K. Yairi STF-RM35 Parlour Acoustic Sunburst 2020
K.Yairi STF-RM35, Dark Brown Sunburst finish, made in Japan 2020. This is such a stunning little guitar. Kazuo Yairi begain building steel string guitars under his own name in the 1960s, doing everything the old fashioned way: air dried, hand selected timber, dovetail neck joins, hand-carved neck shapes... old world craftsmanship all around. This model was made as a limited run for major Japanese retailers Shimamura, and it featured some unusual Bolivian Rosewood for the back. It's amazing stuff: the bookmatched grain lines spreading concentrically from the centre lend this a mysterious, classy look from behind. The sides are solid Mahogany and the top is beautifully picked solid Spruce, and as with all Yairi stuff, the quality of the woodwork and finish is exemplary. The neck is a vintage-style soft-V shape, which feels great to me, and sits perfectly in the hands. It's a 25" scale, whereas most Yairi guitars we've had in this shape previously are a 25.5", so it's a little slinkier to play and a little darker and moodier in tone. There's an amazing balance across the six strings, so this fingerpicks with an outstanding clarity and articulation. The depth and complexity through the midrange and overall richness of the tone is very impressive. It's muy understanding that they hand rub these sunburst finishes, and this is a very slick one: a dark mocha fading to a rich tumeric gold. If I sound like I love this one, well... I do.
Model: K. Yairi STF-RM35
Made: Japan, 2020, Kani Gifu workshop
Serial: 81612
Finish: Dark Brown Sunburst, satin poly
Body: solid Sitka Spruce top, solid Mahogany sides, 2-ply laminate Bolivian Rosewood back
Neck: Mahogany, Rosewood fretboard, 43mm nut, 635mm/25" scale, soft V shape
Weight: 1.825kg
Mods: none
Pickup: none
Accessories: padded gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has minor scuffs on the top shoulder. The sides have minor rub wear in the elbow area and bottom shoulder. The front has minor rub wear in the elbow area and play wear around the sound hole.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is reasonably low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners phosphor bronze strings.
Fret life: 9/10, minor wear only