Alvarez Yairi DY-85A

Completed by Yairi on 11/16/1983 and bought new by myself 1/18/1984.

Beautiful grained spruce top. Parabolic transversed bracing under the top for better voicing and response.

Ebony bridge and fingerboard.

Gold plated Grover tuners.

Extensive Mother of Pearl inlays on fretboard and sound hole and abilone binding that outlines both top and bottom, fretboard and headstock.

Blues and finger pick are both at ease on this guitar.

Bright tones and harmonics are right where you want them.

Currently using a DiMarzio DP138 with volume control for pick up. Do not want to permanently mount a pickup or plug into this beautiful body. Miked sounds are great but lack the soul of a pick up.

The tone has changed some over the years to what is now a classic sound that you must hear to truely appreciate.

Never been reset from the time I bought it new.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it I say.

Flawless in detail and workmanship. My idea of the ultimate instrument.

Played live in the early - mid 80's with this guitar.
Since then I don't live play any more other than for self satisfaction. But if I did I'm sure that this thing would do without a backup without any problems.

The finish today is as near original as any other guitar I've evr seen. Talk about lasting impressions.

The Grover gears are still the "set and play quality" they were when new.

Luckily, I've never needed to use them.

I did send in the registration when bought new that has a Lifetime Warranty to the original, (that's me), purchaser.

Been playing since age 14 so I guess that maked it around 40 years.

If lost or stolen I'd love to find another one. Problem with that is I know I'd not find one in as good of over all shape as this one.

Love the overall playability of this guitar along with the beautiful look.

Looked at Martins and others in 1984 but found this one to have the unique distinction of sound, quality and looks that I wanted.

During the time I purchased this guitar there were what I would say was a limited number of good units out on the market that one could pick from without spending over a grand on and end up with less than the perfect playing guitar. Since then and recently I have found numerous guitars in the less expensive catagory that play great. Some with wonderful sounds. But alas, I'll keep this one til I die and hope that someone will enjoy it half as much as I have.

1983 model=bought used 3 years ago.Solid spruce top,sides and back appear to be indian rosewood.Top notch workmanship,very well put together.

I play bluegrass semi-professionally-This guitar has plenty of power-can cut through the mix,even with the best banjos(my brother plays a 1952 Gibson rb-250 archtop).Have used it on two recordings and it records probably the best of any I have heard.It's a little high on the mids,but it is getting ready to have the neck reset-this should help even out the tone with the increased saddle.About two years ago,I replaced the original saddle and nut with bone and put a mahogany patch-this really opened it up.I have played several martins,santa cruz,and blueridge-I always come back to this one!

As I said before,the workmanship is top notch on this guitar.IT'S 23 years old,and we play around 130 dates a year,so it has held up well.

Once again,I have had no real problems with it-I have a hard driving playing style(similar to Larry Sparks)and it gives no trouble.

Was bought used-no warranty

This guitar suits my style just fine.The only way I would replace it is with a 1950's D-28-but then I wouldn't feel comfortable dragging it around all over the country.