You're reviews are not only interesting but also combine great guitar playing (a pleasure each time...) and - what's IMHO puts you at the top - it is superbly recorded!!! Keep it up, Man!
I've always heard that Yairi is pronounced "ya-EAR-ee". Also, The "M" designation in the Yairi line indicates Masterworks guitars which means solid wood back and sides. For instance, "DYM" indicates Dreadnaught, Yairi and Masterworks.
Nice to see someone else's appreciation for Alvarez - Yari guitars. I'm a proud owner of a 1994 Yari DY70 model. The Flame maple body is just stunning. The sound from the maple body is so bright. Such finely crafted guitars.
Hi J.P. I am fortunate to own a Kazuo Yairi 1973 classical guitar, and I recently purchased a Kazuo Yairi 2022 model as well. They both sound spectacular. They are works of art. RIP Mr. Yairi. Your guitars live on.
Sorry i'm late to the party but i'm so glad to have bumped into your channel brother. You seem a very reasonable but still entertaining guy and acoustic guitars are my big weakness in life too. the day when i can afford just one of these high end masterpieces i what i'm working towards. Thanks my friend |!
I commented on this in a response below but I wanted to repeat it here for all to see. I have the Folk / 000 version of this build and it is layered rosewood back and sides, not solid but with a solid cedar top. Yairi does it's layering differently than most makers however. There are only two layers of rosewood running parallel to each other instead of three layers with a cheaper wood in the middle. This provides a lot of the benefits of a all solid wood with a stronger more durable build. I'm assuming they decided on this construction to offer a little more durable build for performing artists.
Just pulled the trigger on this guitar, your recommendation sealed the deal. I'm not really one to buy a guitar without first being able to play it. However your demo has been the little push I needed. love your videos and I'm s fan of you music. Keep on doing your thing.
My late brother had an Alvarez-Yairi DY-58 9-string AY: the bottom 3 strings (EAD) were standard, and the top three (DGB) were doubled, like on a 12-string. My experience was that it was much easier to play and not nearly as hard to tune as a regular 12 string, so you get the playability of a six string and the sound of a 12. Very cool guitar! I also used to have a DY-70, which was also a beautiful guitar. Alvarez-Yairi guitars punch way above their weight.
Yep, "just a stage guitar", huh? I had been searching for some time to find a nice guitar for my son Matt's birthday present , and I was so impressed by this that I went out and bought him this one. And he loves his just like you do yours. Matt's late grandfather (my father) bought a new Yairi DY96 about 1980 which is also still in our family. And...a song I have always favored is "The Guitar" by the late Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson. Know that one?
15.1K Submitted followers !!! Congrats ! And awesome review. Nice to see these guitars getting some credit as an above average timbre feller. Kudos JP.
I was amazed that so many chose Alvarez Yairi. However, I did also!! Although I tried to be objective and unbiased in the sounds since I didn't know which guitars I was judging, music is like so many other things ,a choice or a person's "taste" . Thank you for the comparisons; I liked the "C" guitar, followed by "A" and then "B" .
I have an older early 1980s Alvarez that I brought to a great luthier for a setup and some minor age related crack repair, and he told me more about this guitar than Alvarez did. It is a completely solid hand made guitar. I sent Alvarez the series numbers and photos and they STILL got everything wrong about it. It's almost as if they resent their vintage guitars. They told me that it was laminated top and sides. They are dead wrong.
Excellent review as always. Just for the sake of accuracy, the stage and standard series are solid top only, the masterworks are all solid (hope I'm not mistaken). Superb guitars regardless.
You are correct. I have the Folk / 000 version of this build and it is layered rosewood back and sides. Yairi does it's layering differently than most makers however. There are only two layers of rosewood running parallel to each other instead of three layers with a cheaper wood in the middle. This provides a lot of the benefits of a all solid wood with a stronger more durable build.
Loving your videos on these boutique luthiers. How do the Yarias compare with the Yamahas (LL series and Red Label(FG5))??? Thanks from a fan in Singapore
Are you sure the back and sides are solid rosewood? On the Alvarez website, the back and sides are not specified as solid. Alvarez usually explicitly states when the back and sides are solid.
I emailed support at alvarezguitars.com and asked them about this model, this was their reply: 'The back & sides are laminate construction on this model.' So, the website has always been consistent - if the back and sides are solid wood on a given model it will say "solid rosewood" or '"solid mahogany", etc. If the back and sides are laminate, they do not specify, and will simply say "rosewood" or "mahogany".
@@kellymaxwell1594 Yeah, Alvarez should be completely up-front on the website and list these as laminate. Note, this guitar's street price is around $1800. and it IS really competitive... It's better than many solid wood guitars at this price.
Hey John. Just wanna say thanks for all your info and insight into some great acoustic guitars. You inspired me to go buy a Yamaha recently, and not so recently an Alvarez. So that brings me to my next question. Have you ever reviewed Yamaha A series. I ended up picking up a Yamaha A3M. With the SRT pickup system and microphone emulators. I'm loving the guitar at this point just wondered if you ever reviewed or had any opinion on this particular guitar. Thanks John, keep up the great work.
It's been brilliant discovering you & your channel JP. You remind me a bit of Charlie Higson (esp. as Ralph in the Fast Show). Your passion & content have gone some way to rejuvenating my mojo to start playing more again. The only downsize is that I now wanna own every single guitar that you demo; so if news reaches your beautiful country that there's been another Hatton Garden robbery - you'll know who's behind it. Kind regards
snorting guitar as ever.. I love that you leave all your fumbles in and don't take yourself too serious and I love your passion for bit's of hollow wood with strings on too. Staying up way too late at night to watch these ..I can see a few purchases happening when I sell this house ...all the best mate and thank you x
Love my early 70's Alvarez by Kazuo Yairi! You mentioned you created a video on the history of Alvarez by Kazuo Yairi. Would you be so kind as to point me in that direction. Thank you
great filming but that brings up a question regarding the saddle. it looked like it was leaning forward. I know on some guitars that is intentional but others it may be putting additional pressure onto the bridge but that's a different bridge system so now idk...
@@endoffate5475 yep, I figured if the I could get the wife on board that the upgrade to rosewood would be worth it. Hopefully a "but once, cry once" situation 😂
Alvarez guitars are quite nice. There's a couple 12 strings by them at a local music store. They're both in the gorgeous shadow burst finish. Would love to see them make a Jumbo body with that finish.
That direct couple bridge system is a thing of wonder. Never mind the structural benefits, the impact on volume and tone is incredible. Trading my FY84 for a Martin 00017 was the stupidest guitar decision I ever made by a country mile.
Awesome awesome awesome. Gonna get one. I am a proud owner of one Alvarez regent series RD26s. Just a learner model. Love em.. Thanks for your reviews J.P. Greetings from India..Also not to mention I got to you channel cause of Alvarez and Yairi San.
'Windy and Warm', sounds good to me. You should take lessons. Just an 'absolute' joke, of course. What a gift you have. Amazing. Love your RU-vid programs...🪕🎻🎸👍
The DY1TS - Dreadnought Yairi 1 Tobacco Sunburst. I'd not seen that guitar, but did see its brother with a Cutaway and Koa wood - the Yairi DY1CK. At first I just thought that guitar was just a jerk. Seriously though, that is a model of Yairi ...Great review of a very nice sounding Yairi. I prefer no sunburst or preamp on guitars, but the sound of that Indian Rosewood and the quality of the workmanship is shown well here. I love the Yairis - keep the reviews coming - Rock on JP!
I’ve really enjoyed your reviews! Like the recording king. You opened my ears to a whole new world. I’m just not diggin the Alvarez as much as some the other guitars you’ve featured. Maybe needs more playing in?
Hey JP, i've wrote you a song. It goes like this: " I've traded my masterbilt, for an inspired by gibson, I've put some money to it, For an obvious reason. So now I think: The guitar might be inspired by gibson But me buying it Had another reason I was inspired by JP and now my wife 's gonna kill meee..."😄
Ever heard of a LEVIN ..I wrote 90 % of my songs with that baby..sitka source top..maple back a sides..1973. Best pure rythm guitar EVER. Every string..sale volume..Maple boy Maple..lol
You did not mention the model number nor did you state the woods for the top back and sides. Fill this in I am searching for this guitar and it's a slog without that missing info.
Good sound and beautiful guitar playing. But that B string that snaps when it is fretted between the 1 and 3 frets is boring. I've had a few guitars that did this, were tuned by professional luthiers, the humidity changes didn't help, changing the B string didn't do anything either, there was nothing to do with it. was the nature of those guitars ... now when I buy a guitar I make sure it doesn't have that clicking sound on the B string.
You have to love his honesty. I gather this is pre-recorded. He could've easily cut that out, and replace that tune until it was perfect. But, that's not who he is. I only wish, I would hit one wrong note just every day, I would be happy. What a talent he is...