K. Yairi acoustic - thoughts on value please guys????

[OliSam]

Hi guys
Looking for a bit of guidance here.
got this acoustic.

Hoping for guidance on the approximate value. Ive done a lot of google checks but have not come up with anything.

beautiful guitar. 20283
2028420285


so new that it still has the plastic protection coating on the scratch plate!

details:
Make: K. Yairi
Model: W-1
serial: 32174
Year: 1984

pics below

[wokkaboy]

wow Oli it's in good condition for a 33 year old axe. Wait for someone like Zandit may have an idea or you could email pics to DB may know

[OliSam]

That's right Wokka.
It is mint condition.
And sounds like magic.
It says it was hand made in Japan.
Do you think that is really so??



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[wokkaboy]

sounds like a good score then Oli.
I have no knowledge of acoustics. There is a shop in Perth that specialises in Japanese guitars, but probably more electric than acoustic but you could try Adam from Strummers give him a call. 0410 151 565
What rough figure did you pay for it ?

[OliSam]

You may be surprised.
$100
18 years ago from a hoc shop in Kings X.



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[Zandit75]

Apart from myself, there's not many acoustic players here.
I think I've heard of the brand, but couldn't tell you where to find some value on it.
You could perhaps join up to the Acoustic Guitar Forum. It's US based, but has a huge active membership, and if no-one knows anything about it there, it's not worth knowing. http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

[pablopepper]

Top notch, high quality Japanese acoustic guitar. Very collectable. I've seen similar go from around the $700 mark to well over $1000.

[Zandit75]

Just did a quick google search, and there are some other models available on Reverb for over $2500!!
https://reverb.com/au/item/5522857-yairi-k-yairi-yw800-1975-brazillian-rosewood?gclid=Cj0KEQjwp83KBRC2kev0tZzExLkBEiQAYxY XOptXIiSpnNDhThHVVk4k2T8nuEybMuI1UqLU-JflZBkaAtAX8P8HAQ&pla=1

Sure, it's older, and uses Rosewood, but it's a good start!

[Fretworn]

I found a few W-1s from the same period going for about $600. K.Yairi's are very good, but I think the W-1 was the base model. The top models would easily be going for over $2000.

[ricklt]

K. Yairi was a Japanese luthier who built guitars for Alvarez. Also under his own label. Very high quality. He has passed away some time ago. I think it is legit. They are priced on eBay from 1100-2500. You scored big time.

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[ricklt]

They were handmade.

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[OliSam]

thanks heaps guys.
Ive got a bit more research to do then and a few phone calls.

great leads.
thanks again.

[Simon Barden]

Yes, a very good brand. Almost bought one a few years back after trying one, but there were very few retailers in the UK that did them (probably still the case) and when I had the money, I couldn't find a retailer. They often had a split bridge and saddle pin arrangement (a block for each) which I liked.

The big question now is, why are you selling it?

[OliSam]

Yes, a very good brand. Almost bought one a few years back after trying one, but there were very few retailers in the UK that did them (probably still the case) and when I had the money, I couldn't find a retailer. They often had a split bridge and saddle pin arrangement (a block for each) which I liked.

The big question now is, why are you selling it?

Good question Simon.
Trying to sell the one I have worth the most.
Clearing space of unused valuables.
I'm not a collector and never was.
So rationally it is not such a tough decision.


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[wazkelly]

I have a Daion hand made in Japan Acoustic from same era and yours probably retailed for around $400 - $500 at that time as mine was about $300 and perceived to have been not as good but still better than a lot of mass produced stuff. The tone is amazing and a very slim neck which feels more like an electric than acoustic. There were some very well made in Japan guitars around that time and I think K Yairi did a 9 string during mid 1980's too which was pretty radical back then.

At that price I reckon you stole it.

Big mystery is how much is someone willing to pay for it now?

[Tweaky]

I've got a K.Yari of the same vintage, as one poster already mentioned, they were imported and distributed in Australia by a small guitar shop in Sydney's Kings Cross in the early to mid 80's

They are excellent guitars, the workmanship is top notch, the fretboard and fretting is to die for, and great to use as a comparison of what you should be aiming for with your kit builds.

There have been 3 Yari's, two were brothers, and one is a son of one of the brothers, the K.Yari's are the most collectable.
The Yari Alverez were made for the USA market.

Plenty of them around in shops in Japan, and like most secondhand goods bought from Japan, usually found in close to mint condition.
Those that know the brand are usually the people in the know, and actually search them out, as the are as good as a guitar as you are going to get, they were built light and are very responsive, not like the mass produced guitar you usually find, which are built heavier, more for warranty issues rather than sound.

That Martin copy would probably be worth around AUS$600-700 with case considering it's condition.

[chrissyinbkk]

I like watching guitar factory vids, so found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXiSh9p27gs
They make it look so easy, think the guy doing the spraying needed a mask though..
I'd love go there to watch in person, they sure look as though they actually care

[Tweaky]

I have, and still am, waiting for, a K.Yari 12 string guitar at a reasonable price to appear on Ebay.

I don't like my chances.

[Terri]

This reply is probably out of date, but I too, have a K-Yari W1 1983 model. If you want it, you will have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. Bought it new, from a music teacher friend for $200. It was too expensive for his students back when I bought it, in 1986 & had been langushing in his display case for those three years. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Sweet sound and eminently playable. Love my W1 and it's in almost brand new codition, although, not quite as pristine as those photos above. I believe the value for a W1 in that condition would be a couple of grand, given their rarity for sale.

[SPMorgan]

Hi guys
Looking for a bit of guidance here.
got this acoustic.

Hoping for guidance on the approximate value. Ive done a lot of google checks but have not come up with anything.

beautiful guitar. 20283
2028420285


so new that it still has the plastic protection coating on the scratch plate!

details:
Make: K. Yairi
Model: W-1
serial: 32174
Year: 1984

pics below
I have a 1984 WIS Tw (12 string). The BEST guitar I have ever owned. Paid $500 in 1990. There was a 6 string went on Ebay a few years ago for $800, which in my opinion was drastically underpriced. I would keep it and enjoy it. They are handmade and K Yairi over saw each build and also signed the label. The only issue I have is that I do not want to butcher it to instal a pre amp. Only saw this post today hence the late comment.

[SPMorgan]

Very hard to get info about them. There was an expert on them but his page seems to have disappeared. The 12 string, may have been alimited run for teh Australian and Canadian market according to him as he could find no info on them. he did give details of the timbers, but they are on a dead laptop in my shed. Lovely guitar to play and every one who hears is amazed by the tone.