K.Yairi YW800 Dreadnought Acoustic 1979
K.Yairi YW800, natural finish, made in Japan 1979. Kazuo Yairi began making guitars under his own name in the 1960s, setting up his workshop-style operation in mountainous Western Japan. He was famously obsessive about tonewoods, travelling the globe to buy and collect large swathes of the best guitar making timbers available anywhere. Unusually, they air dry and mill all their own timber on site: no kiln drying, no artificial aging, just decades exposed to the winds that blow straight from Siberia to the west. We've had a few YW500 models through from this era, and they're always a treat. This model sold for almost twice the yen, with a list price of JPY80,000. For context, a uni grad in Japan in 1979 typically earned around 138k/month, so this was a high end item. You get some fancy visual touches: big bold vertical logo, bound board, 9-ply binding allk around the body and board, ebony board and bridge, abalone hex inlays... fancy as hell. The headline spec here is the 'jacaranda' back and sides: that was 70s/80s Japan code for Brazilian rosewood. The bookmatched swirl grain on the back is outrageous, and there's a bunch more gorgeous grain on show on the sides too. The low end power on offer here is outstanding: dry, tight, super loud, amazing depth and response... heck. The midrange is dry and airy and the treble is brimming with detail and definition; it really does sound unreasonably good. If you're after a perfect example of vintage Japan craftsmanship, this is definitely the biz.
Model: K.Yairi YW800
Made: Japan, 1979, Gifu workshop
Serial: 22246
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: solid sitka spruce top, 2-ply laminate 'jacaranda' back and sides, square shoulder dreadnought shape, X-braced
Neck: genuine mahogany, ebony fretboard, 25.4" scale, 43mm nut, slim C shape
Weight: 2.065kg
Mods: none
Pickup: none
Accessories: vintage hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and treble side edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dents and rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples in the elbow area, back edge and middle of the body and some widespread minor rub wear. The sides have dimples in the elbow area and some scuffs on the bottom bout and shoulder. The front has dimples along the back and bottom edges and the elbow area as well as some play wear on the guard and shoulders.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only