss rod adjustment and a little fret dressing the action was low and fast.

ive used this guitar steadily since i bought it. it records beautifully. for a while i had a martin under the bridge pickup but changed that later to a fishman.

37 years professional, touring, recording, all styles just about. if it was lost or stolen it would be a tragedy, i dont think the new ones are quite as nice.
ive played some of this companies classical guitars and they are outrageously good for the price. like all guitars, dont buy unseen, get it in your hands first, but these Yairis match up against any Martin, Taylor, Gibson or Larivee ive ever tried. i think i paid around $700 with a hard case, and i woulnd take twice that for it today.

I have rated this at a 7, but for me this is a near perfect rating because this guitar is perfectly featured for me. I bought it new 14 years ago and it looks as good today as when new. Workmanship is excellent and wood grain is beautiful.

I owned a high-line Martin prior to purchasing the Yairi. I immediately sold the Martin. I have never owned a guitar that records as good as this one. An extremely balanced tone across the entire range and the intonation is great on all frets.

This guitar was set up great from the factory. However, I did choose to slightly lower the action, due to personal taste and the fact that I purchased a DY-40 with a higher action.

As stated earlier, my Yairi looks and works as well as it did 14 years ago.

I have never had a problem so I have no opinion on support.

You will never get me to sell my Yairi.

1989 Japan. Laminated Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Solid Spruce top. Pearl rosette. Ebony fingerboard. Mahogany neck. The bridge is black painted basswood I believe. I bought this off a fellow on ebay who claimed it was solid Brazilian rosewood. It's really hard to tell because the graid is very similar back and front but it is a laminate. Figure is awesome looking.

When I bought this guitar I was looking for a mid 1980's Yairi because I had one in college that I loved that was stolen. When tis one arrived I was a little dissapointed that the back and sides were laminate but when I played it I was in love. The sound on this one is better than both my Taylors AND my two Gibson J200s, Perfect Balance, volume, sustain, tone, everything.

I bought it used and had to adjust the truss rod and shave down the bridge a bit. I think the guy sold it because he didn't know how to do this, The action is perfect now. 14 years old and no need for a neck reset yet.

It's in fine shape after 14 years. Finish has a few back buckle scratches but has held up well.

These mid 1980's Yairis in the DYs can sound awesome for the money. As with all acoustics it's better to play before you buy but i have to say I got really lucky with this one.