Alvarez Advice

[kdp86]

Well you guys, if any of you have any experince with these guitars, I would love some feedback. I am really interested in Alvarez, and have decided to go with either the MD95 Rosewood Dread with vine inlay, all solids, or the DY 84, Yairi slope-shoulder rosewood. What I want to know, is if I should spring for the extra $300 to get the Yairi, or stick with the Masterworks series??? I know the Masterworks are gorgeous, and I've played the Mahogany one, and the DY 84, but really how different are they? If anyone has a MD95 or MD90, or has played one as compared to a Yairi, I would love to hear about it. Thanx guys.

[lalatingstrings]

i have wondered myself about the masterworks series.i own 2 yairi guitars (my lucy's) and an alvarez regent 12 string.i can tell you the alvarez regent is a sweet guitar especially for 300$ but it does not compare to the yairi's in tone and playibility.i have heard the masterworks are nice guitars,but that the yairi's are better.being as ive never played a masterworks i cant really say.but i can say i am in love with my yairi guitars.ive put alot of yairi freak out posts on this board cause i love em so much.and it's funny i never been a "brand name" type person.but i will say the yairi name stands for something.i know the yairi guitars are entirely hand made where as the regular alvarez guitars are done in a factory in china.dont know if that makes any difference to you.also i am pretty sure the quality of the tonewoods are better with the yairi guitars.if you cant actually get your hands on both to test them out i would go for the yairi.dont miss out on a wonderful playing experience.good luck.

[JasmineTea]

 

Originally posted by lalatingstrings ive put alot of yairi freak out posts on this board cause i love em so much.

Those were my favorite posts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

lalatingstrings, your freakouts are more than welcome here.

[The Armadillo of leprosy]

i have an Artist Series Alvarez and it plays/sounds/is great

 

so i can only imagine the masterworks and yairi being immaculate

 

this artist series i just bought is my 2nd alvarez and they were both great guitars.

 

[lalatingstrings]

oh thanx JT.i totally love ya!!!!!!!!

[guit30]

Go with Yairi, The masterworks are heavy instruments not being all that resonant, very pretty, personally, like the neck on my RD20S better than a Masterworks neck. I have only played a MD90. Very similar to Washburn's Flinthill special in a lot of ways

Jim

[adrifter2004]

The Masterworks series from Alvarez, are made in mainland China as far as I know.

The more expensive Yairi's are only made in Japan, as far as I know.

Am I wrong or right abour this?

The Yairi's are the better quality guitar.

[lalatingstrings]

yes you are right.the regular alvarez guitars are made in a factory in china ,where as the yairi guitars are handmade in japan by luthiers trained under kazuo yairi.and personally i do feel the yairi's are better quality.a laminate yairi cost more than a solid wood masterworks.why?i would imagine the tone wood used for the yairi's is better quality.it is said to be seasoned in an open air shelter as opposed to kiln.you can see pictures of the shelter at the kazuo yairi discussion group,i cant remember the exact link.ill find it and post it later,if anyone is interested they can just do a search for kazuo yairi and find it.there is alot of yairi information there.