Alvarez Yairi DY-79

This is a beatiful anniversary edition 6-string with a toacco burst finish and gold plated hardware. There is a plate on the back of the headstock that reads: "Made by Kazuo Yairi commemorating the 60th anniversary of SLM 1922-1982".

I added an end pin bridge pick-up.

It is my daily player, so it's starting to show some wear on the finish and plating. I love this guitar, and wouldn't want to play any other on a daily basis.

It has a very bright sound, lots of volume, and plenty of bass as well.

I got mine used in a trade for a no-name Fender copy and a Crate practice amp in 1987. The only time it ever got any work done is when I added the pick-up in 2003. The action is superb, the fit is great, and the finish is spectacular but showing some wear.

This guitar never sees a case. It is always in my living room on a stand. I play it 5-10 imes a week for about an hour at a time. I'm not affraid to play it hard, and it's never had any problems.

I contacted SLM about this guitar twice indirectly. Once, I got a quote from a local dealer for sending it to the factory for refinishing. The price was reasonable, but it wasn't that flawed to risk having someting go wrong that would de-value the guitar.

The second time, a friend, who alo loved the guitar, e-mailed someone at SLM to find out what she could about the model. She told me the approximate production figure was 230 units.

This guitar must be somewhat rare. Many guitar appraisal books fail to list this model.

The perfect guitar! I like the narrow neck width. I often play the 5th and 6th strings with my thumb, and it fits my style perfectly. Also, my friends with small hands seem to like it.

I like it so much, I have a standing search running on ebay for this model. I've only seen one come up for bid in the last 2 years, but it needed some major bridge repair work. If I could find another, I'd buy it for a friend who tries to buy mine whenever he plays it.

1981 DY79/12 12 string... See below for details...

Awesome... Awesome... Booming lows, bell like highs... Loud and strong sound. Neck is nice like a Hagstrom, easy to play...

Well, 23 years old and still going strong. No defects no problems. One fine guitar.

23 years, what can I say...

Never contacted them...

Been playing for over 35 years and this is the best sounding 12 string acoustic I have ever played. I have over 60 guitars in my collection but when I want to play a 12 string acoustic, I turn to the DY-79... Easy to play, stays in tune and is a rock solid guitar. Alvreze is one of the most underated guitars in the world. I own Gibsons, Guilds, Gretsch and other top of the line guitars but the Yaris always out shine them all... If you want a great guitar at a great price, get an Alveraze or Yari...

This Alvarez-Yairi DY-79 was built in Japan and set up and sold through St. Louis Music in the USA. The solid top sports a dark tobacco-burst fading to black. The wood grain is visible. In low light the guitar looks black - it is that dark. There is beautiful abalone inlay that encircles the soundhole and edges. This inlay 'lights up' and gives the instrument a unique sparkle. The sides and back are black as is the back of the neck and headstock. There is a woodgrain 'stripe' on the back. The finish is glossy. The body is Jumbo style - I am a large (and tall) person and it feels like a big guitar even to me. The neck is substantial and does not taper much at the nut. It is a guitar that has to be 'played'. I got my DY-79 used and the music store tossed in a gig bag with the deal. After the purchase I upgraded to new tuners and bridge pins. As for negatives, it could really use a body mounted strap button. A previous owner added one (in a bad, bad place) and the decorations on the guitar preclude putting one where it makes the most sense.

This guitar is loud even when playing fingerstyle and strumming fills a large room with no amplification. I use a Dean Markley single-coil soundhole pickup into a Peavey KB-300 keyboard amp or I just run it through a PA. The sound is more bass to mid oriented but lighter strings can brighten it up some.

The action right now is good, but the truss rod adjustment seems to be frozen so that will need some attention. The fit and finish flaws are just the 'scars of love' gleaned from 22 years of hard service.

This guitar is a tank - It would withstand any live situation imaginable. The finish is worn around the pickguard but that is no fault of the original finish - just hard use. The strap button is not solid because it was added later in the wrong place. Not only would I use this at a gig with no backup, if I could have just one guitar to take me through the Tribulation, this would be the one.

The company (St. Louis Music) does not have much history or information on the guitar but they did sell me correct tuning gears and bridge pins at an incredible price. This shows me that they were still willing to help me keep this rare bird in circulation. I wish I could find out more history or how many were made, but it is not to be.

I have been playing acoustic and electric for 25 years. Along with the DY-79, I play a Alvarez AJ60SC-12, a Godin LG, and a Kramer strat style electric. I amplify the acoustics with the Peavey KB or a PA and the electrics with a Fender Champ (tube) or Fender Twin Chorus. If it were stolen or lost I doubt I would find another one, but I would certainly look into getting another Yairi. My favorite feature is that it sounds like a million bucks but I can leave it lying around the living room and not worry about it getting a 'ding'. When I bought it, I played every acoustic guitar in the store from $179 up to $3,000 and when I picked it up, it sang to me. I wish it had an internal pickup but I don't want to mess it up having one put in. Final thought: Don't sell the guitars you really enjoy playing just because they are not "name brand" - 'playing' is a lot more fun than 'having'.

Made in 1982, 60th anniversary of St.Louis Music
12/14 frets
End pin,no volume control
Very dark sunburst. Very cool abalone inlays all over theguitar!

Rich /Full sound "Booms" lke any Gibson or Guild Jumbo.Sustains a note forever!

I got this guitar on e-bay, I do not know if it waqs "set up " along the way. The action and
finnish are UNBELIEVABLE ...I like it better than my 20th anniversary TAYLOR.

I play at home and at parties for my friends, I have many guitars I like to bring this one out when there is company...it shows well with all the inlays contrasting the Tobacco sunburst.

Dissapointed the factory had no info on it, they acknowledge they made the guitar but had no more info on it.

I have been playing for 22 years, Own a Taylor ( 20th anniv. Grand Auditoriun),a Guild f-46 (very rare ...the actual design that Clapton used when he played a guild) ,a Guild D55 , Gibson 82'Les Paul and a Fender Strat...This guitar is quickly becoming my favorite.
If stolen or lost I would try tro find another
I love the action and ease of play, with awesome soud...you can play soft opr hard no difference.