Alvarez WY1 Yairi Folk Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

With East Indian rosewood back and sides and a solid Western red cedar top, the Alvarez-Yairi WY1 truly sounds like a guitar with 50 years of refinement.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Western red cedar top Smooth and mellow, round sound
East Indian rosewood back and sides Rich low end; smooth mids; articulate highs
Mahogany neck Great sustain, strength, and warm tone
Rosewood fretboard Open, warm tone and smooth playing feel

The Alvarez-Yairi Masterworks instruments represent the ultimate crossroads of old-world traditional craftsmanship and modern construction techniques. After 50 years of refinement, the Yairi luthiers have constructed a guitar that embodies the magic so many players seek and yet few have yet to find: the delicate balance of roaring power and subtle, shimmering detail. The connection you'll have with these instruments can only be described as telepathic. Every input, no matter how dynamic, practically leaps out of the guitar like an arc of electricity. The experience will change your perspective on what an acoustic instrument should be.

The luthiers in the Yairi shop have learned a few things in 50 years - most importantly, the magic is nothing if you can't replicate it consistently, guitar after guitar. Part of that equation is a maniacal attention to detail. Another component is the use of modern construction techniques unique to Yairi instruments.

If you're going to redefine the idea of balanced tone, you've got to experiment. The Yairi luthiers started by building dozens of prototypes, each using a different bracing pattern. Through almost two years of testing, they gradually narrowed the field until they had settled on what everyone believed to be the most responsive, loudest, best-sounding guitar they had ever built. The bracing technique used in that guitar is now known as "FSTII," short for "forward-shifted, type 2." This unique bracing pattern is now found in all Yairi read more Masterworks instruments, and is at the core of their vibrant, explosive tone.

Part of what makes Yairi instruments so responsive is the direct-coupled bridge. Under the top, there is an ebony block with a flange that pulls the bridge plate and top. When inserted into the bridge, the strings pull up on this block, which couples the strings directly to the bridge plate and top. Simultaneously, the strings exert down-pressure on the saddle and bridge, ensuring that it cannot be pulled off the guitar. The complete system could literally function without any glue, since the string tension pulls the block tight to the top while also holding down the bridge, increasing sustain, volume, and resonance while creating extremely clear articulation between the strings.

Yairi instruments also use an extended dovetail neck block. This adds support to the area between the body joint and the end of the fingerboard. Combined with a longer adjustable truss rod, this results in a significant increase in stability all the way to the sound hole. This in turn has a dramatic impact on tonal balance, and gives these instruments their immediate, punch-in-the-chest response when you really rip into them.

This perfect collision of innovation and tradition is what Yairis are made of. Uniquely expressive instruments that'll give you the chills every time you pick them up, now & forever.

Features:

- Solid AA Western Red Cedar
- Cutaway Folk
- Mahogany neck
- D'Addario EXP strings
- Deluxe Wood Case included
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.
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- Top: Solid AA Western Red Cedar
- Back & Sides: Laminated Rosewood
- Shape: Cutaway Folk
- Neck: One piece mahogany
- Scale length: 25"
- Nut Width: 1 23/32"
- Neck Finish: 50/50 Semi gloss
- Bracing System: Hand-carved FST2 - Forward Shifted, Scalloped X
- Bridge: Ebony, Direct Coupled
- Inlays: Abalone & Mother of Pearl
- Fingerboard: Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay
- Headstock Plate: Rosewood
- Nut & Saddle: Real Bone
- Tuners: Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons
- Binding: Ivoroid
- Bridge Pins: Ebony
- Strings: D'Addario EXP
- Electronics: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up
- Accessories: Deluxe wood case
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Natural
Shipping Weight: 15 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 45 x 27 x 8 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): WY1
Sunburst
Shipping Weight: 15 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 45 x 27 x 8 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): WY1TS

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 314-727-4512

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (14 ratings)
Submitted October 13, 2017 by buzz langley in dallas, TX

"k. yairi wy-1"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
just bought and receive a beautiful wy-1 natural .these wy-1 were deemed the best hand made guitar in the 90's I didn't give them much thought after all there are lots of other brands --- then I bought my first one ,then another ,then another and a 4th,now I have 5,selling my taylor and breedloves,yes they are the best hand made guitar EVER made .once played nothing is as good. I LOVE MY WY-1's

Musical Background:

started playing at 9,i play guitar,paino, sax,brass insturments,i played professionallly in houston years in the 70's and 80's

Musical Style:

70's james taylor,neil young,elton john --only real music
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Natural

$2,199.00
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