Members kermit82801 Posted October 25, 2006 Members Posted October 25, 2006 Hey everyone, I'm new here and this is my first post. I've been playing off and on since the '70s. Nothing super serious, just self taught. I'm really itching to get back to playing and improving this time... not just rehashing over stuff I've played all these years. I've owned a ton of lower end guitars over the years, Sigma, Ibanez, Ovation (a really nice early 70's one), Alverez... and this time I really want to get a higher end git to hang on to (well, higher end for me... around $1000). I've played some Taylors... love the 5 series... but they are a bit out of my reach at the moment. I like Larrivees too. I'm looking at a great deal on a new Alverez-Yairi DYM 85 and wanted to know if anyone has played one before? I've been told they are very close to a Martin D-18, but with a better mid-high range sound. I'll be buying this one over the internet (I know... but there aren't many stores around to test drive a variety of guitars around here). I'm just getting as much information as I can. I'm planning on taking some professional lessons this time around and I want to get something that I can grow into musically. I'm a fingerpicker, but like a lot of differenty styles/types of music. I don't want to limit myself. Thanks for any advice you guys can provide. Cheers! Alan
Members kermit82801 Posted October 27, 2006 Author Members Posted October 27, 2006 Nobody has seen one of these? I knew they were relatively new... but thought someone might have played one in a shop.
Members recordingtrack1 Posted October 27, 2006 Members Posted October 27, 2006 I owned a DY55 for several years. Excellent instrument. That is as close as I can come to the 85. I'm relatively sure yours is a good guitar. My 55 had lam b/s with solid sitka top. Sounded great and played and looked like a Martin. When I got rid of it (dumb mistake) it still was perfectly playable, though a little beat up from hauling it around. It was my main acoustic player for about 10 years. If you really like the Yairi, I do not believe you will be making a mistake. RT:)
Members kermit82801 Posted October 27, 2006 Author Members Posted October 27, 2006 Thanks RT. It really looks like a decent guitar... and if I can get it at this price it'll be a steal. I just got burned online once and am a bit reluctant. The auction ends this afternoon. We'll see... Cheers! Alan
Members Tony Burns Posted October 27, 2006 Members Posted October 27, 2006 Kermit - Welcome to the forum !, theres alot of really nice folks here . Ive also been playing on and off from the seventies and within the past year i also have been increasing my playing time as well as working on being a better player - and having a fun time doing it - When we were buying guitars back in the late seventies , you could get a Nice Martin or a Guild for 3-4 hundred used , now it seems there about five to ten times as much as they were back then , Alvarez are great guitars - and even better if you find what you want used , check out the Acoustic price guide ( which is under 20 bucks ) for your guitars used price , many alvarez Yairi's go for about a third of what they originally sold for - which makes them a bargain on todays market - another though might be to buy a used Guild or Martin - you can always sell them for what you bought them for -( when you buy them used ), again check the Acoustic guitar price guide -- i got mine from Amazon -- hope this helps a little , and you find what your looking for !! Tony B.
Members recordingtrack1 Posted October 27, 2006 Members Posted October 27, 2006 I guess I'm just lucky because I didn't get only a third of what I paid for my Yairi, Even though it was a little beat up. I bought it for $400 in 1984 and sold it for $400 in 1996 or 1997, I don't remember exactly. RT
Members draelyc Posted October 27, 2006 Members Posted October 27, 2006 I have a Yairi DY-52 that's my main acoustic, and so far, it's the best sounding and (almost more importantly) best feeling (most comfortable to play) acoustic I've come across. Great action, rich tones, I can't say enough good things about it. Had I the money lying around, I'd buy another Yairi on name alone, just from my experience with this one, fwiw.
Members Tony Burns Posted October 27, 2006 Members Posted October 27, 2006 I guess I'm just lucky because I didn't get only a third of what I paid for my Yairi, Even though it was a little beat up. I bought it for $400 in 1984 and sold it for $400 in 1996 or 1997, I don't remember exactly. RT Rt - thats 13 years , thats sound about right , the way prices of guitars has risen since the eighties - I know the Greven that i bought new back in 1981-82 , now would cost about 7-8 thousand ( or more ) - even thou at the time it cost me about 1100 , I also bought my Guild D-55 (its a 1971) used around 1976 , think it cost me 350 , that same guitar today per Blue book used runs around 2000 -I personnaly like Alvarez Yairi's , think their a really nice guitar , but they take a beating on the used market - which stinks if your selling one and great if your buying one . I think their a definite best buy for used instruments -
Members recordingtrack1 Posted October 27, 2006 Members Posted October 27, 2006 Yeah, Tony I never seem to grab the ones that are going to jump tremendously up in value. It just ain't in the cards or something. I usually am lucky enough to get my money back and maybe a buck or two extra but that is about it! One of these days. . .!!! RT:D
Members kermit82801 Posted October 27, 2006 Author Members Posted October 27, 2006 Looks like I won my Yairi DYM 85! I'm stoked... now I just have to wait for it to ship. I'll post a mini review when it arrives and make sure to post a review too. Thanks guys for the information. I noticed that Yairi's took a hit on the used market. I got this one cheap enough that maybe I won't loose much (if any) if I have to sell. I used to go through guitars WAY too fast... but I just hadn't found anything that I really liked. Hopefully this'll be the one! Cheers, Alan
Members kermit82801 Posted November 5, 2006 Author Members Posted November 5, 2006 My Yairi DYM 85 arrived via UPS on Tuesday (I sat at home ALL day long... UPS arrived at 5:00 p.m.). The guitar is beautiful. It has a satin finish spruce top with Kihada sides and back. It is a real subdued look. It is really put together well and way lighter than I expected it to be. It has a 1 11/16" nut width. I'm having a bit of trouble fingering chords (I might need a wider nut witdth for my hands)... but that could be because I haven't played for so long. The action also feels a little high... but again, my fingers don't have any callouses yet either. I've got to get someone else to check and see if it is set high. My grip strength in my hands isn't the greatest and I need a low action. The guy I bought it from (dealer) said he'd set it as low as he could... but I don't know if he got a chance to before shipping or not. The sound is amazing and is getting better each day. I think it dried out during its trip from Kentucky. I put a soapdish (holes drilled in the top) with a damp sponge in the case and it has brightened up the sound from the first day. It could just be my imaginatin too... but it does sound better. It is a keeper... as long as I can get used to the witdth of the neck. Now I just have to get back to taking lessons! Alan
Members recordingtrack1 Posted November 5, 2006 Members Posted November 5, 2006 Congratulations Kermit! I am envious. I fondly remember the old Yairi. Never a dull moment with that thing and it was truly a harmonically sound instrument. Break a String, Man!!!! (Well, that's better than saying, "break a leg!") RT
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