I've 3 of these; one I got autographed by a now deceased favorite player of mine... the others I got in the past 5 or 6 years. One I bought for 300, the other for about 400. They were made with two different bridges; a traditional style, and the later Alvarez design. All mine have built-in pickups, so I think that was probably a stock feature.

: : i traded my 69 walnut 335 about 10 years ago for my yairi DY77. it was made in 1989. by far the BEST guitar that i have ever touched. unfortunatly, i was younger when i got it and did not do any research, retain any info, or pay attention to the guy who thought he wasconning me. if anyone has any info on this model let me know. i am wondering if it is hand-made or not. the date listing is not the traditional yairi with the emperor's name or date. it just haas 1989 printed. anyway thanks!

Strangely, this particular model is missing from the online Bluebook listings. The DY77N is listed, but it is a different model with bound headstock, CD brigde, etc. and was only manufactred form 1991 to 1995. I'm going to drom the bluebook folks a line a let them know they left out a model that they really shouldn't have missed.

As far as dating the guitars, some of the Yairis (such as yours) have a year stamped on the label pasted on the inside back of the guitar. That only gives you the year of manufacture. You can narrow it down to the year and the month using the other number that is stamped on the neck block inside the guitar. The first two digits (usually) is the year, the next two is the month. It relates to the Year of the Emperor, which is how meany years the Emperor has been in power at that time. So, the first series would begin in 1925 and end in 1988 for a total of 63 years. That would mean that a guitar manufactured in 1975 would have a first two digits of 50. If the neck block number was 5004xxxx, that guitar was made in April of 1975. Beginning in 1989 (New Emperor), the dating began again with 1. For guitars manufactured in 2000, the first two digits are 12. I'm not sure what has happened now, because I have a DY91 that was made in January of 2005, and it cannot be dated by the numbers on the neck block. I'm going to have to assume that Alvarez Yairi has adopted a new method of numbering their guitars, since to my knowledge, Akihito is still in power in Japan. That will be another question for the Bluebook folks.

: : I just found my old Alvarez 5014 guiter in its case in the basement. Given to me and purchased new in 1973, I believe it said. Hardly been played-it's like brand new. Sat in the case all of these years. Any worth to it and can anyone tell me about it? Thanks!

I have a btoken one (damaged case) and like to replace it. How much are you asking for it?

: wow, is this really a vintage? I bought a guitar at a garage sale in Germany for about $50, and it's an Alvarez 5014....it was played regularly by it's previous owner, and so it shows obvious signs of love...but it's in excellent playing condition...it's my regular now. I'd love to find out more about it!
: I have a 5014 that I purchased at a pawn shop for $100 - great guitar - I love it. It's in excellent shape and I play it frequently. I,also, would like some info on it.

My 5014 was given to me by my uncle who claims to have bought it in the late sixties, it was kept in the closet for about twenty years and was still in tune when he gave it to me. It's close to mint condition and sounds better than any acoustic I've ever played in my 15 years of playing. I have no Idea what it's worth if anybody does please let me know. thanks

i also own an alvarez 12 string model 5021.....im told it is a 1973 model that sum call the foxfire 12 it plays beautifully.....and seems to stand the test of time...........email me for more info cuz i did have a problem with the deck (just behind the bridge) warping slightly due to low humidity.....cheap fix though.....happy strumming on a fine piece