Alvarez Yairi DY-77

1992 model hand crafted in Japan by Kazuo Yairi. Standard Dreadnaught model, very much a cross between a Martin D-28 Herringbone and a D-35. Solid, matched (I hate it when it doesn't match) spruce top w/herringbone binding, rosewood sides and 2 piece rosewood back. Neck is mahogany with creme binding, snowflake inlays and Schaller style tuners. Rosewood bridge, white pegs w/abalone inserts. I have added a L.R. Baggs double barrel pickup system to it. I'm giving this 9 because the only thing it lacks is a cutaway, but that probably would have messed with the tone.

Mostly I play folk, singer/songwriter stuff and this is perfect for that. Flatpicking is also good but it doesn't respond real well to hard strumming. I bought it primarily due to the rich articulation of notes, especially the low E which is the richest sound I've ever heard. The tone is very well warm and well balanced, a quality Alvarez-Yairi's are known for.

After a proper setup, the guitar's action is quite low, as low as some electrics, and doesn't buzz at all, even with a capo! As mentioned before, one of my pet peeves is the lack of care of most American manufacturers when it comes to matching tops. I can't stand when they're two different colors or the grain is nowhere near close to matching. If I'm paying big time buck, or small time for that matter, it better match! The top matching on this is flawless. The herringbone binding is superb. This guitar's fit and finish easily matches or exceeds $2000-$3000 guitars all day long.

This guitar is a lifer. Once you get your hands on it, you never want to let it go. Backup, schmackup. What for???

Lifetime warranty. No experience with them.

I've played for 30+ years, mostly acoustic. In that time I've played A LOT of guitars. I was raised on Gibson and Martin and Guild, so I know a thing or two about quality. I played all of them, plus some Taylors, Takamines, etc. Nothing even came close except for another Yairi. Something about this one just grabbed my soul. They'll (Yairi's) do that you know. If this guitar were lost or stolen I would mourn it like the loss of a loved one. The up side is, Alvarez-Yairi makes a ton of nice guitars. The build quality is very consistent so I have no doubts I could replace it, but it might take awhile. I have become a huge fan. Even their Alvarez line is head and shoulders above the competition. I think they're the best damned guitars on the planet, bar none.

Accoustic dreadnaught, hand-made in July, 1975, in Japan. I bought it new at a music store in Mt Pleasant, PA, that is no longer in business. I had an old Harmony that accidentally got smashed and I wasn't even sure if I was going to replace it. One day my wife and I were browsing around when this guy shows me this guitar whose manufacturer I never heard of, Alvarez Yairi. He didn't even pronounce the name right. Called it a (Ya-rear-i)! It was exceptionally well-made, but not flashy at all. Ebony fingerboard, which delivers a confident feel. In any case, I played it, bought it, still have it, still play it, it's in close to mint condition, and it's been outstanding in every way. He included a hard shell case.

I do some solo playing and singing - strumming, finger-picking, and some leads. By no means is my playing to be confused with Segovia, but the sound produced by this instrument is sweet and true in all registers. It's not necessarily a bright ringing sound that you may get from a Taylor or other make, but it's tenor is full and aromatic. How's that for a description of sound! Not smelly, but aromatic. Big difference.

Flawless and beautifully functional from the factory. At first I thought the action was just a tad high, but after playing it for a while, I no longer have that opinion. Strange, isn't it? Simply a fine guitar.

I've been playing this instrument for twenty-five years and other than a few very minor nicks, it looks like the day I took it out of the case. As time goes on, I enjoy playing more.

Never had to deal with the service people.

This guitar is like my friend. I've been paying for about twenty-eight years and I've got a microphone and amplifier - nothing fancy. Since there's no pick-up, I'm looking for an accoustic electric so I can better balance my vocals with the guitar. I've considered putting a pick-up inside this one, but I don't want to alter it's tone quality. I've been playing some other brands, but after all is said and done, I believe I'm going to look for another Yairi, either new or used. Since this one's been so good for so long, I have a lot of confidence in the manufacturer. Plus, I may save some $ by going with a used one. Know of one?