Alvarez-Yairi DY-90

1974 Alvarez-Yairi model 5070, aka The Super Abalone dreadnought (model# changed to DY-90 in 1975). Bought in 1975 with a Martin harshell case included. Handmade (whatever that means) instrument in Japan according to documentation and looks like it was. Solid Canadian spruce top, very tight grain. 3 piece Jacaranda back, Jacaranda sides. Laquer finish. Ebony fingerboard, mahogany neck. Gold gover tunings keys. Lots of abalone inlay. Flawless workmanship. Looks great. I'm reluctant to rate a 10 on anything but I got to give credit when due.

No booming overtones or weak frequencies throught its tonal range. I fingerpicked, flatpicked chords and lead lines and its' tonal qualities, volume and ease of playing never let me down. May not be the loudest or warmest sounding guitar out there but I have played only 3 or 4 other acoustic guitars that I would consider parting with over this guitar. But those guitars are 3 or 4 times the cost. Used mostly now for home recording and still love its sound.

I have been the original owner of this box for over 31 years. I was thinking about buying a D-28 at the time but I liked this guitar better. Over time the D-28 would be worth more but I wouldn't have played it as much. Adjustments from the factory were very good, string height and action just right. Although I change it some when I installed a bridge pickup. Over the years has held up very well. Oxidation has been less than typical. Neck has never twisted or warped.

Played professionally for 10 years using this box. Country, folk, bluegrass, rock and pop. Received numerous complements on its tone and looks when I used it on stage. Very solid guitar. I played gigs with another guitarist who also had a DY-90. During a break between sets one night a drunk got up on stage and fell on top of his DY-90. I thought it would have been crushed to kindling wood but instead it had a small ding on the neck stock. Only thing I would want to change (because I have changed) is to have a cutway to reach the higher frets.

Never needed CS, although the guitar came with a lifetime warranty.

Over the years I have chances to "upgrade" to other fine "big name" acoustic guitars but I haven't made the jump because this guitar is a sentimental favorite of mine. I guess that why I have kept it for 31 years. I have a couple electric guitars, Tom Anderson Drop Top, and Ibanez Joe Pass JP-20. It would be hard to find such a fine replaement guitar for the money if it was ever lost or stolen.

I got this guitar in Nashville Tennesse in 1976 from a now defunt music store out on the west side of the city. I was 22 years old back then, playing mostly for fun but occasionally for money. I used to hang out at the "Old Time Pickin' Parlor" down on 2nd avenue I believe, where I would sit and watch the likes of Norman Blake and Vassar Clements, see how they picked a song and then go home and try it myself. Every once in a while someone would show me how to play a great lick. To make a long story short, I had a cheap guitar but I ended up teaching guitar to beginners at this music store, and I got this DY-90 instead of getting paid. It's a fantastic instrument. Gold Grover tuning pegs, abalone inlaid just like a Martin D-45. spruce top and redwood back. It's been cared for with love for 30 years now, and it just gets better with age - like me!

The sound of the Yairi doesn't have quite the presence of an old Martin dreadnaught, but for my tastes it has a better ring to it. When mic'd (or I used a Barcus Berry) it sounds even better. I had relatively long, narrow fingers and a fairly narrow grip back then and the thin neck of this guitar fit me like a glove. Today, that's my only complaint though. As I got older, I guess my hands and fingers got fatter (I know my belly did), and now I wish it had a slightly wider neck. I play various finger pickin' styles and I find that I can play an old Yamaha nylon string guitar better than I can play this one, but it just doesn't have the same sound and it just doesn't look as good as my Yairi.

The setup from the factory was nearly perfect. I haven't made any changes to it. The back is as beautiful as the front, with mirrored pieces of redwood that have a fantastic grain pattern. It's a shame that side never faces the crowd. The other thing I really like is how well this guitar holds its tuning. I use a Boss TU-12 as a tuning aid (highly recommended) and I can leave this ax in the case for weeks, pull it out and it's still dead on tuning.

Extremely reliable and well constructed guitar. I don't really punish my guitars, but I expect that this one would hold up to anything you threw at it within reason.

Never needed support.

This was and still is a great guitar. I have been playing for over 40 years and during that time I have played hundreds of different guitars. I would rank my Alvarez Yairi DY-90 near the top of the list. If it were ever lost or stolen, I probably wouldn't replace it. That's only because I think I have enough guitars already, and my wife thinks so too.

Mine I purchase new in 1975 for $750.00. I could have bought a used Martin 1965 D-28 for the same price, well we know that the Martin is worth a lot more now. Mine has a solid spruce top and I have installed an under saddle pick-up. I believe all of the Dy-90's of this period have the same woods. Gold Grover tuners and yes it is a beautiful guitar and the top as aged nicely.

I played my DY-90 acoustic for 25 years and it served me well, but that being said, this guitar has a pretty sound, but the sound doesn't get out there and just doesn't ring, the under saddle pick-up makes up for that amplified it sounds great.

Workmanship was excellant. The factory set-up was what I expected and I didn't do anything to it for 25 years, but now I almost always have my instruments set up by a local luthier.

It's solid. Probably overbuilt.

Never had to use them.

I played it as my main ax until I bought my Martin D-18 5 years ago,so I played it for 25 years.
I keep this for sentimental value and I won't sell it, but I would not by another one considering what is now out there.

Mine is a 1985 model made in Japan. Of course this guitar did not come from the factory with a pickup so a lot of "features" do not apply to this review. It has a basic dreadnaught style body. The guitar for starter is full of abalone. It is decorated around the bridge. It also has the area where the neck and the body meet outlined in abalone. This one is over 20 years old and this guitar is still in excellent condition. It holds its tune like no other guitar I own. I live in an area where the temperture fluctuates horribly. If I want to sit down and strum for a while and don't feel like tuning a guitar, the my Yairi is the one I grabe

I use this guitar mainly for rock acoustic sets and it more than does the job. It looks good and has a great stage presence. It has a good sound whether I am playing with friends, or having it miked on stage. It also has a great pluged in sound. It maybe the guitar, the pickup, or a combination of the two. I used a Fishman Matrix.

Although this guitar was close to 20 years old when I obtained it, I have found no flaws or anything due to wear and tear. The only blemish on the guitar is that a 1 inch section of the abalone around the bridge fell out. It was that way when I received, so I am not sure if it was the workmanship of Yairi, or the misuse by the previous owner. Other than that, this guitar is flawless.

This guitar is more than 20 years and yes it can definately stand the live playing. What is so great is that this guitar still has the original tuners and they work like a charm. Everything is solid on this guitar and I use it all the time without a backup.

No opinion, never had to call them

I can't say enough about this guitar, it is more than I ever thought it would be. I love everything about it, and if Yairi hadn't made the DY90, I would have had to spend thousands of dollars to get an equivalent sounding and performing guitar. I have been playing guitar for more than 20 years. I own just about every type of guitar. In my acoustic collection, I have Ovation, Martin, Fender, among others, but when I play live or record my Yairi is what I prefer.

1987 DY90, purchased new in 1987. Yes, I'm the original owner! The guitar is tastefully inlaid with lots of abalone trim. Came with gold tuners embossed with the Yairi logo. The spruce top has aged beautifully, nice mellow golden color. This spruce is some of the best grained I've seen on a guitar. The guitar has the 3 piece rosewood back, gloss finished overall.

The neck is a bit thin for my long-fingered hands, but the action is nice for the fingerstyle player. I had a Fishman under saddle pickup installed about 6 years ago. Sounds really great amplified through Crate CA125D acoustic amp with a touch of reverb. I think the sound is best described as full, not especially bright or dark but resonably well-balanced. I generally use Elixer light strings, but have found a nice sound with the Martin silk and steels, also. Only complaint (minor) about the sound (unamplified) is that the guitar can be overpowered by heavy strumming and starts to muddy a bit under heavy attack. I probably would have rated the sound quality higher a couple of years ago before I plunked down some serious dough on a Taylor, but that's not a fair comparison at the price paid for each.

Never had any issues with set-up. The guitar has lived most of its life unhumidified (poor ignorant me) and seemed to suffer no ill effects. All the hardware works very well. The tuners have lost some of their gold finish over the years, but still function well. The quality of the construction is truly superior. The finish on the back has a bit of milkiness in it now...it's not cracking or anything and is still quite glossy. I first noticed this about 3 years ago. You really have to look hard to see it, but at certain angles to the light, it is visible against the dark wood.

I play at home for my own enjoyment so really cannot attest to how well this guitar would hold up on the road. I've kept it in a good case and treated it with care, but it still managed to pick up some minor dings along the way. I don't believe it would qualify as a "tank" but with proper care should last many years. I have noticed a minor bridge lift on the top, not separated, just showing a little tension bow if you view it from the right angle. Does not seem to be progressing.

I never had to have the guitar serviced for any reason other than a pickup installation.

I've been playing off and on for 30 years. Had a long layoff while the children were young and really became interested again about 8-10 years ago. I own a Yamaha FG160 bought new in 1974 and a Taylor 814 purchased 2 years ago. Epiphone acoustic amp and a Crate CA125D. If it were lost or stolen, I would buy something else...not a bad guitar, in fact it is a lovely guitar but I've discovered the playability of a wider neck suits my style more (almost all fingerstyle music). My favorite feature has to be the abalone inlays... Really nice work!

I just got my DY90, it is my 5th Alvarez Yairi - I have kept the DY90 and my '77 DY96. The others I donated to worthy children who needed gutiars (a AY DY74, an Alvarez 5053 and a AY DY91).

This DY90 has a laminated back and sides of gorgeous Jacaranda and lovely spruce top that has aged nicely. It's also got a pickup mounted under the saddle for playing out.

The DY90 has great abalone inlay everywhere and is a gorgeous instrument unplugged or lush plugged in. It's detail work and tone rival the best Martin and Gibson have to offer at a fraction of the price. The Martin style mahogany neck is really easy to play. Gold Grover tuners and abalone inlays on the really tightly grained ebony board. Also tremendous inlays on the top, sides and in between the Jacaranda panels - ala Martin D-45 (but nicer, I swear). I'd take an Alvarez Yairi over a Martin anyday.

I play at home and also I play out at Convalescent Homes. Unplugged it is a little quiet up against the carpenter/piano player I duet with. But plugged into my '67 Fender Deluxe Reverb it's great - I also use a LR Baggs Para DI EQ to get the exact tone I want. At home I play unplugged most of the time, but I also use a Zoom PS-02 when I want some Pat Metheny chorus/delay for the tone (through headphones).

The guitar has all the boom of a Martin D-35 but with more highs, which leaves the Martin in the dust (in my opinion). For less than 1/3 of what I'd pay for a D-35 with Brazillian rosewood (Martin used such plain timbers) I'll take the Alvarez and buy more guitars with the money I saved.

I bought the DY90 so I could take a gorgeous acoustic out to play without worrying so much that something bad would happen to the DY96 I have (which is the most amazing guitar I ever owned). The DY90 has filled that role perfectly.

I got this guitar used on eBay for $880.00. It has been played a lot, but I like seeing that a guitar has been played - I think instruments that got played have more soul. It came very well setup. The top, back panels and sides are very nicely bookmatched. In the case of the sides and back the Jacaranda is AMAZING, really great looking wood that is very carefully bookmatched. The guitar is just extremely well made and has held up very well for 30 years.

The main reason for buying this was so I COULD take it to play out. With the laminated sides and back I think it will withstand any temperature and humidity changes during brief travel in my car. The guitar is just very well made, it oozes class.

When I play out I do not take a backup, so any instrument that goes out is a good solid guitar with fresh strings that I know will do the job. Period.

I have never had to deal with Alvarez-Yairi but I HEAR from all the reviews I read that St. Louis Music is really great.

I take all my instruments to my tech, Dave Tupper, for all work needed. It's just easier to take it in person to him and pay him to do the work. I mean this guitar is 30 years old, and if I ever do have a problem with it Dave can handle it. I am already grateful to Alvarez-Yairi for making such great instruments. No cheap offshore work here.

I've been playing for 45 years now. I have had just about every kind of guitar that's out there. I have 8 guitars now and think the Yairi's are really great price performers. The older Yairis are real keepers. If you find a DY90 or DY96 grab them up. They are fantastic guitars. If stolen or lost I would buy another. I love how easy they are to play, how I feel inspired to play all kinds of tunes on them, I love the way they look and I like that they are still "unknown" commodities in the public market and can be bought fairly cheaply. I suggest next time you want a really great acoustic to look for an older Alvarez-Yairi, you will be glad you did.

Made in 1984 in Japan. Dreadnought styled after a Martin D-41 or D-45. Solid AAA Canadian Spruce top which has naturally aged to a golden color. Laminate African Heartwood Jacaranda 3 piece back and Jacaranda sides. High Gloss finish all over. This is before they changed to Rosewood and was called the DY90 Abalone Deluxe. Very thin and fast finished Mahogany neck. Bound ebony Fingerboard and ebony bridge. Gold A/Y (grover) tuners. After market Fishman Matrix Natural installed. MArtin deluxe Case. Abalone trim around soundhole, around outside of top, around outside of back, around bridge. Abalone A/Y logo on headstock. Abalone diamond shaped fret markers.
Abalone dotted bridge pins. Yeah, lots of abalone!

Very warm, rich bass. Loud like a dread should be, but not overly boomy. Can't really think of anything about sound I don't like. It's not as loud as my Yamaha FG345 Folk Jumbo. Excellent sustain

I bought this used about 3 years ago and am just now getting around to reviewing it. The workmanship is top notch. The abalone perfling fits to perfection all the way around. Some of the new Takamine Nashvilles I have recently seen have as much as an 1/8" gap between pieces an the just fill it in w/ epoxy! The Canadian spruce top is better than I've seen on most new Martins and Guilds. The only guitar I have played that sounds better is a Taylor 710 which uses Engleman spruce which is very similar in tone to Canadian. Even on the inside the bracing has no excess glue. The only defect I can see is that one of the tuning heads was mounted SLIGHTLY crooked. The action just right for me, no buzzing when I heavy strum but still low enough you don't need 2 hands for barre chords.

The top is softer than Sitka spruce and shows microphone dings and scratches more readily (similar to cedar). I guess this is the trade off if you want the warmer sound of Canadian. Since it is laminate back and sides, it is much more durable and forgiving of humdidity than an all solid guitar. I live in New Mexico and have NEVER humidified this guitar. There is not a single crack anywhere or even any lacquer checking after almost 20 years. It is very close to needing a neck reset and fret job, but I guess that would happen with any wood guitat after 20 years. Of course I depend on it and I have to gig without a backup.

I can honestly say that St. Louis Music has the best customer support of almost any company I'ver dealt with. They have spent much time helping me identify my model and supplying me with endless info, even though I bought the guitar used. I've never tried go send my guitar in for repair, but when the time comes for a neck reset, I'll sent it to them.

I've been playing 20 + years. Gig every weekend at various bars with an acoustic bass player. Acoustic Pop/Rock/Folk. Only have this and the Yamaha I mentioned. I run this with a Fishman Matrix through a Baggs para acoustic DI with a Zoom 504II effects peddle in the loop into a Carvin PA. I'm looking for a rainsong for gigging because this is showing some of the effects of playing out and I would like to keep it looking good. I will probalby switchoff gigging between the 2. I wish I had known more about this guitar when I bought it. I was told it had solid back and sides. I kind of bought this on a whim right after I came into some money. Fell in love with it's looks. I thought that this would suffice until I could afford a real "High End" solid guitar like a Taylor 710. I was trying a 710 and thought that it didn't really sound that much better than my DY90. I figured it was because of the acoustics of the music store.
After all, this was a Taylor! I went home brought my DY90 to the music store and A/B'd them both side by side. This is when I really appreciated the Yairi sound. The 710 was slightly louder and a BIT warmer, but not enough to justify buying it for $2000.00! Then when I compared the DY90 to some lower end Taylors (410) and a Martin Hd28 and Guild DV52, I was sold on it! I am totally convince now that 99% of a Guitars tone comes from the top and if you use the quality of tonewoods that Yairi does, the laminate back and sides is a non-issue. In fact it, helps it's durabiity. I would have to say the first thing that sold me on this guitar was it's looks and abalone. Under stage lights it is absolutley stunning! If it was stolen, yes I would look for another one. I still like the taylor 710, but if I got one, I'd keep it in a humidified case and be afraid to play it, lest I put a ding in it!
For the money, this guitar can't be beat. I just wanted to say that I always have buyer's remorse when I first buy anything more expensive than a uitar pick and this was no exception. At first I was dissappointed it wasn't a solid guitar. But after 3 years, if somebody offered me 1 1/2 times what I paid for it I'd decline. Now, if they offered me TWICE what I paid, I might consider. Then buy another on e-bay and pocket the rest!

My DY-90 was made in Japan in 1975, serial number 9570. It has a beautiful spruce top, 3-piece matched rosewood back and sides, and mahogany neck. The spruce has aged well and in many ways is responsible for the terrific sound these guitars make. The top, back and frets are inlaid with Abalone in similar fashion to the Martin D-45 (which I'm told Kazuo Yairi helped design - anyone know if that's true?). The tuners are the original Grover's and the pick guard is Tortise shell. This guitar is perfect for pickers with long skinny fingers as the fretboard is slightly thinner than what you would find on say a vintage Martin D-28.

It is hard to match the sound of this model. I play a variety of styles from bluegrass, fingerpickin', jazz, samba, "easy-listening", and classic rock. This is one of the only guitars that I have ever played that has a great sound no matter what style you play - very versatile. The bass resonates while the highs are clear and crisp. Absolutely no fret buzz or anything else that might distract from the sound, while the strings lay quite cose to the fretboard - making it easy to play for hours on end.

When I'm not playing it, the guitar has always been kept in a hard shell case with a soft lining. I never wear anything that could scratch it when I play it, and I'm picky about who I let play it besides myself, so it is in nearly flawless shape. I have never found any manufacturing defects, and considering the age of the guitar, even the inlay is still in perfect shape.

Other than the occasional broken string, I've never been let down by her in public. It holds its tuning forever. I can't really speak to how "durable" it might be since I baby it.

I have never had to deal with the company.

This was my 4th guitar. I started playing in the 1960's. I have owned an Ovation, a 12 string Alvarez, a Yamaha classical guitar, a Martin D-28, 2 electrics (Gibson & Moserite) and this Alvarez Yairi. This is the best sounding guitar I have ever owned. The only thing I would change now is the fretboard. When I bought it I was very young and my fingers have grown thicker over the years, so the narrow fretboard is a bit cramped for me now.

This is a 1986 model dy-90 but it was bought new in 1996. It has been played a lot in these five years but still has some breaking in to do. The rosewood back and sides really give a nice sound. The solid Spruce top is beautifull. The abolone inlay is superb. It is comparable to a Martin D-18 also being a dreadnaught.

This guitar has a universal sound to it. I play bluegrass and country on it yet when one of my friends visited they played rock on it and it still sounded good. That is a hard feature to find.

This guitar was perfect, and not changed except the strings, when we bought it and is still in the same condition. In five years all IT's needed was strings

The only thing about this guitar is the fact that it has two spots smaller than a dime on the side where the finish is wearing and also two small barely noticable sopots on the top. My gradfather also has one and it has withstood a beating from me and my cousins when we were younger. Still looks good

I haven't needed to deal with the company as I said it's almost flawless

This guitar is one of the best guitars you can buy for the money. It is good sounding and good quality. I would not trade it for a new gibson. Possibly an old one. I would trade it for a new or old Martin though.

late 70's solid top with limited edition medallion on the back, star fretmarkers, aged look top, beautiful bookmatched back looks like birds eye.
one of the original tuners which were good bent by kids and replaced with grovers

perfect sound, similar to the best martins this size. fishman pickup professionally installed works and sounds great, very much like a martin.

much better action than any martin after tuning by luthier, perfect intonation

original owner since mid or late 70's (im a little hazy on those years, my peak pro musician years) guitar is like new.

never needed help.

playing 35 years professionally. i have several times gone shopping for a Martin but have never found one at any price that plays or sounds as good as this alvarez yairi. if you find one of these older ones buy it, i think around a grand would be more than fair for one in perfect condition, maybe more. they are beautiful to look at, a joy to play and sound superb. the very cream of japanese hybrids, an 11!

1985 DY90 made in Japan. Solid Canadian Spruce Top, Jacaranda three-piece back and sides, mahagony neck, and ebony fingerboard and bridge. Lacquered on the inside to "improve tonal characteristics". Extensive Abalone body, bridge, and rosette binding. Abalone logo on headstock and pickgaurd, as well as, Abalone diamond fingerboard markers. Exquisite jumbo frets and gold plated tuning machines. Bone nut and saddle. It is my understanding that right after the time this guitar was made, Alvarez-Yairi switched from Jacaranda to Rosewood for the back and sides. This instrument, although 15 years old, would easily pass for a new instrument. It is in excellent condition and was a true find.

This is a wonderful acoustic guitar and sounds as beautiful as it looks. It has excellent projection and balance. I would compare it to a Gibson J-60 or Martin D28 (although it seems better balanced than a D28).

It is as beautiful today as the day it was built over 15 years ago. This speaks volumes for the quality of guitars that Alvarez-Yairi has produced. I can not find a single manufacturing defect in the instrument, and after 15 years I don't expect any to surface any time soon. The Canadian spruce top is perfectly bookmatched, and has a rich golden tone to it (much like new guitars with artificial toners to acquire a vintage look, but this is natural!). The grain is tight, but still very defined. The top definitely contributes to the "canon-like" voice of this instrument. The Jacaranda back and sides are equisitely grained, and look compareable to rosewood, but with a more red tint, and a rougher grain texture. I understand how Kazuro Yairi gained his reputation for workmanship.

This instrument is 15 years old and still looks like the day it was manufactured. Says alot about the original owner (I wish more people treated their guitars this way) and even more about the craftsmen and their manufacturing process. Definitely sturdy enough to gig with, but believe me this one won't see that type of abuse! If I could give this one 11 in this category I would.

Excellent. I sent an email to customer service at Alvarez-Yairi in St. Louis asking many questions concerning the origin and specifications of this instrument. I receive a response the next day with all the information I requested, and an open offer to provide more if needed. this type of customer service is not easily obtained when purchasing a brand new instrument, much less one that is over 15 years old. They also congratulated me on finding such and excellent instrument in such prestine condition.

I have been playing and collecting acoustic guitars for over 10 years. I own Gibsons, Martins, Taylors, Takamines, and now, proudly, a vintage Alvarez-Yairi. I have been looking for this instrument for several years, but as other collectors know, it is all about being in the right place at the right time. I was fortunate to have taken that Sunday moring trip to my local Guitar Center. I feel, for collectors, that it has a lot to do with destiny, and that the guitar that's meant for you will reveal itself when appropriate. If it was lost or stole I would definitely buy another in a second, but the chances of finding another one in this condition are just about nil. Thank you Alvarez-Yairi for crafting this wonderful guitar.