K.Yairi SO-18, sunburst, made in Japan 2003. This is a gorgeous little guitar. Kazuo Yairi started making guitars under his own name in the 60s, and the company enjoys a cult following to this day. They still do things the old fashioned way: hand tools, dovetail joins, hand shaved bracing... they even mill and air dry their own timber, using the cold dry winds that hit Western Japan from Siberia. This little cutie is a a 00-size parlour style, with a very tightly grained solid spruce top and some lovely mahogany on the back and sides, paired with a comfy little slim C neck. It's small in size, but remarkably balanced in tone, with a generous tuneful bass, airy dry mids and a chirpy, eloquent top end. Yairi stuff tends to exhibit an enjoyable even response across the strings, and this is no exception: it's so crisp, clear and warm. This is a perfect little couch strummer and will record beautifully. Life is nice with a Kazuo!

Model: K. Yairi SO-18
Made: Japan, 2003
Serial: 10979
Finish: sunburst top, natural back and sides, gloss poly
Body: solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, '00' size
Neck:  mahogany one-piece inc headstock, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 1.7kg
Mods: none
Accessories: hard case; tools & manufacturer documents

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and bass side and some light scuffs on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples in the elbow area and along the bottom edge, as well as some light rub wear around the whole body. The sides have some dimples on the top shoulder and some scuffs in the bottom corner. The front has some dimples on both shoulders and in the elbow area, as well as play wear around the sound hole.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only