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.
$2,199.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$183.25
- 8 x$274.88
Overall User Ratings (based on 14 ratings)
Submitted October 13, 2017 by buzz langley in dallas, TX
"k. yairi wy-1"
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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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Submitted August 22, 2021 by a customer from gmail.com
"The best guitar I have ever played"
This is best sounding, most easily playable guitar I have ever played! I own a Guild D55 and Martin 000-28EC and this guitar is better. My WY1 is from 1994 and aside from the common wear of having been played it is still perfect! The cedar top and clear pick guard give it a unique appearance. The feel is light in your hands. The hand carved neck seems to go from a soft-V shape near the headstock to a soft-C shape past the 5th fret. It makes playing up and down the neck so much more comfortable! And the tone... it is so sweet and mellow, but with the direct coupled bridge it really projects when strummed! I love this guitar, and I think you will, too!
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Submitted November 30, 2018 by Harry Monroe in Lansdale, PA
"Superb instrument!"
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I just received my Alvarez Yairi WY1. It is everything I was expecting, and more. The fit and finish is unmatched, and in my opinion, surpasses that of Martin and Taylor, of which I own several Martins, both USA made, and Mexico made, and one Taylor. It plays wonderfully, right out of the box. It arrived in tune, and perfectly set up. I have wanted a Yairi ever since watching the Youtube video about the Yairi factory, and seeing how they are made. You simply cannot find a better guitar, at that price point.
Musical Background:
Playing for 40 years, I own about 50 guitars, both electric and acoustic. Only jam at home, and like to collect guitars.
Musical Style:
Blues, rock, folk,
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Submitted May 30, 2020 by Dave M in Clarksville, VA
"Perfection!"
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This guitar is as close to perfection as a guitar can get. Incredible craftsmanship, unbelievable playability and aesthetically pleasing.
Musical Background:
45 years of playing guitar and singing and many many gigs.
Musical Style:
Easy listening (Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, etc).
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Submitted October 9, 2008 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Dizzying speed, hand-made, ya gotta try out one of these Bob Weir endorsed guitars."
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If somehow I was granted a lottery win, I would most probably go for one of those old guitars I see on the back pages of those guitar magazines simply because I could, but given my present situation, I cant see myself ever getting a replacement.
Sound
This guitar is light and delicate, perfect for fingerpicking. Sound reinforcement is old, (mine's from 1990), but less 'tinny' than newer Fishman-equipped guitars. It is my love, (sorry honey....but you're second!!)
Features
I run Elixr ultra-lights with this guitar and it is a dream. I had a Martin parlour-sized guitar made in 1889 until it was ripped off, and this guitar comes as close as anything I've ever encountered in reproducing the action and sound.
Ease of Use
With lights, it almost plays itself
Quality
Very well made with no flaws whatsoever. Afterall, it's a hand made guitar made by a Japanese craftsman who views each guitar as a prayer to God.
Value
It is as close as one can get to the perfect fingerpicking guitar. I play jazz and folk. It may not be a good flat-picking guitar, as the highs are emphasized over the lows.
Musical Background:
Pro-musician
Musical Style:
folk, jazz, blues, classical
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Submitted December 21, 2018 by Summer Peterson in Idaho Falls, ID
"Amazing Guitar"
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I have played for 54 years so I have had many guitars, including Martins, Taylors along with many different brands and styles. This Alvarez Yairi is everything I'd hoped for in a cedar top. First, not one flaw. Not even a tiny one. Playable right out of the case. I only did a 1/2 turn on the truss rod to lower the action a tad. No buzzing, fuzzing or dead spots. Every string on every fret rings. Intonation is as good as it gets. And the tone? Wow. I expected a beautiful tone with the cedar/rosewood combo, but I did not expect the volume. It's projection is great, especially for a "folk" guitar. Plugged and micked tone as good or better than any other I've heard or played. I believe its' better than my Taylor, which is pretty darn good. But, tone, sound, etc. can be very subjective. My biggest concern was what I was going to get from a guitar that I had never heard played. And you cant tell by video! When I started playing, both finger style and flat pick I was smiling ear to ear and knew I had made a good purchase decision. What else? Well, I got the Tobacco Sunburst and it's a real looker. The finish and appointments are flawless. Cost? Worth much more in my opinion. Holds it own against guitars costing a lot more. That's about it. Hope this helps in your decision, but I say just buy it.
Musical Background:
Played 54 years both professionally and home jam.
Musical Style:
Classic rock. James Taylor, Niel Young, Beatles, etc.
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Submitted December 18, 2011 by a customer from cox.net
"A fantastic instrument."
I will never sell this guitar.
Sound
The sound is very sweet. All strings are in balance as to volume.
Features
Materials and workmanship is as good as it gets. I can't think of another guitar that is better put together
Ease of Use
This guitar is very easy to play. The frets are very smooth. I had a little buzzing till I had it professionally setup. the intonation is excellent.
Quality
AS mentioned above. Terrific quality.
Value
I also have a Martin that cost more than this one but is harder to play. You get what you pay for and Yairis are handmade from selected and cured woods (at the factory). They are not overpriced.
Manufacturer Support
Never dealt with the company.
The Wow Factor
It is beautiful.
Musical Style:
folk, rock and blues
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Submitted December 22, 2018 by Summer Peterson in Idaho Falls, ID
"Amazing Guitar"
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I have played for 54 years so I have had many guitars, including Martins, Taylors along with many different brands and styles. This Alvarez Yairi is everything I'd hoped for in a cedar top. First, not one flaw. Not even a tiny one. Playable right out of the case. I only did a 1/2 turn on the truss rod to lower the action a tad. No buzzing, fuzzing or dead spots. Every string on every fret rings. Intonation is as good as it gets. And the tone? Wow. I expected a beautiful tone with the cedar/rosewood combo, but I did not expect the volume. It's projection is great, especially for a "folk" guitar. Plugged and micked tone as good or better than any other I've heard or played. I believe its' better than my Taylor, which is pretty darn good. But, tone, sound, etc. can be very subjective. My biggest concern was what I was going to get from a guitar that I had never heard played. And you cant tell by video! When I started playing, both finger style and flat pick I was smiling ear to ear and knew I had made a good purchase decision. What else? Well, I got the Tobacco Sunburst and it's a real looker. The finish and appointments are flawless. Cost? Worth much more in my opinion. Holds it own against guitars costing a lot more. That's about it. Hope this helps in your decision, but I say just buy it.
Musical Background:
Played 54 years both professionally and home jam.
Musical Style:
Classic rock. James Taylor, Niel Young, Beatles, etc.
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