Alvarez Yairi DY-63

DY-63
Year: 1985 MIJ
Solid Cedar Top
Pick Ups - Saddle Peizo
Active Electronics
Body is Koa, I think the back is solid, not sure about sides, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard
Satin Finish
Body style - dreadnaught

I read a review before mine and I think he must have been referring to a DY-68 not a DY-63 because nothing seemed to match my guitar.
I play this through a PA and it sounds great with great adjustments for tone and volume. I have a DY91 with a Fishman PU and I like this one better. Also have a Gibson Songwriter deluxe and they are very close in quality and performance. The tone is rich and bright.
I wish it were a cut away but not that big of a deal. Pound for pound I think this is the best A/E I've ever owned.

The quality of build, fit, finish are excellent. Plays like butter.

This guitar is 20 years old and there is no evidence of anything not functioning or excess wear. It almost looks like new and everything is outstandingly functional. I use it for solo gigs.

Never dealt with them. However, the bridge on my DY - 91 is splitting so I guess I'll soon find out. However, there have never been any problems with this DY-63.

I've been playing for 30 years. This is my best guitar investment yet. I would definately buy another if this were stolen.
Tone, playability and A/E performance and my favorite features. If you seen one for sale jump on it. They are very rare and I don't think they're made anymore. I think only the DY-62 is still in production.

I have a 1985 DY 63 signature yairi made in Japan. It has a cedar top and ovlankol back and sides and a rosewood neck. The pickup in it is the original bi-phonic stereo pickup. It has a satin finish on it. It has binding on the body and around the soundhole. The binding on the top is 7 layers of wood. I have them written down somewhere but it's not a big deal. The back binding is one layer of maple. It has a center strip down the back of maple with ebony on each side of that. It has an abalone inlay on the 12th fret with no other markings on the fret board. The soundhole has an abalone ring around it with another 3 layer wood ring inside of that. The bridge has individual string saddles. The headstock has a maple strip down the treble string side, and a diagonal strip of abalone and ebony. The hardware is gold. The pickup has 2 volume and 2 tone nobs with a mono/stereo switch and two output jacks. The pickup in stereo splits the treble and bass strings. You can still use all 4 nobs for adjustments even in mono which is nice. The body style is a standard dreadnaught.

The sound quality is excellent. I play it straight through a PA with the original pick up. The pick up is wanting though. It's an 85 so I can't expect too much from the electronics but the electronics rob the natural sound of the guitar especially the lower end. It sounds to manufactured and not natural as the guitar sounds unplugged. I usually bang on it pretty hard and get little fret buzz unless I go too far. They playability is excellent for a dreadnaught. The higher frets could play a little easier though. I play on Elixer lights or extra lights so they heighten the sound of the guitar. I have had many compliments on the playability and sound quality of the guitar and they are well deserved. The only drawback to the sound for me is the treble E string. I never have liked the sound totally no matter what string I have on it. It always sounds slightly off pitch and at times doesn't blend will with the other 5 strings. When playing a chord instead of fingerpicking it's not noticeable though. The low end sound of the guitar is excellent. I think the bass is the strongest point of this guitar's sound.

I have not had the action adjusted so the guitar is just like it was the day it was made. I'm sure that slight adjustmenst could be made now that it is almost 17 years old but it would only be a slight tweeking. The pickup has it's own adjustment but the sound has never suited me. The wood is excellently matched front and back. You can't even tell where the two meet in the front. Everything about the construction of the guitar was excellent which you can expect from a handmade instrument. There are no glue smudges or finish smudges.

It is now close to 20 years old and this guitar has taken it all in stride. They tuners are still great and so is the bridge and frets. The finish is worn just below the high E string from my constant pick abuse but that is expected. The cedar is very easy to scratch but it is a soft wood so that is also expected. I could not ask for a more durable guitar. It stays in tune and does surprisingly well even under temperature changes. I would play it anywhere. I've never had any problem anywhere with it.

I have called the USA distributor for Yairi and they have always been helpful on questions I have had about the wood. I dont' know about any warranty on the guitar but I don't see having any problem that I would need one for, it just doesn't tear up. There is not a whole lot of info left on this guitar though. I wish there was a way to get in touch directly with the Yairi factory in Japan though.

I've been playing for a little over 5 years. Overall it's a great dependable guitar that I enjoy the sound of and don't think I could upgrade as far as tone quality goes. I'm very picky about the sound so that's a great compliment. I've had multiply people try to buy it from me and those who tried said they would rather have this than the old Martin that they currently use. I can't back that up because I do not own a Martin but they were respectable players who owned a lot of vintage old gear and had been playing since the 60's at least. I like the simple look and great sound of this guitar. If I had it to do over again I would have bought this same one, no doubt. These guitars are relatively cheap even new so someone looking for a no frills guitar with a solid sound would be impressed. I'm glad that I bought it.