1,172 thoughts on “Alvarez-Yairi- K. Yairi Discussion Group”

  1. K. Yairi 357
    Anonymous

    I’m desperately trying to find info on this particular guitar as I have a chance to purchase one tomorrow.

    What is this guitar worth on the used market?

    What tonewoods were used for this particular model? All solid woods? Laminate B/S’s?

    Any info would be very helpful

    Thanks.

  5. K. Yairi acoustic 1980 AR 355 guitar
    JC

    Bought it new in 1980 and seldom used it , never learned how to play it . No scratches , dings , appears to have an ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge , think its the original strings . Its in the original mint hard case . Is this a preferred or desired model ?

  6. Want buy a K. Yairi Guitar
    Carsten

    Dear Yairi-Fans,
    I want buy a Guitar from my colleague but I do not know if is the price ok (300€).
    Perhaps someone know to say something about this nice instrument.

    K. Yairi
    ANNE 1984
    Model No. DE3GS

    Greatings from Germany/Cologne

    1. Want to buy a Yairi
      Bruce in Oregon

      From the information you sent I can tell its a 1984 model. I would also guess that it a drednaught, and maybe and acoustic electric. (To me D=Drednaught and E=Electric)

      If you could send me a photos or 2 I could be more specific. The guitars are labeled differently in the states.
      If its in good condition with no damage and the action is good and if (YOU LIKE) the guitar. The way it plays, the way it sounds etc, then buy it. I own 3 Yairi’s and I would not sell any of them for that price.

      Take Care

      Bruce in Oregon

      2. Want to buy a Yairi
        Carsten

        Dear Bruce,
        thanks a lot for the answer. I thougt DE = Deutschland = Germany!?. Please send me your email adress, then I can send you pictures. My adress ist 2011(at)power.ms
        Carsten

  7. Alvarez Kazuo Yairi FY40 7/6/76
    Anonymous

    I bought an FY 40 on ebay and I was wondering if you could tell me a little something about the history of this guitar. I was also wondering what it might be worth. It has a repaired hole and it fairly beat up but sounds sweet. There are also some finish cracks on the back that have me a little concerned. How would I treat them. Thanks.

    1. fy40
      Bruce from Oregon

      If you google Alvarez by K.Yairi Comes Alive! you will find a large collection of Yairi brochures. If you look at the 1970’s brochures you will find your guitar. Prior to 1976 it was the model 5080.
      Spruce top rosewood back and sides.
      Your guitar sounds a little rough. I would guess that the value would be in the $200. -350. range
      The “Folk” style guitars are not prevalent as the dreadnaughts, because they were never as popular.
      There is also a very active Yairi site on Yahoo. (Google yairi yahoo and you should find it) There is a photo section for you to look at guitars like your. You can also do a search on the side for infomation on your FY40

      I hope this helps.

      Bruce in Oregon

  9. Seek info on Alvarez Kazuo Yari Guitar
    musician*vocalist

    Would anyone have any information or source of info on Alvarez Kazuo Yari guitar Serial No 57514 and Model No. DY 56GB? Thanks for any help or direction to find info.

    1. Unknown K.Yairi guitar
      emptypockets

      First I must apologize for my poor english. I am a bit out of practice, but I hope I shall be understood…. .

      This spring my lifelong dream of owning a K. Yairi guitar came true and I found a dreadnought K.Yairi in the style of a Martin D 35/45, most similar to a YW 1000. Unfortunately all the labels inside the guitar have vanished over the years. Serialnumber, modelnumber and year of production can not be read. The lable is – i guess rather unusal – brown with the logo and the K.Yairi writing in silver. On the neck the numbers 48373. This guitar was bought in the famous Steinway – House in Hamburg/Germany in, I guess, the late 70ies or early 80ies. If then used or new, no idea. The hardware is golden.
      The head does not show the typical vertical letters (like Martin). The name K. Yairi is written horizontal.

      I would be very thankful if anyone could help me! I tried it by mailing my question to the K.Yairi website twice, but noone answered! Which is not a service I think.

      Thanks in advance.

      1. Dateing your Yairi
        Bruce from Oregon

        There are a number of things you can do. Older Yairi guitars are dated in the year of the emporor.
        If you google yairi guitar dating it should come up. ALSO there is another yairi guitar site on yahoo that is a lot more active then this one. It is mainly information on K. Yairi guitars sold through Alvarez, but there is also other information as well.
        There is information on Yairi on the web if you take the time to google it and so on. Oe thing you may or may not know is that K. Yairi sells his guitars in the United States through Alvarez as Alvarez-Yairi and they have the A/Y logo on them. Any where else in the world including Canada they are Yairi. Some of these I have seen Just have a Y on the headstock The non US guitars have a different but sometimes simular model numbering system esp. o the newer models.
        There are usually some of the non Alvareal guitars on Ebay for sale so you can look at them and compare photos.
        There are also a lot of photos on the Yahoo-Yairi website to look at for comparison.

        I hope this had helped.

        Bruce in Oregon usa

        1. k yairi dy50 1980
          mat

          Hi i own a k yairi dy50 made in 1980 in japan. Would u know or where to go to get a price on what its worth and is it worth paying for a refert. As i was offred this for 400.00 a few years back. As i not sure what to do and would i pay alot more to get the same sound as this great gutar.

        2. Thank you. But dating my
          emptypockets

          Thank you.
          But dating my guitar is not the problem. The problem is just that my guitar should be a YW 1000, but the numbers on the label under “model” could mean everything, but definitely n o t YW 1000! With a good deal of fantasy you could see a 3 and a 6. So I guess it is not a YW 1000. I’ve seen lots of pictures and read lots of infos in the net, but until today I found nothing about a f.e. special edition.
          I have written an email to the official european K.Yairi webside twice but they did not answer, which is quite a poor service in my opinion.
          I wanted to own a K.Yairi since I first heard of them in the mid seventies. But for a long time they were very hard to find in Germany. And finding an historic model as a YW is still very seldom. And – funny enough – they are not very expensive because in Germany erverybody who thinks he is an expert would never pay a high price for a not all – solid guitar!
          This is my last attempt to find out something about a guitar. If it remains a secret I will tell everybody that it is a YW 1000!

    2. DY56GB
      Bruce in Oregon

      I also own a DY56GB. They are an interesting guitar. As far as I know they were only offered one or two years. The only information I could find was the 1985 Yairi catalog. If you google Yairi catalog or Yairi brochure you should get the website with the brochures, Check the 1985 brochure. There are 3 or 4 pages with stuff on the guitars.

      My DY56GB has 4 knobs on top and 2 output jacks on the bottom. According to the brochure this is the DY156GB model,
      But my label in the guitar has DY56GB printed on it. As you will see when you read the brochure this guitar has a “split” pickup.
      one pair of the volumn/tone knobs is for the first 3 strings (base) and the other is for the last 3 strings. You split the pickup into 2 amps. OR you throw the switch and it plays like a regular E/A.
      Its an interesting guitar. Yairi used this set-up on a number of guitars, but this was the first. I hope this helps.

      Bruce in Oregon

      1. Info on Yari DY56GB
        vocalist*musician

        Thank you so much for this info. I will definitely try to find site with brochures. I did not know that this is how the switches are splitting the strings and that it would need to run off two amps but this must be the stereo effect the person I bought guitar from said that it was capable of? They had not really played it much after they bought it so they weren’t much help. I am sure this is obvious to others but what exactly do you mean “throw the switch” does that mean set the toggle switch specifically fwd or backward to achieve something specific??? Also is E/A Electric/Accoustic???? Thanks for your help really love the guitar so far for so many different reasons!

        1. DY56GB
          Bruce

          The little toggle switch will switch you from split pick-up (stereo effect) to just a regular Acoustic/Electric pickup
          The site with the Yairi catalogs is Alvarez by K. Yairi Comes Alive! It is my understanding that you only need to use 2 amps if you want the split effect.
          They also made other models of the DY56 that did not have the split pickup and they only had 1 set of volumn/treble knobs and one output jack. I think that Yairi called the split pickup arrangment Bi Phonic. I have not had mine very long.
          When I called the guy I bought mine from he told me that the back was like an Ovation, but when I looked at it I could see that it was not a plastic back like an Ovation. Looks like wood to me. I just got around to putting a battery in mine yesterday but have not had time to plug it into and amp yet. Again google Yairi Yahoo for the Yahoo site for Yairi guitars. You will find photos of my guitars at that site, and more information.

          Bruce

  10. Alvarez Yairi
    Edward Molinar

    I have an Avarez Yairi. The bottom half of the label in the sound hole has been cut off so the serial number and model number are not documented. It has the script Alvarez logo. It has Abalone hexagon inlay on the finger board, and white/black/white/black/white binding. The body has abalone binding front and back, and the sound hole as well. Between the two piece back is a flower design inlay. It has the adjustable bridge, grover USA tuners, stamped in the neck set block is 11469. I believe with certainty it is a model 5060, and not a 5070. Can you tell me what year build it is. Thanks

    1. YAIRI
      Bruce in Oregon

      The fact that your guitar says Alvarez in script on the headstock and not A/Y tells me that it is pre-1974.
      1973 seems to be the change over years for the logo. I have a late (november) 1973 5065 (which became the DY74) It has the A/Y logo on the head stock. I have seen other guitars dated 1973 that had they Alvarez logo.

      The model number to letter/number change in model indentification started in 1975 (IE 5065 be comes the DY74)

      There is a yairi group on YAHOO that is very useful. ALSO Yairi guitars have a number stamped into the base of the neck. (inside the guitar) This will date your guitar if you know how to read it.

      INFORMATION on Yairi Guitars: Google Yairi-Yahoo, Yairi brochure, and Yairi serial number and or build dates. You will find the information you need, Your guitar sounds like a 5060 which I beleive became the DY85 which is a very nice guitar.

      I believe them to be the best acoustics to come out of Japan.

      I have 4 Yairis and each one is has its own voice and its own charm.

      Bruce in Oregon

      1. Date Code
        Bruce in Oregon

        Earlier Yairi’s are hard to date because they used a code based upon the year of the Emperior. “If you google Yairi Date Code”
        It should come up. I think looking at the date code your guitar was made 11/71

        Bruce

  11. Alvarez Artist Model 5041 Serial #000248
    Barry

    “Commerorating the 60th anniversary if SLM” Probably will just hang on to, and hand it down to my son………out of musice business for a long time now……..but she’s a fine guitar, will stay in tune forever, sounds sweet………….just
    kinda new to internet, and wondered if anyone could tell me what she might be worth?

  12. K. Yairi CY-118 1993 Model
    Ghost

    I have been offered a great condition K. Yairi CY118 made in 1993. It is loud with beautiful tone, I am considering buying. The asking price is $500, would anybody consider that a good deal?

    1. CY-118
      Bruce in Oregon

      The yairi CY-118 is a very fine guitar. If its in excellent condition with with a quality hard case then this is a very fair offer.
      Check e-bay. You will see them from around 350, to over a $1,000. If the neck is good and it shows no damage then go for it.
      If you are not sure what to look for then take it to someone who does to have it checked out.

      Bruce from Oregon

  13. I got a k-yairi
    kyairigf1

    I bought a second hand one through the internet auction. The model is Alvarez GF-1. I am going to debut as a musian with it.
    One day, I found a good music live restaurant in my hometown. They offer amature musians their stage to play free. I saw some perfomances there and made sure that I have no problem with the level of my play ability so that I decided that. I am not familiar with guitar things but I know K-yairis are Japanese handmade and sound very well. The guitar I got is small size because I will bring it to my hometown from my present place by train. The first song I will play will be “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. How exact with my situation!

    1. DY-73
      Anonymous

      I have # 50806 that I paid 354.00 ( still have the receipt ) brand new in 1/85 . I’ve been offered 900.00 but , I can’t find another guitar that sounds this sweet for 900.00. Keep it and play.

  15. Kiari Guitar
    Tony

    I have a Kiari Classical Guitar (K. Yairi) model number GY110 in very good condition. I bought this new in the late 60’s. Does anyone know the value of this? I may be interested in selling for the right price.

  17. K Yairi Y 70
    Anonymous

    I hahe a K Yairi with a round black label and Y 70 on it, also has a numberinside at the start of the neck which is 331773. Can you please help me find out it’s year, value or anything else about this guitar?

  19. K. Yairi 5017
    8thnote

    I have an Alverez hand signed by Kazuo Yairi. It has a signing year of 1970. Got this by trading a Fender Bandmaster amp about 35 years ago. I seldom play it and aside from a few blemishes it’s in very good shape as far as I can tell. As stated, the model is a 5017 and has a serial number of 332. I may be interested in selling this ride but not really sure of it’s value. Wondering if anyone can help.

  20. 1975 DY-85 Alvarez Yairi acoustic
    JimiMac

    I own the above subject guitar, which has been stored under the bed for the last 30 years. It has some wonderful patina, some pick scratches, original Grover tuner pegs, and an old Barcus Berry bridge pick-up.
    Can anyone tell me
    More on the history of this guitar and what it may be worth..?
    Thanks and best regards,
    JimiMac

    1. Alvarez Yairi DY-85
      Adam G. Epperson

      The DY-85 is an was a almost straight copy of the Martin D-41. you can get at least $5oo but the are going for around $1200-$1500. I personally wouldn’t sell it if i where you.

  21. Dy-39- - - BEAUTIFUL.
    Izzy Foreman!

    Just bought a dy-39 off craigslist for 300 bucks. It’s in mint condition and is going to be 25 ears old next year. I love it and have been looking for a yairi for ahwile. And at that price, nothing could be better. I’m hoping to start accumulating a collection of yairi guitars….But yes, it’s beautiful and plays well. Also has a nice fishman pickup in it. (Yes-300 BUCKS!!!!)

  22. 1985 dy63
    Leigh Donnelly

    I have a 1985 dy63 and love it. it has the lowest action of all my guitars and doesnt buzz out at all. it has a warm sound with a bi-phonic pick up. however, it doesn’t match the pics of others i’ve seen! the head doesn’t have the alverez logo on it anywhere? and the tuning pegs have yairi on them not alverez. just the k yairi on the top and the head? is this a different guitar from normal dy63’s ? i’ve looked everywhere and all the others i’ve seen have the alverez logo on the head!

    2. DY 63
      Anonymous

      I have a DY 63 that sounds exactly like yours. It has Yairi machine heads and the K yairi logo on the headstock. It also has a K Yairi signature etched into the top towards where the jack inputs (there’s two of them) are. I’ve also been confused by mine as it has the year of production stamped on the inside sticker, as being 1990. All the other ones I’ve heard of are from 1985…

  23. 1974 Yairi CY130 back and sides.
    Kim

    I have a Yairi CY130 I am selling and it has stirred up quite a controversy about the material used in the back and sides. I thought it looked like Brazilian rosewood, outside and in, with the same or very similar grain pattern on either side, and I saw that was what was being used in the newer ones, so I just assumed that was what it was. I got an email stating that it is “coral rosewood” and is laminated. I just want to answer the question correctly, so does anybody know what the sides and back of a 1974 CY130 are made of? The date code is 49374. I know very little about classical guitars, I mostly play electric, so thanks in advance for your help.

  24. k yairi d-38 from 1985
    Anonymous

    Hi, i’m interested in buying a k yairi model d-38 from 1985. it seems to have a firey colour on the top with small inlay on the frets and a k yairi signiture on the bottom. it has a great sound but the price is 500$. is it a good deal and is it worth it? how much could it be worth.

    Thanks.

    1. Re: K Yairi d-38 from 1985
      Anonymous

      Is it legit sighned? It’s worth extra. The guitar itself is worth like 900…have a pickup? What kind of condition?

  25. Yairi 6 string acoustic guitar, Serial number 52 AD1971 B&M solo
    Sally

    Hi, I have a Yairi 6 string acoustic guitar, Serial number 52 AD1971 B&M soloist.

    I am trying to find out its value and wonder if you have an idea or can let me know where to find out.

    Thank you very much for reading this posting.

    Sally

  26. double neck k. yairi guitar
    em9191

    I have photos of this guitar and i want to no around a price of what it could be worth. i have tried to contact many places and people for information about this guitar with no luck. how can i post pics

    I am looking to sell this in the future and i want to know information about this.

    thank you

    1. Double neck Alvarez yairi
      S hogan

      I am seeking to buy a double neck Alvarez yairi – do you still have this guitar and if so can you please let me know when you seek to sell.

      1. Alvarez Yairi DY 87 Double-Neck Guitar
        Cindy

        I have one for sale. My husband bought this guitar new in 1980 and has taken exceptional care with the guitar. It is in near perfect condition with original brochure and hard case.

        Let me know if you are interested.
        Cindy Davidson

        1. Double neck Alvarez Yairi - acoustic
          Suzanne Hogan

          CIndy – thank you for the response – I am interested. I used to play in clubs years ago and a friend of mine owned a guitar store and loaned me guitars to play that were far better than the one I owned or could afford . For a few months I played the double neck Alvarez Yairi and it was heaven . Thirty years later, I have raised my kids and with my husband , educated them, maintained a good marriage, worked throughout and buried both of my Parents. So… I think it’s time for me to go back to a former joy. Please let me know what you are asking and if you have any photos that would be great.
          Warmly, Suzanne Hogan

  27. Poly or Laquer Finish on 1989 DY54 Yairi Alvarez
    Jim Fontaine

    I have a DY54 made in 1989 and need to do some rework on the finish. Does anyone know if Laquer was the finish originally used on this guitar, or polyurethane. Thanks in advance for any help.

  28. K.Yairi 1997 YC-50N
    Thanapol

    I just bought this guitar a couple of weeks ago. It really sounds great! But I can’t find any detail about this model. Anyone has any idea?

  31. G400 Value?
    Bink

    I have a 1967(?) Alvarez G400. Yes G400! Classical – in mint. Ihave gotten answers ranging from "mismarked" black round label to "sold in another country…

    Anybody have anything different?

    Thanks

  33. 1982 Yairi Alvarez DY85A
    John Hargroove

    Hello… I have been all over the internet trying to find a value on my 1982 Yairi Alvarez DY85A – very good condition; would anyone have a guess as too what it would be worth?

    Thanks! John

    1. DY85A
      Doug

      I too have a DY85A. They were only made in 1982, A stands for alternate with most notable difference from the DY85 being a 2 piece mahogany back, whereas the DY85 had 3 piece back, center rosewood flanked by mahogany either side. General value range is approximately $700 – $900 based on a few well informed sources from internet, which is where I got the above info. DY85 is the Standard Abalone model, and so DY85A has all of those features as well. Enjoy !!

    2. Alvarez guitar
      anita k kastorff

      Hello,

      I saw your post and wanted to tell you that your guitar is the closest to mine that I can find. I don’t know the value of them either, I’m sorry to say.
      Mine is rosewood with no pic guard. Abalone inlays and solid abalone tuning keys. It has no lamination that I can tell inside or out. I bought it in 1985 and am the original owner. It is a DY 61 series, Signature Edition–model 58340. Please let me know what you find out. Thanx, AK

  34. Yairi Guitars
    Jesse Goodfellow

    I have a K. Yairi DY 74C and a K. Yairi FY 40 that I’m trying to establish values for. The FY 40 appears to have K. Yairi’s signature on the tag. Both guitars are in very good condition, and both play well. The sound of the DY 74C is quite extraordinary. Any ideas?
    Thanks for your help.

  35. K Yairi 1980 DY87 Double Neck for Sale
    Dean Pezderic

    I have a beautiful sounding 1980 DY87 for sale with case. Action is perfect and is a great collectors piece. Letr me know if anyone is interested.

    Thank You..

    3. Re: K Yairi 1980 DY87 Double Neck for Sale
      Cat West

      : I have a beautiful sounding 1980 DY87 for sale with case. Action is perfect and is a great collectors piece. Letr me know if anyone is interested.

      : Thank You..

      I am interested, Saw one on the yairi group and thought very nice!

      Love to know more.

      1. Yairi Y-15
        Jim McCausland

        I have a beat-up Yairi Y-15 with an exquisite sound. I got it for $50 at a garage sale in a tiny town in Northern California; the price reflected the sellers lack of knowledge and the instrument’s cosmetic flaws. If you want to sell one in decent shape, I’m interested.

            1. Hey Jim- I'd be happy to
              Wes

              Hey Jim- I’d be happy to send pics, but I’m not sure how to email you through this site? I’d like to get $400 for it, but am open to offers. I’m the second owner, original owner told me her dad bought it for her in the 70s. It’s in close to perfect shape, with OHSC. If there isn’t a way to email on this site I’ll just put some pics up on photobucket when I get home tonight and post a link here. Thanks.

  38. info on alvarez artist model 5043
    greg c

    i got this guitar from a friend i love it but i don"t know anything about. it has hand made inside the body and the ser# 95863

    1. info on alvarez artist model 5043
      Anonymous

      Very nice guitar.Made from 1970s till about maybe early 1980s. I had one that was made about 1980 and another that was made 1974-I think. Laminated top,back and sides. Adjustable saddle. Three piece back. Nice sounding and playing guitar.

  39. Alvarez-Yairi DY-53 or equal.Looking to buy
    Ron Lemons

    I had a DY-53 that got destroyed!I’m looking for another one or a new similar Yairi. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

  41. National Les Paul
    James Attridge

    I had a National Les Paul a long long time ago. It was black with gold trim, pick-ups etc. I can’t find info on it, does anyone have any?

  42. 1975 Alvarez Yairi CY 120
    Jim Attridge

    I am the second owner and have had it for nearly 20 years. I had a Fishman passive saddle p/u in it when I bought it. It’s a good one-I’ll spare all the details on it’s sound quality-again it’s a good one in very good condition. I would like to know a fair value.

    1. 1974 Alvarez Yairi CY120
      Katy

      I am considering buying the above CY120. The label is missing. The seller states the neck block (inside body) is stamped with 11465–would that be the serial number of the guitar? Do CY120 models have the serial number anywhere other than the label? Anyone with a CY120 please tell me about this. Much appreciate you input.

  43. Question
    Rurik

    I have an Alvarez,K. Yairi cy90 guitar i was just wondering is there anyone out there that can tell me a little more about this model because i cant seem to find it anywhere?

    1. Re: K Yairi AR332
      sharks

      I am also interested in info about that model, just bought it recently second hand. got my attention as it had good sound, looked old and yet keeps its tuning straight. anything?

  46. CY-116 dating
    Dale Howard

    I have a Cy-116 that I’m having trouble dating the s/n on the label is 60919 and on the heel is 0009.176. Any help in dating this would be appreciated.

  47. Yairi model DY50N
    Jean Sauvageau

    I’m a proud owner of a YAIRI DY50N guitar since 12 years and over the years I tried to find the detail spécifications of this amazing instrument, I can’t find it, even from St-Louis music witch is the distributor in america.
    Is anybody can help me to get these information?
    Thanks in advance!

  48. Yairi model DY50N
    Jean Sauvageau

    I’m a lucky owner of a YAIRI DY50N guitar since 12 years and over the years I tried to find the details spécification of this instrument, I cant’t find it event from St-Louis music witch is the distributor in america.
    Is anybody can help me to get these information?
    Thanks in advance!

    1. Re: Yairi model DY50N
      Brian Marron

      : I’m a lucky owner of a YAIRI DY50N guitar since 12 years and over the years I tried to find the details spécification of this instrument, I cant’t find it event from St-Louis music witch is the distributor in america.
      : Is anybody can help me to get these information?
      : Thanks in advance!

      I was just looking at a 1991 DY50N, and the brochure that was with the guitar stated that the back and sides are African Rosewood, and the top spruce.

    1. Re: Alverez Yairi DY85 Value?
      Tzadeck

      I just found one of these babies used and mint for 80000 yen, which is about 800 dollars (they’re holding it for me until Thursday). This was at Jeugia, a big music store in downtown Kyoto, Japan. The model is sold in Japan as K. Yairi YW600, and a recent ebay auction for one went for $750, but the condition isn’t nearly as good as the one I’m buying. It’s a damn fine guitar, worth way more than what it’s sold and bought for.

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Will May
      Will May

      I have a mint, Alverez Yairi DY85. I also have it’s tan exterior, gold fur lined hardcase. Anyone have any idea of what this instrument might be valued at? Or, What process I could go thru to get an appraisal? We are trying to do this for insurance purposes for a client.

      1. dy-50
        mike

        I have #81 any idea what the value of these beauties are? I have no intentions of selling and hopefully it’ll be a heirloom. I can’t seem to find much info about the dy-50:s

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