The Guitar You Always Needed (But Never Knew Why): Yairi FYM66HD vs. FYM60HD 

Nobody. Nobody does better, more informative, well produced videos than Alvarez. Perfect conversational vibe. Superb.

I have an FYM66HD, and a PYM60HD/14 Parlor model. These instruments are the best-kept secrets in the acoustic guitar world! After acquiring these two, all my other high-end acoustics have been sold-Collings, Taylor, Larrivee, Martin-none hold a candle to these two. I have played a number of 5-figure boutique guitars in my travels; even if I had the $$, no reason-these guitars do everything-as well, if not better-than the high-dollar status symbols. I’ll own these until I don’t need them anymore-THANK YOU, Alvarez-Yairi, for these superior guitars!

Can't get enough of the 66, such a treasure.

Wow, thanks for giving the OM/000 sized guitars some love! I got tired of every channel pushing dreadnaught sized guitars, which I think are ok, but my OM’s feel like home to me. Intimate playing is what I am best at, and the OM’s are perfect. In fact, I’ve got an Fym66hd right here. Peace. 🐰💙🎸🎶🤝✌️

I need to find our nearest Yairi dealer ... Very fine A-B & history

I own three OM’s…a Larrivee and two Guilds; maybe one day a Yairi will be in my collection….saving my Pennies!

I love my OM model Martin. But I have had a boat load of Alvarez' over the years and would give my eye teeth for the FYM66HD !!! They are the absolute best on the market for price.

I love my OM and my concert ce . Looking to get the parlor both are Alvarez

Beautiful playing guys!

Great video as usual!

One of the most notable "side-by-side" comparisons I've ever heard. :D I can see why a serious musician might want guitars of both tops/materials, each for their unique sound! :D

Nice to see you guys again. Great times and info. I just love your content.

outstanding tones

Love browsing RU-vid and stumbling across Dee!

Love your content! Great info, very engaging interactions, and wonderful guitars and beautiful recordings!

Another great video. After my second stroke, along with losing my ability to hold a pic, it's very hard for me to play a dreadnought sized guitar. I'm looking to get an OM or OOO sized guitar. I think that sized guitar is the perfect blend between the larger dreadnought and the small "O" or even the "OO". Great video.

Eric Shoenberg Guitars of Marin County, CA. had much to do about promoting the OM to me.😎 Great design 👍 😎👍❤🖖

Always an education. Thank you.

Great playing

Great to see you Dee, you were a brilliant lecturer back at Newcastle College - loved the studio days!

I own one of these and I think it’s totally awesome, however, I can’t help but think this a naked plug to try and sell the last few. Whatever, if you can afford it, buy it, it’s gorgeous.

OM's OMG another informative Video. Thanks Chris and Dee

Great content. Can you tell me what the differences are between my 2002 Alvarez Yairi FY200 and the current Yairi FY models? Thank you in advance. Jim

Informative as always. Great sounding guitars! When I was younger I would only play a dreadnought. Now I think the OM is the best guitar for me. I need to play one of the Yairis.

Fantastic video and truly appreciate all the information and the fantastic sound from the two guitars. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these in the very near future. Unfortunately, there are no dealers close by for an in-person comparison, etc. I'm interested in knowing which one you would choose to accompany male vocals in the baritone to the low tenor range. Thank you.

Interesting info 🤓

I have an A-Y FYM95V. 12 fret, OM with a slotted head and 3 piece back. I put Waverly tuners with ebony knobs and ebony pins to match the bridge . It has a flat fretboard and a deep v-vintage neck. It is an amazing playing and sounding instrument - no electronics. Good to know some of the history.

Do either of these come with onboard electrics? Also how come neither seem to be available in the UK?

Great video! Talking about the OM being a more intimate guitar for the player ; Can you guys consider the idea of a player's side sound-port in order to make some of Alvarez guitars more enjoyable/intimate for the player?

Picking up my MF60OM is always a pleasure, clear and subtle. Talking of which how about a look at your Masterworks OMs - the ones we ordinary mortals play. A comparison with the FYM60HD would be interesting. I don't think, price for price there is as much between them as you'd think.

I'm a rosewood - spruce guy. I'd love to have DYM60 in rosewood. The Honduran story is great, but I love the sound of rosewood. I wish I could afford either of these guitars.

My first guitar was a Harmony H-6362, OM or 000, who knows which, from 1972, with a 1-3/4" nut and a 25.25" scale length, and of course, Harmony's typical ladder bracing. It was sitting on a very high shelf behind the jewelry department at our local Grandpa Pigeon's store (may they rest in peace). As a young teenager, when we would go there, I'd just stare at it for long periods of time. One day I finally saved enough money, and I was able to ask to see it up close. My love for it was requited, and she came home with me that day. It was solid mahogany if I remember correctly and had an unidentified type of spruce top. Probably Sitka. It's been long gone for close to 50 years now. The bridge began to lift, and this ignorant teenager completely botched the repair. If only I'd known that it could have been easily fixed by a qualified person, I might still have it. Sigh... I was lucky enough to finally find a very nice example of one last summer and bought it. It's not solid mahogany as my original was, so it's not quite as beautiful, but it is nice enough to love, and not quite so deserving that I would be tempted to have it re-braced, or would I? Hmmm. Nah. I'd probably be without her for too long. I don't whether to call it a 000 or an OM. Whatever it's officially called, its lovely sound takes me back to being a teenager whenever I pick it up. I personally think it's the nicest sounding Harmony I've ever heard after my original one. Going off-topic, I do still have my next guitar purchase (and many more), an Alvarez 5054 12 string from 1978. It could use a neck reset after all these years, but it has been tweaked to get the most out of it as is possible as is. I'm tempted to try the "steam and clamp neck reset" technique to avoid invasive techniques. It's my understanding that most Japanese necks of that era have glue that will not release with moisture or heat, so it's either "steam and clamp" or leave it alone. I'm a fan of Alvarez's mostly brand-wide offerings of 1-3/4" nuts on their guitars. (A comment regarding my views on gloss finishes heretofore posted has been removed after I read Alvarez' sensible reply to me regarding said finishes,) I have an Alvarez Delta Delite that sports an open pore satin finish, 1-3/4" nut, and 23-5/8" scale. It has one small fret problem, but otherwise the sound it produces IS seemingly straight from the delta. I believe that it's arched back goes a long way in the production of that sound. Yeah, OMs, I love 'em, I think?

Does anyone know where you can try these guitars in the UK? The big dealers like Andertons and GuitarGuitar just seem to carry the lower price Alvarez models.

Where can I buy one of these guitars please 🙏 preferably from you 👍

really interesting, particularly considering my fascination with OMs / 000 as you know Chris. when are you coming out with the 25.4" scale, 1.75" nut width on this shape in masterworks, open pour finish please! such a wonderful shape, which feels like you can hold closer and hums through your rib cage! Also, much nicer ergonomically for a creaky older fella like me ;-). Alvarez makes lovely guitars, hidden gems, and great value.

I have the FYM66HDE model. The feel is superb. I never tire playing it. The sound is even better than the feel. Louder and more responsive than my beloved DYMR70.

I can only dream to have one of these wonderful guitars. My budget can not afford such expensive ones. I like smaller guitars but have bigger hands, and for now I own a Baton Rouge X54OM CHB. It's a great budget 46 mm nut widht confortable little OM. But I'm thinking of an Alvarez MF60 OM, MF70 OM or Eastman E3 OM, but first I have to play a 44.5 mm nut widtht one because the 43 mm are definitly incomfortable to me, and I sold all of them.

What is the oldest Alvarez you ever saw and played? I can tell you from experience I have one and ON Poppy, the first one you ever made and it’s still going strong.

The 1st time hearing a Alvarez , I new I had to find out more ,What was this making this Deep Rich Sound .I a lot of info for sure! Thanks for all The Truly Hard work and Years that Went into making this Video....... 1st time listening I spent try to bring my sound system to hear the Whole (ALL) of the Music once I turned down the lower range I got the best of it..... I do have one that's a cheaper model but sounds perfect . Do`s anybody know somebody that can bring the NECK back to Shape ,or put in a TRUST ROD

I can’t find anywhere that sells these guitars in the uk😢. Is this correct?

In a JP CORMIER's demonstration on the FYM 66 HD, all majogany, he just said that it was a cannon, that it was so loud that if you put your ears to close to the guitar when you play, it, it almost hurt your ears! And here, you mention that the FYM 60 HD seemed to sound twice as loud in volume when you strum it! I realy don't understand? Is the 60 really twice as loud as the 66?

Mind you this guitar is a maple back inside mahogany neck and a spruce top

I find your title "The Guitar You Always Needed (But Never Knew Why)" somewhat ironic as 3 of my 4 acoustic guitars are of OM/000 body size including a FYM66HD.

Also, as a professional banjoist, I'll try not to be offended 😂

Shame guys all guitar from Chinese