Opinion needed: Yairi classical
RandPinc
think I can get it for a good price, but it would be sight unseen, so there is
an element of risk, although it is represented as "in good condition." I'm
willing to take the risk if I can find out something about the guitar, but I
can't find a source of information, only for Alvarez-Yairi--and this is
pre-Alvarez.
Josh
Steve
>Josh
Sight unseen for any guitar is risky, but if you were to judge by maker, Yairi
would be an excellent choice. As I understand it, Yairi has always been
behind Alvarez - I think he started it. The Alvarez-Yairi line was a
marketing move. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here. But generally, Yairi
are nice instruments. I would stay away from the thin-bodied one with the
primitive pickup.
Steve
Reggie Ho
There is two japanese luthiers that have the famous name of Yairi's that make
acoustic guitars... one of them signed as S. Yairi and the other K. Yairi. I don't
know if they are related... but as I understand it, K. Yairi is the one that stop
making classical guitars and went to work as a consultant to Alvarez . On the
other hand, it is S. Yairi that seem to have made a name for himself in classical
guitars. I have seen some S. Yairi's Classical guitars.. They seem quite well done
in terms of worksmanship... sounded quite good too.
Reggie
steve
that was for an acoustic. My friend Val got a nice early K Yairi for
$90 at an antique store. Good for what it is. The ones I've seen
have all been fancied-up laminate guitars with solid tops. A bit
heavy. Not too much sound. But reasonably clear and very playable.
I prefer less fancy and more authentic old low-end Spanish guitars for
the price range involved. More edge to them. Authenticity etc. A
real sound. Never have liked most of the Asian guitars, but the best
of the Japanese are quite pleasant, and the Yairis are among the
nicest production models. Another I quite like is the Takamine C136
from the 70s. Usually need a little voicing, but generally quite good
for the money. You might look for one. I usually pay $100 to $150 in
pawn shops for them and get $400 once fixed up.
Steve
mislav matacic
Reggie Ho wrote:
>
> There is two japanese luthiers that have the famous name of Yairi's that make
> acoustic guitars... one of them signed as S. Yairi and the other K. Yairi. I don't
> know if they are related... but as I understand it, K. Yairi is the one that stop
> making classical guitars and went to work as a consultant to Alvarez . On the
> other hand, it is S. Yairi that seem to have made a name for himself in classical
> guitars. I have seen some S. Yairi's Classical guitars.. They seem quite well done
> in terms of worksmanship... sounded quite good too.
No, it's vice-versa. Sadao Yairi stopped making guitars and Kazuo Yairi produce
guitars for Alvarez, they are made in Japan and signed by Yairi, although being
finished in Alvarez, St. Louis. Other than Alvarez, Yairi still produce his own
guitars and sell them under Yairi brand name - some models are the same as
Alvarez, other are not. Haven't seen S.Yairi, but K.Yairi guitars are great.
--
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mislav matacic
RandPinc wrote:
>
> I'm considering a 1971 "handmade" Yairi classical. Is this a decent guitar? I
> think I can get it for a good price, but it would be sight unseen, so there is
> an element of risk, although it is represented as "in good condition." I'm
> willing to take the risk if I can find out something about the guitar, but I
> can't find a source of information, only for Alvarez-Yairi--and this is
> pre-Alvarez.
I'm very satisfied owner of Yairi cy140. Since this theme appear regularily in
this newsgroup, I attached my latest post about this subject, precisely about
the difference between cy118 and cy140. Hope you'll find this valuable.
Good luck
Mislav
--------------------------
References:
1
Brett,
Interesting thing is that a friend of mine had the chance to compare them since
he bought both, 140 for me and 118 for himself. He claims that the sound is very
similar if not the same and I intend to believe that the differences in the
sound between these two models wouldn't be greater then the differences between
two different pieces of the same model. This is BTW expectable since they differ
only in back/sides wood and since these parts are laminated, here we talk about
a very thin veneer of wood - other then that the guitars appear to be the same.
Yes, there's another difference in the inlays, 140 have inlays all the way
around the edge of the soundboard and also very different rosette. My opinion is
that 140 because of this jacaranda and classical inlays looks more like a
classical guitar and 118 with that mahogany more like a piece of furniture, so
I'm glad I've chosen 140 but that's just my personal taste. Don't be scared of
laminated back/sides - there are many serious luthiers, also among RMCG, that
believe that laminated back/sides are superior to solid since they have better
mechanical stability and the sound depends in the greatest deal on the
soundboard anyway. My opinion is these are fantastic guitars for the money, they
are EXTREMELY well built, thanks to Japanese meticulousness, so they look much
better then any Spanish guitar of the same price range that I've seen, also
better than many respectable luthier handmade guitars I've seen. The neck has
usual width (52mm) and is comfortable, but beware of the 664 mm scale - this
could present a problem, although my girlfriend who has quite small hand and
short fingers assures me that she can easilly play. Yes, another difference is
that 140 has ebony implant in the neck - 118 doesn't. Fingerboard is very smooth
(ebony) and finally the sound, well I would say 'typically cedar', bright and
explosive, yet has great basses. It appears as if you are listening your stereo
with loudness on - If that's what you like (I do), go get it, you won't regret.
Everyone that heard my guitar agree with me in these aspects. YET BE CAREFUL -
the people in Alvarez in St. Louis appear to not do their job correctly. They
are supposed to do fret leveling/polishing, saddle and nut adjustments and
installing electronics if you opt for that. I received my guitar with strings
that were too low (<3 mm on 12th fret), the nut was too low and frets had not
been levelled at all, so I had all types of buzzes. I had to arrange for these
things being repaired by luthier and now it sounds great. If I had known this I
would have bought guitar from Yairi directly - there is some German distributor
in Europe - I don't know if that's possible in US. In any case good luck and
enjoy your new guitar.
I attached few mails just to back up my opinion. There is a mail with some
pictures taken from the guy that sells 140 and 127 secondhand - perhaps he still
has them.
Mislav
Brett Ploessel wrote:
>
> >Is there anyone to compare Yairi cy118 and cy140? The description on
> >Alvarez site is the same for both instruments (solid
> >cedar/jacaranda/mahogany-ebony/scalloped braces).
>
> Mislav
>
> Did you ever get an answer to this question you posted last summer? I am
> considering purchasing a Yairi cy140 but I can't tell the differences
> between the two! The Alvarez web site has very little info on their
> guitars. If you would be so kind as to pass along any information you came
> up with I would be most grateful.
> Thanks
> -Brett
Subject:
Re: Yairi cy118 - any opinions?
Date:
Sat, 3 Jul 1999 19:15:09 -0700 (PDT)
From:
marc stick <pac...@yahoo.com>
To:
mis...@beer.com
--- mislav matacic <mis...@geocities.com> wrote:
> Mario,
>
> Thanks for your mail? Have you played 118 as opposed
> to 140? Are there
> big differences in sound, volume, balance, sustain,
> playability? How did
> you manage to buy spruce soundboard, when the
> specification from the
> site lists cedar as a tonewood?
>
> I would expect it to be better than Raimundo and
> similar brands, still
> I've never played any Rodriguez - is it something
> like Raimundo or
> better?
>
> Thanks and regards
> Mislav
> Hi
I NEVER PLAYED THE 180 BUT ,THERE IS A 500$ DIFFERENCE .i BOUGHT A
CEDAR ,IF I SAID SPRUCE I`M SORRY. I SUGGEST YOU PUT IN A BIT MORE
MONEY AND BUY THE 140 IT IS INCREDIBLE .IT IS THE CLOSEST
YOU`LL GET TO A LUTHIER GUITAR
iF YOU HAVE ANYMORE QUESTIONS E`MAIL ME
thanks
Mario Tenuta
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Subject:
CY118
Date:
Wed, 30 Jun 1999 15:20:23 -0500
From:
"Mai, Di DH SCC" <DM07...@MSXSCC.SHELL.COM>
To:
"'mis...@beer.com'" <mis...@beer.com>
Hi,
The CY118 is a very good instrument for intermediate level. The sound is
loud and warm, however does not have the "punch" of more expensive ones
(Jose Ramirez, Kohno, etc.). Be careful about your new one, make sure the
scale length is what you want (most Yairi's have 665mm scale length which is
a little too long for most people, I'd say "normal" is 650mm). The action
sometimes a little too high, but most of the time can be adjusted (not
always). The overall quality is good, probably best for its price range.
Anyway, before you buy, ask for the scale length, action (height of strings
at the 12th fret, 3-4mm is average), and most of all, do not pay more than
1000 for a new one and 500-600 for a good used one. Let me know if you need
more help.
Cheers,
D Mai
Subject:
Re: Yairi Electric Classical guitar
Date:
Tue, 06 Jul 1999 09:30:47 -0400
From:
"Michael Kankiewicz" <mich...@acsu.buffalo.edu>
To:
mis...@beer.com
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I am attaching four pictures.
One front shot and one back shot of the two guitars. Let me know if you're
still interested.
Michael
--On Thu, Jun 17, 1999 4:09 PM +0200 "mislav matacic" <mis...@geocities.com>
wrote:
> Michael,
>
> Do you have built-in electronics/pickup in 140?
>
> I'm worried about acoustical sound of 127ce with that thin body. Is the
> volume too low?
>
> I'm in Croatia, BUT I have few people in US that could arrange for
> paying and shipping the instrument.
>
> I guess these Yairi guitars must be pretty outstanding when you bought
> two of them?
>
> Thanks
> Mislav
>
>
> Michael Kankiewicz wrote:
>>
>> On Thu, 17 Jun 1999, mislav matacic wrote:
>>
>> > Was it cy140, or cy127ce?
>>
>> I have both. both are for sale - I just haven't played them in a while,
>> and I am now concentrating on jazz on an archtop.
>>
>> > What price would you ask? How old is it? Any scratches? Curved neck?
>>
>> I would have to check what the going prices are, but feel free to make an
>> offer. I'm not looking to make a killing or anything - just a reasonable
>> price. Both are in perfect condition. I bought them new maybe 8(?)
years
>> ago, but haven't played them for about 6 years. I can take some pictures
>> with my digital camera and email them to you if you want. Let me know.
>>
>> > Can you give me the following measures
>> >
>> > neck width at nut:
>> > neck width at 12th fret:
>> > neck circumference at nut:
>> > scale lenght:
>>
>> I would have to measure them when I get home (I'm at work right now), but
>> both are pretty much the standard classical measurements.
>>
>> > if cy127ce then
>> > body depth:
>>
>> A little thinner, maybe 3", but again, I'd have to measure when I get
>> home.
>>
>> > Thanks
>> > Mislav
>>
>> You're welcome :)
>> MK
>>
>> ps - Where are you?